The Arameans Plot to Capture Elisha

8 Now the king of Aram was warring against Israel; and he 1counseled with his servants saying, “In such and such a place shall be my camp.”

9 aThe man of God sent word to the king of Israel saying, “Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Arameans are coming down there.”

10 The king of Israel sent to the place about which the man of God had told him; thus he warned him, so that he guarded himself there, 1more than once or twice.

11 Now the heart of the king of Aram was enraged over this thing; and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you tell me which of us is for the king of Israel?”

12 One of his servants said, “No, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.”

13 So he said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and take him.” And it was told him, saying, “Behold, he is in aDothan.”

14 He sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city.

15 Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! 1What shall we do?”

16 So he 1answered, “aDo not fear, for bthose who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “aO Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” And the Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of bhorses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

18 When they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the Lord and said, “Strike this 1people with blindness, I pray.” So He astruck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.

19 Then Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, nor is this the city; follow me and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” And he brought them to Samaria.

20 When they had come into Samaria, Elisha said, “O aLord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.” So the Lord opened their eyes and they saw; and behold, they were in the midst of Samaria.

21 Then the king of Israel when he saw them, said to Elisha, “aMy father, shall I 1kill them? Shall I 1kill them?”

22 He 1answered, “You shall not 2kill them. Would you 2akill those you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? bSet bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master.”

23 So he prepared a great feast for them; and when they had eaten and drunk he sent them away, and they went to their master. And athe marauding bands of Arameans did not come again into the land of Israel.