2 Kings 6:15–24

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.

The Siege of Samaria—Cannibalism

24 Now it came about after this, that aBen-hadad king of Aram gathered all his army and went up and besieged Samaria.