And Elisha told them, "This is not the way, and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will take you to the man you are seeking." And he led them to Samaria. And Elisha said to themElisha, the prophet, plays a central role in this narrative. His name in Hebrew, אֱלִישָׁע (Elisha), means "God is salvation." This reflects his mission and the divine authority he carries. As a prophet, Elisha is God's mouthpiece, and his words and actions are direct manifestations of God's will. Historically, Elisha succeeded Elijah and continued his work, performing miracles and guiding the people of Israel. His presence in this verse underscores the theme of divine intervention and guidance. This is not the way
The phrase "This is not the way" can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual direction. In Hebrew, the word for "way" is דֶּרֶךְ (derekh), which often signifies a path or journey, both physically and spiritually. Elisha's statement can be interpreted as a call to discernment, urging the people to seek God's path rather than their own. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of following God's guidance rather than relying on human understanding. and this is not the city
Elisha's declaration that "this is not the city" serves as a reminder of the importance of spiritual perception over physical sight. The city, in this context, represents a place of destination or fulfillment. Historically, cities were centers of power and refuge. Elisha's words challenge the audience to look beyond the immediate and visible, encouraging them to trust in God's ultimate plan and purpose. Follow me
The command "Follow me" is a call to obedience and trust. In the biblical context, following a prophet or leader often meant aligning oneself with God's will. This phrase echoes Jesus' later call to His disciples, emphasizing the importance of discipleship and faith. It invites the audience to step out in faith, trusting in God's provision and direction. and I will lead you to the man you are seeking
Elisha's promise to "lead you to the man you are seeking" highlights the role of the prophet as a guide and mediator. In Hebrew culture, seeking often implies a quest for truth or divine revelation. Elisha's assurance reflects God's faithfulness in providing guidance and answers to those who earnestly seek Him. It also underscores the theme of divine providence, where God uses His servants to fulfill His purposes. And he led them to Samaria
The final phrase, "And he led them to Samaria," is significant both geographically and theologically. Samaria was the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel and often a place of conflict and idolatry. By leading them to Samaria, Elisha not only redirects their physical journey but also symbolically brings them to a place of confrontation with their spiritual state. This act serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the unexpected ways He fulfills His plans. Historically, this event demonstrates God's power to protect and deliver His people, even in the midst of their enemies. Persons / Places / Events 1. ElishaA prophet of God, successor to Elijah, known for his miracles and guidance to the kings of Israel. 2. The ArameansThe army of Aram, who were enemies of Israel and were seeking to capture Elisha. 3. SamariaThe capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, where Elisha led the blinded Aramean army. 4. DothanThe city where Elisha was initially located and where the Aramean army was struck with blindness. 5. The King of IsraelThe ruler of Israel at the time, who was involved in the events following the Arameans' arrival in Samaria. Teaching Points Divine Guidance and ProtectionElisha's leadership under God's direction shows that God provides guidance and protection even in seemingly impossible situations. Spiritual Blindness vs. Physical BlindnessThe Arameans' physical blindness serves as a metaphor for spiritual blindness, reminding us of the need for spiritual sight and discernment. God's Sovereignty in ConflictThe event demonstrates God's control over nations and armies, encouraging believers to trust in His sovereignty during conflicts. Mercy Over JudgmentElisha's decision to lead the Arameans to Samaria rather than destroy them highlights the importance of mercy and grace over immediate judgment. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Elisha's response to the Aramean army reflect his trust in God's protection and guidance? 2. In what ways can we experience spiritual blindness today, and how can we seek God's truth to open our eyes? 3. How does the account of Elisha and the Arameans encourage us to respond to our enemies with mercy and grace? 4. What are some modern-day situations where we can apply the principle of trusting in God's sovereignty during conflicts? 5. How can we discern God's guidance in our lives, similar to how Elisha led the Arameans to Samaria? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Kings 6:17This verse describes Elisha's prayer for his servant's eyes to be opened to see the heavenly army, highlighting God's protection. Acts 9:8Saul's temporary blindness on the road to Damascus parallels the Arameans' blindness, illustrating divine intervention. John 9:39-41Jesus speaks about spiritual blindness, which can be related to the physical and spiritual blindness of the Arameans. Psalm 27:11A prayer for guidance and truth, similar to Elisha's role in leading the Arameans. People Aram, Benhadad, Ben-hadad, Elisha, Shaphat, SyriansPlaces Dothan, Jordan River, Samaria, SyriaTopics Bring, Elisha, Eli'sha, Follow, Lead, Leadeth, Led, Road, Samaria, Sama'ria, Searching, Seek, TownDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 6:18-23 1416 miracles, nature of Library Young Man! a Prayer for You
THIS YOUNG MAN waited upon a prophet: he could not have had a more instructive occupation; yet his eyes needed to be opened. He was well disposed towards good things, for the tone of his language to his master shows that he was heartily at one with him; but his eyes were not yet half opened. Being in great alarm for his master's safety, he ran to him to warn him: good servants should be their master's best friends. In return, his believing master prays for him. If we desire the good of our servants, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891Of the Practice of Piety in Fasting.
There are divers kinds of fasting--First, A constrained fast, as when men either have not food to eat, as in the famine of Samaria (2 Kings vi. 25;) or, having food, cannot eat it for heaviness or sickness, as it befel them who were in the ship with St. Paul (Acts xxvii. 33.) This is rather famine than fasting. Secondly, A natural fast, which we undertake physically, for the health of our body. Thirdly, A civil fast, which the magistrate enjoins for the better maintenance of the commonwealth. Fourthly, …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Whether a Mann is Bound to Correct his Prelate?
Objection 1: It would seem that no man is bound to correct his prelate. For it is written (Ex. 19:12): "The beast that shall touch the mount shall be stoned," [*Vulg.: 'Everyone that shall touch the mount, dying he shall die.'] and (2 Kings 6:7) it is related that the Lord struck Oza for touching the ark. Now the mount and the ark signify our prelates. Therefore prelates should not be corrected by their subjects. Objection 2: Further, a gloss on Gal. 2:11, "I withstood him to the face," adds: "as …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica The Absolute Godhood of God is Seen in Administration
God not only created everything, but everything which He created is subject to His immediate control. God rules over the works of His hands. God governs the creatures He has made. God reigns with universal dominion. When He pleased, the sun and moon stood still (Josh. 10:12, 13); and at a word from Him the sun went backward ten degrees on the dial of Ahaz (Is. 38:8). At His command the Red Sea ceased to flow, and at His command it resumed its normal course (Ex. 14). In response to the prayer of Elisha, …
Arthur W. Pink—The Godhood of God The Christian Convert Warned Of, and Animated against those Discouragements which He must Expect to Meet when Entering on a Religious Course.
1. Christ has instructed his disciples to expect opposition and difficulties in the way to heaven.--2. Therefore a more particular view of them is taken, as arising from the remainder of indwelling sin.--3. From the world, and especially from former sinful companions.--4. From the temptations and suggest ions of Satan.--5, 6. The Christian is animated and encouraged, by various considerations, to oppose them; particularly by the presence of God; the aids of Christ; the example of others, who, though …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul In the Creation of the World, and all Things in It, the True God Distinguished by Certain Marks from Fictitious Gods.
1. The mere fact of creation should lead us to acknowledge God, but to prevent our falling away to Gentile fictions, God has been pleased to furnish a history of the creation. An impious objection, Why the world was not created sooner? Answer to it. Shrewd saying of an old man. 2. For the same reason, the world was created, not in an instant, but in six days. The order of creation described, showing that Adam was not created until God had, with infinite goodness made ample provision for him. 3. The …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion The Helpless State of the Sinner under Condemnation.
1, 2. The sinner urged to consider how he can be saved from this impending ruin.--3. Not by any thing he can offer.--4. Nor by any thing he can endure.--5. Nor by any thing hr can do in the course of future duty.--6-8. Nor by any alliance with fellow-sinners on earth or in hell.--9. Nor by any interposition or intercession of angels or saints in his favor. Hint of the only method to be afterwards more largely explained. The lamentation of a sinner in this miserable condition. 1. SINNER, thou hast …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul Prayer
But I give myself unto prayer.' Psa 109: 4. I shall not here expatiate upon prayer, as it will be considered more fully in the Lord's prayer. It is one thing to pray, and another thing to be given to prayer: he who prays frequently, is said to be given to prayer; as he who often distributes alms, is said to be given to charity. Prayer is a glorious ordinance, it is the soul's trading with heaven. God comes down to us by his Spirit, and we go up to him by prayer. What is prayer? It is an offering …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments May one Lose the Blessing?
The question trembles from many a lip--If I get the blessing, may I lose it? Most certainly. But, glory be to God! He has made ample provision for failure. There is no reason why we should fail; God has made ample provision against failure; we must not expect to fail; but in case we do fail, provision has been made. The most prolific cause of loss is disobedience--disobedience either to one of God's written commands, or to the inward promptings of His Holy Spirit. "The Holy Ghost whom God hath …
John MacNeil—The Spirit-Filled Life Meditations for the Morning.
1. Almighty God can, in the resurrection, as easily raise up thy body out of the grave, from the sleep of death, as he hath this morning wakened thee in thy bed, out of the sleep of nature. At the dawning of which resurrection day, Christ shall come to be glorified in his saints; and every one of the bodies of the thousands of his saints, being fashioned like unto his glorious body, shall shine as bright as the sun (2 Thess. i. 10; Jude, ver. 14; Phil. iii. 21; Luke ix. 31;) all the angels shining …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Letter xix (A. D. 1127) to Suger, Abbot of S. Denis
To Suger, Abbot of S. Denis He praises Suger, who had unexpectedly renounced the pride and luxury of the world to give himself to the modest habits of the religious life. He blames severely the clerk who devotes himself rather to the service of princes than that of God. 1. A piece of good news has reached our district; it cannot fail to do great good to whomsoever it shall have come. For who that fear God, hearing what great things He has done for your soul, do not rejoice and wonder at the great …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux The Roman Pilgrimage: the Miracles which were Wrought in It.
[Sidenote: 1139] 33. (20). It seemed to him, however, that one could not go on doing these things with sufficient security without the authority of the Apostolic See; and for that reason he determined to set out for Rome, and most of all because the metropolitan see still lacked, and from the beginning had lacked, the use of the pall, which is the fullness of honour.[507] And it seemed good in his eyes[508] that the church for which he had laboured so much[509] should acquire, by his zeal and labour, …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh A Cloud of Witnesses.
"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.... By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Kings 6:19 NIV2 Kings 6:19 NLT2 Kings 6:19 ESV2 Kings 6:19 NASB2 Kings 6:19 KJV
2 Kings 6:19 Commentaries
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