2 Kings 6 15

2 Kings 6:15 kjv

And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?

2 Kings 6:15 nkjv

And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?"

2 Kings 6:15 niv

When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?" the servant asked.

2 Kings 6:15 esv

When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?"

2 Kings 6:15 nlt

When the servant of the man of God got up early the next morning and went outside, there were troops, horses, and chariots everywhere. "Oh, sir, what will we do now?" the young man cried to Elisha.

2 Kings 6 verses

2 Kings 6 15 Meaning

The verse describes the alarming discovery made by Elisha’s servant: upon rising early, he saw a powerful Aramean army with horses and chariots completely surrounding the city of Dothan. This immediate, overwhelming sight filled him with fear, leading him to cry out to Elisha about their seemingly hopeless predicament. It vividly sets the scene of human terror confronted by overwhelming earthly power, laying the groundwork for the ensuing divine revelation.

2 Kings 6 15 Context

This verse is pivotal in the narrative of Elisha and the Aramean incursions into Israel. King Ben-hadad of Aram was consistently frustrated because Elisha would supernaturally reveal his battle plans to the King of Israel, enabling Israel to avoid his ambushes. Believing one of his own officials was betraying him, Ben-hadad discovered the true source was Elisha. Enraged, he dispatched a powerful military force to Dothan, where Elisha was located, to capture the prophet. Verse 15 details the scene from the perspective of Elisha's young, uninitiated servant who is suddenly confronted with this massive, hostile army, creating an immediate sense of crisis and fear. It directly precedes Elisha's profound prayer and the opening of the servant's eyes to the unseen, divine reality.

2 Kings 6 15 Word analysis

• When the servant:
  • מְשָׁרֵת (měshārēṯ): Refers to a "servant," "attendant," or "minister." This term denotes someone who personally serves a leader, often implying a close relationship and direct assistance. It highlights the youth or inexperience of this specific attendant in spiritual matters, contrasting with the seasoned prophet Elisha. His personal connection to the man of God sets him up as an eyewitness.
• of the man of God:
  • אִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים (ʼīsh hāʼĕlōhīm): A standing title for a prophet in Israel, particularly applied to Moses, Samuel, Elijah, and Elisha. It signifies someone divinely commissioned and intimately connected with God, acting as His spokesperson and agent. This title underscores Elisha’s authority and divine backing, which is central to the upcoming supernatural deliverance.
• rose early in the morning:
  • וַיַּשְׁכֵּם (vayyashkēm): Literally, "and he made himself early" or "and he arose early." This common Hebrew idiom emphasizes diligence and a swift start to the day. It also creates a vivid scene of dawn's quiet being shattered by a shocking discovery. This early awakening intensifies the surprise and immediate impact of seeing the army.
• and went out:
  • Implies leaving the immediate shelter of the house, perhaps to perform daily duties, further accentuating his sudden exposure to the full, overwhelming extent of the Aramean threat.
• behold:
  • וְהִנֵּה (wĕhinnēh): This Hebrew particle is an interjection often translated "behold!" It serves to draw immediate attention to something new, unexpected, or startling. Here, it conveys the sudden and dramatic nature of the servant’s discovery, signaling surprise, shock, and alarm. It heightens the tension and sets the stage for a miraculous intervention.
• an army with horses and chariots:
  • חַיִל סוּס וָרֶכֶב (chayil sûs wāreḵeḇ): Chayil typically means "strength," "might," or "valor," often used to refer to a military force. "Horses and chariots" represent the pinnacle of ancient military power and offensive might. These were the tanks of the ancient world, signifying overwhelming numbers, speed, and destructive capability. For the servant, this represents an insurmountable force. It also provides an indirect polemic, as other biblical texts contrast trust in "horses and chariots" with trust in the Lord.
• had surrounded the city:
  • סֹבֵב אֶת־הָעִיר (sōḇēḇ ’eṯ-hāʿîr): "Surrounded" indicates complete encirclement, leaving no apparent way of escape. This visually conveys the city's (and the servant’s) entrapment and vulnerability. The psychological effect of being surrounded by such a formidable enemy would have been immense, leading directly to the servant's fearful cry in the next part of the verse (not included in the requested focus but integral to understanding his reaction).

2 Kings 6 15 Bonus section

The immediate geographical context of Dothan, a small Israelite town, serves to highlight the enormity of the Aramean response: a vast army dispatched to capture a single prophet. This disproportionate show of force by the Aramean king underlines his desperation and recognition of Elisha's potent influence on their war efforts. Furthermore, the scene vividly illustrates the difference in perception between someone operating solely on sensory data (the servant) and someone with spiritual discernment (Elisha). The servant's cry, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?" (though just outside the scope of this verse's literal wording, it is implicitly his next thought), perfectly captures the human instinct to despair when faced with an existential threat perceived through limited, physical eyes. The entire scenario is crafted to underscore that there is a spiritual reality far greater and more powerful than anything visible to the naked eye.

2 Kings 6 15 Commentary

2 Kings 6:15 dramatically portrays the common human reaction to overwhelming and immediate threat. The servant’s early rise and subsequent discovery highlight the suddenness and inescapable nature of the danger. The Aramean "army with horses and chariots" represents the zenith of earthly military power, a visible and tangible force designed to intimidate and crush. The servant, focused on the visible realm, naturally perceived their situation as hopeless, embodying the fear that arises when human limitations meet seemingly insuperable obstacles. This fear is a testament to the power of what can be seen and physically experienced. The verse functions as a critical setup for the ensuing revelation of God's unseen, superior power, establishing a profound contrast between human sight and divine insight, and between earthly might and heavenly protection.