2 Kings 6 21

2 Kings 6:21 kjv

And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite them? shall I smite them?

2 Kings 6:21 nkjv

Now when the king of Israel saw them, he said to Elisha, "My father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?"

2 Kings 6:21 niv

When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, "Shall I kill them, my father? Shall I kill them?"

2 Kings 6:21 esv

As soon as the king of Israel saw them, he said to Elisha, "My father, shall I strike them down? Shall I strike them down?"

2 Kings 6:21 nlt

When the king of Israel saw them, he shouted to Elisha, "My father, should I kill them? Should I kill them?"

2 Kings 6 verses

2 Kings 6 21 Meaning

2 Kings 6:21 describes the King of Israel's immediate reaction upon seeing the Aramean army, whom Elisha had miraculously led blind into the midst of Samaria. The king, realizing he had an entire enemy force defenseless before him, asked Elisha if he should kill them, repeating the question for emphasis. Elisha's response, given in the subsequent verse, entirely negates the king's expectation, revealing a divine strategy centered on mercy and provision rather than conquest and slaughter.

2 Kings 6 21 Context

This verse is situated in a highly active period of Elisha's ministry, specifically during ongoing conflicts between Aram (Syria) and Israel under King Jehoram. Earlier in 2 Kings 6, the Aramean king had repeatedly sent forces to capture Elisha, whose prophetic warnings consistently thwarted Aramean surprise attacks on Israel. After these failures, the Aramean king sent a large army to Dothan to seize Elisha. In response, Elisha prayed, and God struck the Aramean soldiers with blindness (2 Kgs 6:18). Elisha then led this blinded, formidable enemy force, who were unaware of their destination, straight into the heart of Samaria, the capital of Israel. The sudden appearance of a helpless, entire Aramean army within his capital immediately presented the King of Israel with a perceived opportunity to strike a decisive blow against his persistent foe, prompting the eager question of 2 Kings 6:21.

2 Kings 6 21 Word analysis

• And the king of Israel: מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (melekh Yisrael). Refers to King Jehoram, son of Ahab. His identification highlights the political and military authority eager to exploit an unexpected advantage. His actions and questions reflect typical royal military strategy of the time, where capturing an enemy army would inevitably lead to their slaughter to ensure victory and prevent future threat.
• saw them: The sight of the blinded Aramean soldiers inside Samaria was shocking and astonishing, a clear sign of divine intervention, though the king initially focused on the military advantage.
• he asked Elisha: אֶל־אֱלִישָׁ֔ע (el-Elisha). The king, though holding supreme earthly power, recognized Elisha's spiritual authority. His reliance on Elisha, albeit perhaps opportunistic, underscores the prophet's significant role as a conduit of divine power and wisdom, even guiding national policy in critical moments.
• My father, אָבִ֖י (avi): This is a term of profound respect and honor, typically used for a mentor, a superior, or a spiritual elder. It implies a recognition of Elisha's patriarchal authority and unique spiritual standing above the king, acknowledging the source of the miracle. The king isn't seeking a military consultant; he's seeking guidance from someone acting on behalf of God.
• shall I strike them down? הַאֲכֶּ֑ה (ha'akeh). The Hebrew verb (נכה, nakah) means to strike, smite, beat, wound, or kill. Here, it clearly implies "slaughter" or "put to death." This was the expected practice for defeated enemy combatants, especially in this context where Israel and Aram were in continuous conflict.
• Shall I strike them down? הַאֲכֶּה־לִּשְׁלֹ֥שָׁה עָשָׂר֙ גָּמַ֖ל. The king repeats the question, expressing his eager anticipation, disbelief at the situation, and desire for confirmation to act. The repetition emphasizes his excitement and certainty about the "correct" course of action from a military perspective—namely, to eliminate the threat. This repeated question sets the stage for Elisha's surprising counter-instruction, highlighting the divergence between human military expectation and divine mercy. The repetition of "shall I strike down" is rhetorical, aiming for an affirmative answer to fulfill what he saw as an obvious tactical victory.
• them: Referring to the entire contingent of Aramean soldiers led into Samaria.

2 Kings 6 21 Bonus section

• The episode challenges the typical "victory" narrative of ancient warfare, where the complete annihilation of the enemy was a sign of a strong nation and a powerful deity. Elisha’s command presents a theological counter-narrative, showing God's power through compassion rather than conventional might.
• The Aramean king, Ben-Hadad, likely viewed Elisha as a powerful sorcerer or military intelligence agent. The incident where his army is led blind into Samaria must have been utterly demoralizing, shaking his confidence in his own forces and gods, implying a spiritual defeat beyond just a physical one.
• This act of mercy led to a temporary cessation of Aramean raids against Israel (2 Kgs 6:23). It implies that divine mercy, extended even to enemies, can sometimes achieve peace where force fails, highlighting a kingdom principle that echoes through the New Testament.
• The situation contrasts human desire for immediate decisive action with God's patient, sovereign method. God had given Israel a tactical advantage not for slaughter but for a display of His character and power, serving as a warning to Aram and an instruction for Israel.

2 Kings 6 21 Commentary

2 Kings 6:21 encapsulates a moment of profound tension between human pragmatism and divine principle. King Jehoram’s eager, repeated question, “My father, shall I strike them down? Shall I strike them down?” reveals the natural human impulse for revenge and the conventional military strategy of annihilating a defeated enemy. This was the logical, brutal conclusion of ancient warfare. However, Elisha's response, anticipated and then delivered in the following verses, subverts this expectation entirely. The scene thus serves as a powerful demonstration of God's alternative ways—ways of mercy, provision, and unconventional victory that defy human understanding and military norms. It shows that God can use unexpected means to achieve peace, even if temporary, and can prompt compassion even from hardened foes. The emphasis is on divine wisdom surpassing human rationale, revealing God's character through a display of grace to an undeserving enemy. This episode underscores the prophet's unique authority as God's representative, capable of overriding even the king's presumed right to prosecute war.