Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 6
Elisha’s servant was afraid, so Elisha explained the situation. The servant had seen the powerful army which was ready to attack their town. That was why he was afraid. All his attention was upon those enemies and what they intended to do.
However, in a battle, there are two sides. The servant had seen the enemy, but not the great army that was protecting Elisha. The servant could not see that great army, but it was still there. It was an army of God’s special servants, the angels from heaven. It was a much more powerful army than the enemy that opposed them. Elisha knew about God’s great army (Psalm 91, especially verse 11), and so he could not be afraid of any enemy’s army.
Elisha saw God’s army of angels, probably for the first time, when Elijah rose into heaven (2:11-12). It looked like the most powerful army on earth. It could move quickly, like an army with fast horses and the best military vehicles. However, its horses were not mere animals and its vehicles were not metal – rather, the horses and vehicles had the appearance of fire. So Elisha was sure that no army on earth could ever defeat them.
After that first experience, Elisha continued to be aware of God’s army of angels. We do not know how often he actually saw God’s army. However, clearly on this occasion he already saw what the servant could not see. So he prayed for his servant, and God answered the prayer. Then the servant could see the army from God. God’s army filled the hills in that place; and it completely surrounded Elisha, to protect him.
Next part: Elisha prays for the enemy soldiers to be blind (2 Kings 6:18-19)
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