Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 6
The king of Aram’s plan was not to kill Elisha, but rather to take him away from Israel. He wanted to make it impossible for Elisha to warn the king of Israel about attacks from Aram’s army. So, he sent a large group of soldiers whom he ordered to bring Elisha into Aram.
The king of Aram had heard reports that astonished him about Elisha’s power in the spirit world. Those reports were probably the reason why the king did not order his men to kill Elisha. It would be dangerous to try to hurt someone with such great power. In addition, the king may have hoped that he could pay Elisha to use his power on Aram’s behalf. He knew that Elisha had already helped Naaman, his army commander (5:4-6).
It did not seem an easy task to take Elisha away from Israel. The king of Aram probably expected that Israel’s army would be guarding him carefully. That was why he sent such a strong group of soldiers. He could see how important Elisha and his prayers were for the defence of Israel.
He could not have imagined how deeply Israel’s king hated Elisha (6:31). Joram, the king of Israel, blamed Elisha and Elisha’s God for all the troubles that affected Israel (6:33). Joram’s father, King Ahab, had the same attitude towards Elijah (1 Kings 18:17). However, Elijah blamed the way that Ahab’s whole family had turned against the true God (1 Kings 18:18).
Next part: Aram's army surrounds Dothan (2 Kings 6:15)
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