Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about.
2 KINGS 6:14KJVWhat does 2 Kings 6:14 mean?
2 Kings 6:14 describes how the king of Aram (Syria) sent a large military force—including horses, chariots, and many soldiers—by night to surround the city where Elisha was staying. The verse shows the king’s determination to capture Elisha by using overwhelming force and secrecy.
The situation takes place during a conflict between Aram and Israel. The king of Aram is frustrated because Elisha, a prophet in Israel, keeps revealing his military plans to the king of Israel. In response, the Aramean king sends this impressive force to Dothan, where Elisha is located, hoping to capture him before he can warn Israel again.
The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 6:14
- חַיִל (ḥayil, transliterated "host"): This word often means "army" or "force," but it also carries the sense of strength or valor. Here, it emphasizes the size and might of the force sent against Elisha.
- סָבַב (sāvav, transliterated "compassed/about"): This verb means to surround or encircle. The repetition in the verse ("compassed the city about") stresses that the city was completely surrounded, leaving no way out.
- לַיְלָה (laylah, transliterated "night"): The mention of night highlights the element of surprise and stealth in the king’s plan, showing he wanted to catch Elisha off guard.
Why 2 Kings 6:14 matters
- 2 Kings 6:14 sets up the dramatic tension for the following verses, where Elisha’s servant is terrified by the sight of the army, and Elisha prays for his eyes to be opened to God’s protection.
- The verse highlights how seriously the king of Aram viewed Elisha’s prophetic power, treating one prophet as a threat worthy of a full-scale military operation.
- The detail about surrounding the city at night shows the lengths to which human power will go, setting up a contrast with the unseen spiritual reality that Elisha will reveal.