2 Kings 6:10

And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice.

And the king {H4428} of Israel {H3478} sent {H7971} to the place {H4725} which the man {H376} of God {H430} told {H559} him and warned {H2094} him of, and saved {H8104} himself there, not once {H259} nor twice {H8147}.

So the king of Isra'el sent men to the place the man of God had told him and warned him about, and he took special precautions there. This happened more than once or twice,

So the king of Israel sent word to the place the man of God had pointed out. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places.

And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of; and he saved himself there, not once nor twice.

Commentary

2 Kings 6:10 describes the effectiveness of the prophet Elisha's divine warnings to the King of Israel against ambushes by the Arameans (Syrians).

Context

This verse is part of a series of events in 2 Kings 6 where the prophet Elisha demonstrates extraordinary spiritual insight and power. The Aramean king was attempting to ambush the Israelite army and its king (likely Jehoram), but Elisha, through divine revelation, repeatedly knew the enemy's plans. He would then send word to the King of Israel, warning him of the exact locations where the Arameans intended to strike. As a result, the King of Israel was able to avoid these traps, saving his army and himself "not once nor twice," indicating a consistent and repeated pattern of divine intervention through Elisha's prophetic ministry.

Key Themes

  • Divine Protection and Guidance: The verse powerfully illustrates God's active involvement in the affairs of His people, providing supernatural intelligence and protection against their enemies. God's care extends even to national security.
  • The Efficacy of Prophetic Ministry: Elisha, as the "man of God," served as a crucial channel for divine communication and protection. His warnings were not merely advice but direct, life-saving revelations from God.
  • Wisdom in Heeding Warnings: The King of Israel's survival depended on his willingness to listen to and act upon Elisha's warnings. His repeated obedience to the prophet's counsel saved him from certain danger.
  • God's Faithfulness: Despite the spiritual shortcomings often present in Israel's leadership, God consistently demonstrated His faithfulness to protect His covenant people through His chosen servants.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Man of God" (Hebrew: אִישׁ Χ”ΦΈΧΦ±ΧœΦΉΧ”Φ΄Χ™Χ, ish ha'Elohim): This title, frequently applied to prophets like Elisha and Elijah, signifies someone specifically appointed by God, endowed with divine authority and speaking on God's behalf.
  • "Not once nor twice": This is a Hebrew idiom emphasizing repetition and consistency. It means "many times" or "repeatedly," highlighting the ongoing nature of Elisha's warnings and the king's deliverance.

Practical Application

The account in 2 Kings 6:10 offers timeless lessons for believers today. Just as God supernaturally protected the King of Israel, He continues to offer guidance and protection to His people. We are called to be attentive to God's warnings, which often come through His written Word, wise counsel from godly individuals, or the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Heeding these warnings can save us from spiritual pitfalls, relational conflicts, or dangerous situations. This verse encourages us to trust in God's constant care and to rely on His wisdom for navigating the challenges of life, remembering that the Lord preserves us from all evil. It also reminds us of the importance of listening to and respecting those whom God has set apart to speak truth, much like the King of Israel trusted Elisha's insights. This echoes the broader theme of divine protection when we heed God's voice, as seen in Elisha's assurance to his servant that "they that be with us are more than they that be with them" in a related incident within the same chapter.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Hebrews 11:7

    By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

  • Amos 7:1

    ΒΆ Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me; and, behold, he formed grasshoppers in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth; and, lo, [it was] the latter growth after the king's mowings.

  • Amos 7:6

    The LORD repented for this: This also shall not be, saith the Lord GOD.

  • 2 Kings 13:14

    Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.

  • Proverbs 27:12

    ΒΆ A prudent [man] foreseeth the evil, [and] hideth himself; [but] the simple pass on, [and] are punished.

  • Ezekiel 3:18

    When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked [man] shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

  • Ezekiel 3:21

    Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous [man], that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.
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