2 Kings 6:21

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

And the king {H4428} of Israel {H3478} said {H559} unto Elisha {H477}, when he saw {H7200} them, My father {H1}, shall I smite {H5221} them? shall I smite {H5221} them?

When the king of Isra'el saw them, he asked Elisha, "My father, should I attack them? Should I attack them?"

And when the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “My father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?”

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

Commentary

2 Kings 6:21 presents a fascinating moment in the narrative of the prophet Elisha, revealing the King of Israel's immediate reaction to a miraculous divine deliverance of his enemies.

Context

This verse follows a dramatic series of events. The Aramean king, frustrated by Elisha's supernatural ability to reveal his military plans to the King of Israel, sends a large army to capture the prophet in Dothan. Instead, Elisha prays for the Aramean soldiers to be struck with blindness (2 Kings 6:18), then leads the blinded army directly into Samaria, the capital city of Israel. In 2 Kings 6:21, the King of Israel sees his formidable enemy delivered into his hands, completely at his mercy. His question to Elisha reflects the common practice of ancient warfare, where captured enemies were typically executed.

Key Themes

  • Divine Deliverance: The entire episode showcases God's extraordinary power to protect His people and prophet without military might. The Aramean army was not defeated in battle but supernaturally led into a position of complete vulnerability, demonstrating God's sovereignty over nations.
  • Elisha's Spiritual Authority: The king addresses Elisha as "My father," a term of deep respect and deference, acknowledging Elisha's profound spiritual authority and wisdom, even though the king held the political power. This highlights the prophet's elevated status as God's messenger and guide.
  • The Impulse for Retribution: The king's repeated question, "shall I smite them? shall I smite them?" reveals his immediate, natural inclination to exact vengeance and eliminate the threat decisively. This sets the stage for Elisha's surprising response, which introduces a theme of mercy that challenges conventional warfare.

Linguistic Insights

The address "My father" (Hebrew: 'avi) is a respectful title used for prophets or spiritual leaders, signifying deep reverence and an acknowledgment of wisdom or authority, not necessarily a literal familial connection. The repetition of "shall I smite [them]?" emphasizes the king's eagerness, perhaps even disbelief, at the unprecedented situation. The Hebrew verb nakah, translated "smite," often implies a decisive blow, a striking down, or killing, confirming the king's intent to execute the captured soldiers.

Practical Application

This verse, particularly when considered with Elisha's subsequent instructions (2 Kings 6:22), offers a powerful lesson on divine strategy and mercy. It challenges the human tendency toward immediate retribution, even when one has the upper hand. God's ways are often higher and more profound than our own, seeking not just victory but also transformation or deterrence through unexpected means. The story encourages believers to seek God's counsel in moments of power, considering whether mercy and unconventional approaches might yield greater, more lasting results than brute force. It reminds us that true strength is often found in compassion, reflecting God's own character.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 5:13

    And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, [if] the prophet had bid thee [do some] great thing, wouldest thou not have done [it]? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?

  • 2 Kings 8:9

    So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels' burden, and came and stood before him, and said, Thy son Benhadad king of Syria hath sent me to thee, saying, Shall I recover of this disease?

  • 2 Kings 2:12

    And Elisha saw [it], and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.

  • 1 Samuel 24:4

    And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily.

  • 1 Samuel 26:8

    Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not [smite] him the second time.

  • Luke 22:49

    When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?

  • 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.
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