2 Kings 6:21

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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?

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 6:21 captures a pivotal and dramatic moment where the King of Israel, having received a divinely delivered enemy army into his capital city, instinctively seeks Elisha's permission to execute them. This verse reveals the king's immediate, conventional military mindset in the face of an unprecedented supernatural intervention, setting the stage for Elisha's surprising and counter-cultural response of mercy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climax of a remarkable narrative arc that begins with the Aramean king's repeated attempts to ambush the King of Israel, thwarted each time by Elisha's prophetic insights (cf. [2 Kings 6:8-10](/2_kings/6-8 "2 Kings 6:8-10 - Elisha Reveals Aramean Plans")). Frustrated, the Aramean king dispatches a large army to Dothan to capture Elisha himself ([2 Kings 6:13-14](/2_kings/6-13 "2 Kings 6:13-14 - Arameans Surround Dothan")). What follows is a demonstration of God's protective power: Elisha's servant is granted a vision of heavenly chariots ([2 Kings 6:17](/2_kings/6-17 "2 Kings 6:17 - Elisha's Servant Sees Heavenly Host")), and Elisha prays for the Aramean army to be struck with blindness ([2 Kings 6:18](/2_kings/6-18 "2 Kings 6:18 - Arameans Struck Blind")). The prophet then leads the entire blinded army, not to their destruction, but directly into the heart of Samaria, the capital of Israel ([2 Kings 6:19-20](/2_kings/6-19 "2 Kings 6:19-20 - Elisha Leads Blinded Arameans to Samaria")). The king's question in [2 Kings 6:21](/2_kings/6-21 "2 Kings 6:21 - King of Israel Asks to Smite Arameans") immediately follows this astonishing delivery, highlighting the profound shift in power dynamics and the king's conventional, yet understandable, reaction.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, warfare was brutal, and the treatment of captured enemies often involved execution, enslavement, or severe mutilation. Kings were expected to demonstrate strength and decisive action against their foes. The Arameans (Syrians) were a persistent threat and enemy of Israel during this period, engaging in frequent border skirmishes and larger conflicts. Samaria, as the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, was a strategically important city, and the presence of a large, hostile army within its walls, even if blinded, presented an unprecedented situation. The king's immediate impulse to "smite them" reflects the prevailing military ethos and the perceived necessity of eliminating a present danger and deterring future aggression. This context underscores the radical nature of Elisha's subsequent instruction, which defied conventional wisdom.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of [2 Kings](/2_kings/1 "The Book of 2 Kings - History of Israel and Judah"):
* **Divine Sovereignty and Deliverance:** The entire episode, culminating in the king's question, vividly illustrates God's absolute control over nations and armies. He delivers His people not through conventional military might, but through supernatural intervention, demonstrating that His strategies transcend human expectations. This echoes earlier accounts of divine intervention in Israel's history, such as the deliverance from Egypt or the victories under judges.
* **Prophetic Authority and Wisdom:** The king's address to Elisha as "My father" underscores the prophet's elevated status as God's representative. Despite holding political power, the king defers to Elisha, acknowledging his spiritual authority and seeking his counsel in an extraordinary situation. This highlights the crucial role of the prophets in guiding Israel, often challenging royal decisions with divine wisdom, as seen throughout the narratives of Elijah and Elisha.
* **The Nature of Mercy and Retribution:** The king's repeated question, "shall I smite them? shall I smite them?", foregrounds the human impulse for immediate retribution against enemies. This sets up a profound theological tension with Elisha's surprising command for mercy, food, and safe return, introducing a theme that challenges the conventional "eye for an eye" approach and foreshadows a higher ethic of enemy treatment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"My father" (Hebrew, _'avi_):** This term of address, literally "my father," is used here not to denote a familial relationship but as a respectful and deferential title for a spiritual leader, particularly a prophet. It signifies deep reverence, acknowledging Elisha's profound wisdom, authority, and perhaps even his role as a protector and guide for the nation, much like a father guides his family. It indicates the king's recognition of Elisha's unique connection to God and his position as God's spokesman.
* **"smite" (Hebrew, _nakah_):** The Hebrew verb `נכה` (_nakah_) is a versatile term that can mean to strike, beat, wound, or kill. In the context of warfare and the king's question regarding captured enemies, it carries the strong implication of a decisive blow, leading to their destruction or execution. The king is not asking to merely injure them, but to eliminate the threat entirely, in line with common ancient Near Eastern military practices for dealing with vanquished foes.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them":** This clause emphasizes the king's immediate and visceral reaction upon witnessing the miraculous delivery of the Aramean army. The sight of his formidable enemies, now helpless and within his grasp, prompts an urgent query to the prophet who orchestrated this astonishing event. It highlights the king's recognition that this situation is beyond normal military protocol and requires divine guidance.
* **"My father":** This respectful address to Elisha underscores the king's acknowledgment of the prophet's spiritual authority and his role in this supernatural turn of events. Despite being the political head of the nation, the king defers to Elisha, recognizing that the prophet operates on a higher plane of divine wisdom and power.
* **"shall I smite [them]? shall I smite [them]?":** The repetition of the question is highly significant. It conveys the king's eagerness, perhaps even his astonishment or disbelief, at the unprecedented opportunity before him. It reflects a conventional military mindset—the immediate, natural inclination to capitalize on an advantage by eliminating the enemy. The repetition underscores the king's desire for confirmation and permission to act according to established norms of warfare, yet it also subtly hints at the profound choice he is about to face.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs **Repetition** ("shall I smite [them]? shall I smite [them]?") to emphasize the king's eager, almost incredulous, impulse to act decisively against his captured enemies. This repetition highlights the conventional military mindset of the era and sets up a stark contrast with Elisha's subsequent, unexpected command for mercy. There is also a strong element of **Dramatic Irony** at play. The Aramean army, sent to capture Elisha, is instead led by him into the heart of their enemy's capital, completely blind and vulnerable. The audience is aware of the full extent of God's intervention and Elisha's plan, while the king is only just grasping the astonishing reality of the situation, leading to his conventional, yet ironically inappropriate, question. Furthermore, the scene presents a **Foreshadowing** of a divine strategy that transcends human expectations of retribution, pointing towards a higher ethic of dealing with adversaries.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This passage powerfully illustrates God's unconventional methods of warfare and His surprising display of mercy. Instead of allowing Israel to destroy its enemies through conventional means, God orchestrates a miraculous deliverance that places the Aramean army entirely at Israel's mercy. This challenges the human impulse for immediate retribution and vengeance, suggesting that divine victory is not always achieved through annihilation but can involve a demonstration of grace that potentially leads to transformation or deterrence. The king's question, born of a conventional understanding of warfare, serves as a foil to Elisha's divinely inspired command for hospitality, highlighting God's higher ways that often defy human logic and expectations, ultimately aiming for a witness to His character.

* [Proverbs 25:21-22](/proverbs/25-21 "Proverbs 25:21-22 - Feed Your Enemy")
* [Romans 12:20-21](/romans/12-20 "Romans 12:20-21 - Overcoming Evil with Good")
* [Matthew 5:44](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love Your Enemies")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The king's immediate impulse to "smite them" resonates deeply with the human tendency to respond to threats and perceived injustices with immediate, decisive force. In our own lives, when we gain an advantage over those who have wronged us, or when circumstances place our "enemies" at our mercy, the natural inclination is often to exact retribution, assert dominance, or eliminate the perceived threat. However, this passage, especially when read in light of Elisha's subsequent instructions, challenges us to pause and seek divine counsel. God's strategies are often counter-intuitive, prioritizing mercy, witness, and transformation over brute force. True strength, from a divine perspective, is not merely the ability to destroy, but the capacity to show compassion and to overcome evil with good. This story calls us to consider whether our reactions, even when justified by conventional wisdom, align with God's higher purposes, which often involve demonstrating His character of grace even to adversaries. It encourages us to pray for wisdom when we have power, choosing paths that reflect God's heart rather than merely satisfying our immediate impulses.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what situations do I feel the impulse to "smite" my adversaries, either literally or figuratively?**
* **How does Elisha's response to the king's question challenge my conventional understanding of victory and justice?**
* **What does it mean to seek God's counsel when I have the upper hand, rather than acting on immediate impulse?**
* **How can showing mercy to those who have wronged me be a more powerful witness than enacting retribution?**

### FAQ
**Why did the King of Israel call Elisha "My father"? Was Elisha literally his father?**

Answer: No, Elisha was not literally the king's father. The address "My father" (Hebrew: `אבי`, _'avi_) was a respectful and deferential title used for a spiritual leader, a prophet, or someone of great wisdom and authority. It signified profound reverence and an acknowledgment of Elisha's unique connection to God and his role as a protector and guide for the nation. This title highlights the king's recognition of Elisha's spiritual power and his dependence on divine counsel in this extraordinary situation, even though the king held political power. We see similar respect shown to Elisha by King Joash in [2 Kings 13:14](/2_kings/13-14 "2 Kings 13:14 - Joash Weeps Over Elisha").

**Why did Elisha lead the blinded Aramean army to Samaria instead of just leaving them blinded or having them destroyed in Dothan?**

Answer: Elisha's actions were part of a divine strategy to demonstrate God's power and mercy in a way that would have a greater impact than simple destruction. Leading the blinded army to Samaria, the capital, made the miracle undeniable to both the Israelites and the Arameans. It was a public display of God's sovereignty over their enemies, showing that He could deliver Israel without a single sword being drawn. Furthermore, Elisha's subsequent instruction to feed them and send them home ([2 Kings 6:22-23](/2_kings/6-22 "2 Kings 6:22-23 - Elisha Commands Mercy for Arameans")) was a radical act of mercy that challenged conventional warfare. This act aimed to deter future Aramean raids, not through fear of military defeat, but through the profound impact of unexpected kindness, demonstrating God's character. The text notes that "the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel" for a time ([2 Kings 6:23](/2_kings/6-23 "2 Kings 6:23 - Aramean Raids Cease")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The king's impulse to "smite" his enemies in [2 Kings 6:21](/2_kings/6-21 "2 Kings 6:21 - King of Israel Asks to Smite Arameans") stands in stark contrast to the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive strategy found in Jesus Christ. While the king sought to eliminate a physical threat through conventional means, Jesus, the true King of Israel, came not to smite His enemies but to conquer them through an act of unparalleled mercy and self-sacrifice. On the cross, Jesus did not call down legions of angels to destroy those who opposed Him ([Matthew 26:53](/matthew/26-53 "Matthew 26:53 - Jesus Refuses to Call Angels")), but instead prayed for their forgiveness ([Luke 23:34](/luke/23-34 "Luke 23:34 - Jesus Prays for His Executioners")). He disarmed the spiritual powers of darkness not by force, but by becoming a humble servant ([Philippians 2:7-8](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7-8 - Christ's Humiliation")). The mercy shown to the Aramean army, where enemies were fed and sent home, foreshadows the radical love of Christ, who commands His followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them ([Matthew 5:44](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love Your Enemies")). Ultimately, Jesus' victory over sin and death was achieved not through smiting, but through self-giving love, inviting all, even former enemies, into reconciliation and new life ([Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Reconciliation Through Christ")). He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, offering grace where judgment was due ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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.