2 Kings 6:8

KJV

¶ Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place [shall be] my camp.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then the king {H4428} of Syria {H758} warred {H3898} against Israel {H3478}, and took counsel {H3289} with his servants {H5650}, saying {H559}, In such {H6423} and such {H492} a place {H4725} shall be my camp {H8466}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Now the king of Aram went to war against Isra'el; and in consulting his servants he said, "I'll set up my ambush camp in such-and-such a place."

Berean Standard Bible

Now the king of Aram was at war against Israel. After consulting with his servants, he said, “My camp will be in such and such a place.”

American Standard Version

Now the king of Syria was warring against Israel; and he took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 6:8 introduces a critical juncture in the recurring military conflicts between the northern kingdom of Israel and its formidable neighbor, Aram-Damascus (Syria). This verse details the Syrian king's strategic planning, as he convenes with his advisors to meticulously select a clandestine location for a military encampment, intending to ambush Israel. It sets the immediate narrative stage for a profound demonstration of divine omniscience and prophetic intervention through Elisha, highlighting the futility of human schemes when confronted with God's sovereign knowledge and protective care over His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows a series of miraculous interventions by the prophet Elisha, including the purification of poisoned stew and the miraculous feeding of a hundred men (2 Kings 4:38-44), and most recently, the recovery of a lost axe head from the Jordan River (2 Kings 6:1-7). These preceding accounts establish Elisha's powerful prophetic authority and his close relationship with God, setting the stage for the even more dramatic display of divine insight that begins in [2 Kings 6:8](/2_kings/6-8 "2 Kings 6:8 - The Syrian King's Secret Plans"). The Syrian king's secret counsel in this verse directly precipitates the subsequent revelation of his plans by Elisha to the king of Israel (2 Kings 6:9-10), leading to the king's frustration and the eventual miraculous blinding of the Syrian army (2 Kings 6:11-23). Thus, 2 Kings 6:8 acts as the narrative pivot, transitioning from Elisha's individual miracles to his role in national defense, showcasing God's active involvement in the political and military affairs of His people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the divided monarchy saw frequent skirmishes and full-scale wars between the northern kingdom of Israel and Aram-Damascus, a powerful Aramean state to its northeast. The Syrian king mentioned here is widely understood to be Ben-Hadad II or possibly his successor, who frequently engaged in military campaigns against Israel, often involving raids and attempts to gain territorial advantage. Ancient warfare heavily relied on strategic positioning, ambushes, and intelligence gathering. Kings would typically consult with their inner circle of military commanders and advisors to devise battle plans, choose optimal ambush sites, and determine troop movements. This practice, depicted in [2 Kings 6:8](/2_kings/6-8 "2 Kings 6:8 - Strategic Military Planning"), was a standard and crucial aspect of ancient Near Eastern military operations, underscoring the king's meticulous effort to secure victory through human cunning and foresight.
* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces several profound themes that resonate throughout the broader narrative of [2 Kings](/2_kings/1 "The Book of 2 Kings") and the Old Testament. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **human strategy and conflict**, emphasizing the meticulous planning and military efforts undertaken by earthly powers. The Syrian king's "counsel with his servants" underscores the reliance on human wisdom and tactical expertise in warfare. Secondly, and more profoundly, it subtly introduces the theme of **divine omniscience and sovereignty**. While the king believes his plans are secret, the subsequent narrative reveals that God is fully aware of every detail, frustrating the king's intentions. This foreshadows God's ultimate control over human affairs, demonstrating that even the most carefully laid human plans are subject to His divine purpose, as articulated in [Proverbs 19:21](/proverbs/19-21 "Proverbs 19:21 - The Lord's Purpose Prevails"): "Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails." Finally, the verse serves as a crucial **foreshadowing of prophetic intervention**. It sets the stage for Elisha's supernatural knowledge of the Syrian king's every move, even his secret counsel, thereby demonstrating God's active protection of Israel through His chosen prophet, a theme central to the ministry of Elisha in [2 Kings 6](/2_kings/6 "2 Kings Chapter 6 - Elisha's Miracles and Deliverance").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Took counsel (Hebrew, _ya'ats'_):** This verb signifies "to advise," "to consult," or "to plan." In this context, it describes the Syrian king's deliberate and collaborative process of seeking strategic advice from his trusted military and political advisors. It implies a thorough, rational, and human-centric approach to problem-solving and warfare. The king is not acting impulsively but engaging in a calculated effort to gain an advantage over his enemy. While seemingly a mundane administrative act, the significance of _ya'ats_ here lies in the stark contrast it provides with the divine knowledge that is about to be revealed. The king's counsel is limited by human perception and secrecy, whereas God's counsel (often expressed through His prophets) is absolute and all-encompassing, rendering human schemes ultimately futile if they oppose His will.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ Then the king of Syria warred against Israel,"**: This opening clause establishes the ongoing state of conflict between the two nations. The "¶" symbol in the KJV indicates a new paragraph, often marking a significant shift in narrative or subject. The verb "warred" (Hebrew: _lacham_) denotes active military engagement, not just a state of hostility, indicating that the Syrian king was actively conducting campaigns against Israel. This sets the immediate backdrop of national tension and military threat, providing the context for the king's subsequent strategic actions.
* **"and took counsel with his servants,"**: This phrase details the king's method of operation. Rather than acting unilaterally, he engaged in a formal consultation process with his trusted advisors or military commanders. "Servants" (Hebrew: _'avadim_) in this context refers to high-ranking officials or loyal subordinates. This consultation underscores the king's reliance on human intelligence, strategic planning, and collaborative decision-making, reflecting a common practice in ancient Near Eastern monarchies where crucial military decisions were made collectively within the royal court.
* **"saying, In such and such a place [shall be] my camp."**: This final clause reveals the specific outcome of the king's counsel: the identification of a particular, undisclosed location for a military encampment or ambush. The phrase "in such and such a place" (Hebrew: _bi-mqom peloni 'almoni_) is an idiomatic expression for an unspecified, secret, or designated location. The purpose of this secret camp was undoubtedly to launch a surprise attack or set an ambush against Israelite forces, highlighting the element of deception and tactical advantage that the Syrian king sought to employ.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 2 Kings 6:8 is **Foreshadowing**. The verse, by detailing the Syrian king's secret strategic planning, sets the stage for the dramatic revelation that these plans are known to Elisha, thereby foreshadowing the prophet's supernatural intervention and God's omniscience. This creates narrative tension, as the reader is aware that the king's meticulous efforts are about to be thwarted by a higher power. Closely related is **Irony**: the king believes his counsel is secret and his plans are foolproof, yet the very act of meticulously planning in secret ironically highlights the futility of human wisdom when confronted with divine knowledge. The king's elaborate efforts to gain an advantage are rendered useless before they are even put into action, creating a sense of dramatic irony that underscores God's absolute sovereignty over human affairs and military endeavors.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, though seemingly a simple statement of military strategy, acts as a theological pivot, introducing the profound truth of God's omniscience and His active involvement in the affairs of nations and individuals. The Syrian king's secret counsel, intended to be hidden from his enemy, is utterly transparent to the God of Israel. This highlights the principle that no human plan, no matter how clandestine or meticulously crafted, can escape the all-seeing eye of the Almighty. It serves as a powerful reminder that God is not merely an observer but an active participant in history, capable of revealing, thwarting, or redirecting any scheme that opposes His divine will or threatens His people. This divine oversight provides immense comfort and reassurance to believers, demonstrating that even when powerful adversaries plot in secret, God's protective hand is at work, and His knowledge far surpasses any human intelligence or strategy.

* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalms/33-10 "Psalm 33:10-11 - The Lord Thwarts the Plans of the Nations")
* [Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "Isaiah 46:10 - God Declares the End from the Beginning")
* [Amos 3:7](/amos/3-7 "Amos 3:7 - The Lord Reveals His Secret to His Servants")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, 2 Kings 6:8, particularly when understood within its broader context of divine revelation and protection, offers profound reassurance and practical guidance. It reminds us that our God is omniscient, knowing all things—even the most hidden intentions and secret schemes of those who might oppose us. In a world often characterized by hidden agendas, complex political maneuvering, and personal challenges that feel overwhelming, this passage encourages us to place our trust not in human foresight or our own ability to discern threats, but in God's perfect knowledge and sovereign control. It underscores that no plan or plot against God's people can ultimately succeed without His permission or outside of His ultimate purpose. This should inspire a deep sense of peace and confidence, knowing that our security rests not on our vigilance alone, but on the unfailing watchfulness of our Heavenly Father. It calls us to live with an awareness of God's constant presence and His active involvement in our lives, trusting that He will either reveal what needs to be known, thwart what needs to be stopped, or empower us to navigate challenges with His divine wisdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Syrian king's secret planning in this verse challenge or affirm your understanding of God's omniscience in your own life?**
* **In what areas of your life do you tend to rely more on human strategy and foresight rather than trusting in God's ultimate knowledge and control?**
* **How does the knowledge that God sees and knows all secret plots against His people encourage you in times of fear or uncertainty?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereign oversight, even when circumstances seem to be against you?**

### FAQ
**Who was the king of Syria mentioned in 2 Kings 6:8, and what was the nature of his conflict with Israel?**

Answer: The specific king of Syria (Aram-Damascus) is not named in 2 Kings 6:8, but based on the historical context of the period of the divided monarchy and the broader narrative of 2 Kings, he is most commonly identified as Ben-Hadad II or possibly his successor, Hazael. These kings frequently led military campaigns against the northern kingdom of Israel, often involving raids, sieges, and attempts to expand their territory or assert dominance. The conflict was a long-standing and often brutal struggle for regional power and control over trade routes. The nature of the conflict in this verse specifically points to strategic military operations, where the Syrian king was attempting to gain an advantage through clandestine movements and ambushes, highlighting the ongoing threat Israel faced from its powerful northern neighbor. This particular episode showcases the Syrian king's aggressive posture and his reliance on tactical cunning to overcome Israel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The seemingly mundane military strategy of the Syrian king in 2 Kings 6:8, meticulously planned in secret, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the ultimate triumph of God's divine plan over all human and demonic schemes. Just as the Syrian king's secret camp was known to God and revealed through Elisha, so too were all the plots and machinations against God's ultimate purpose for humanity known to Him from eternity past. The crucifixion of Jesus, while meticulously planned by human authorities and seemingly a victory for the forces of darkness, was in fact the predetermined counsel and plan of God (Acts 2:23). Every secret meeting of the Sanhedrin, every betrayal by Judas, every political maneuver by Pilate—all were within the perfect knowledge and sovereign control of God, ultimately serving to accomplish the salvation of the world. In Christ, we see the complete embodiment of God's omniscience, for in Him "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge")). He is the ultimate "camp" or refuge for His people, a fortress against whom "the gates of Hades shall not prevail" ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - The Gates of Hades Shall Not Prevail")). The futile plans of the Syrian king foreshadow the ultimate futility of all human and spiritual opposition to God's Christ, whose kingdom is eternal and whose victory is assured, not by human strategy, but by divine decree and perfect love.

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

1 Kings 22:31

But the king of Syria commanded his thirty and two captains that had rule over his chariots, saying, Fight neither with small nor great, save only with the king of Israel.

Proverbs 21:30

¶ [There is] no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

Proverbs 20:18

¶ [Every] purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.

2 Kings 6:24

¶ And it came to pass after this, that Benhadad king of Syria gathered all his host, and went up, and besieged Samaria.

Isaiah 7:5

Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have taken evil counsel against thee, saying,

Isaiah 7:7

Thus saith the Lord GOD, It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass.

Job 5:12

He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform [their] enterprise.