Study Desk

Now, the king of Syria, was making war against Israel, - so he took counsel with his servants, saying - In such and such a place, shall be my encampment.

The man of God, therefore, sent unto the king of Israel, saying - Beware of passing by this place, - for, thither, are the Syrians coming down.

So the king of Israel sent unto the place whereof the man of God had spoken to him and warned him, and was on his guard there, - not once nor twice

Then was the heart of the king of Syria disquieted concerning this thing, - and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not tell me, who of our men are for the king of Israel?

Then said one of his servants, None, my lord O king, - but, Elisha, the prophet, who is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words which thou speakest in thy bed-chamber.

And he said - Go, and see where he is, that I may send and take him. And it was told him, saying - Lo! in Dothan.

Therefore sent he thither - horses and chariots, and a strong force, - and they came in by night, and encompassed the city.

And, when the attendant of the man of God arose early and went forth, lo! a force surrounding the city, with horses and chariots. Then said his young man unto him - Alas! my lord, what shall we do?

And he said - Do not fear, - for, more, are, they who are with us, than, they who are with them.

Then prayed Elisha, and said, O Yahweh! open, I beseech thee, his eyes, that he may see. And Yahweh opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and lo! the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire, round about Elisha.

And, when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto Yahweh, and said - Smite, I beseech thee, this people, with sudden blindness. And he smote them with sudden blindness, according to the word of Elisha.

Then Elisha said unto them - This, is not the way, neither is, this, the city, follow me, that I may lead you unto the man, whom ye would secure! So he led them to Samaria.

And it came to pass, when they had entered Samaria, that Elisha said, O Yahweh! open the eyes of these men, that they may see! And Yahweh opened their eyes, and they saw, and lo! they were in the midst of Samaria!

Then said the king of Israel unto Elisha, when he saw them, - Shall I smite - shall I smite, my father?

And he said - Thou shalt not smite. Them whom thou hadst taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow, wouldst, thou, have been smiting? Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go their way unto their lord.

And he made for them a great feast, and, when they had eaten and drunk, he let them go, and they went their way unto their lord. So then, troops of Syrians came again, no more, into the land of Israel.