Matthew Henry on 2 Kings 6:8-12
Here we have Elisha, with his spirit of prophecy, serving the king, as before helping the sons of the prophets; for that, as other gifts, is given to every man to profit withal; and, whatever abilities any man has of doing good, he is by them made a debtor both to the wise and unwise. Observe here,
I. How the king of Israel was informed by Elisha of all the designs and motions of his enemy, the king of Syria, more effectually than he could have been by the most vigilant and faithful spies. If the king of Syria, in a secret council of war, determined in which place to make an inroad upon the coasts of Israel, where he thought it would be the greatest surprise and they would be least able to m…
Read the whole note in the consoleJamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 6:8
DISCLOSES THE KING OF SYRIA'S COUNSEL. (Kg2 6:8-17)
the king of Syria warred against Israel--This seems to have been a sort of guerrilla warfare, carried on by predatory inroads on different parts of the country. Elisha apprised King Jehoram of the secret purpose of the enemy; so, by adopting precautionary measures, he was always enabled to anticipate and defeat their attacks. The frequency of his disappointments having led the Syrian king to suspect some of his servants of carrying on a treacherous correspondence with the enemy, he was informed about Elisha, whose apprehension he forthwith determined to effect. This resolution was, of course, grounded on the belief that however great the k…
Read the whole note in the consoleAdam Clarke on 2 Kings 6:9
Beware that thou pass not such a place - Elisha must have had this information by immediate revelation from heaven.
John Gill on 2 Kings 6:9
And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel,.... That is, Elisha sent to him: saying:
beware that thou pass not such a place: not go to it, but avoid it, and pass another way:
for thither the Syrians are come down: are hidden, as the Targum; lie covered at the bottom of the hill, so as not to be seen.
