2 Kings

2 Kings 6: The LORD's army protects Elisha

Begin in prayer

Before we read about the axe head that floated and the army of horses and chariots, let us come to the Lord together. Ask Him to guard our hearts, and to show us that He is with His people.

Yahweh’s angel encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.

Psalm 34:7

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You guard Your servants with chariots of fire. Help us to trust You when we feel surrounded by danger. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The sons of the prophets need more room, so they cut wood by the Jordan. A borrowed axe head falls into the water, and Elisha makes the iron float. The king of Syria plans attacks, but Elisha warns the king of Israel where not to go, and Israel escapes again and again. When the king of Syria learns that Elisha is in Dothan, he sends horses, chariots, and a great army to surround the city. Elisha prays, and the LORD opens his servant's eyes to see the mountain full of chariots of fire. Elisha leads the blinded Syrians into Samaria, and the king feeds them and sends them home. Later, a severe famine comes to Samaria, and the king says that the evil is from the LORD.

As you read 2 Kings 6, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD guarded Elisha with chariots of fire, and Elisha spared the men sent to take him.

The king of Syria was at war with Israel, and Elisha warned Israel's king of the Syrians' plans (verses 8 to 10). A servant told the Syrian king that Elisha told Israel's king even the words spoken in his bedroom (verses 11 and 12). The king of Syria heard that Elisha knew his plans, so he sent an army to surround Dothan (verses 13 and 14). In the morning Elisha's servant saw the army and cried out in fear (verse 15). Elisha told him not to be afraid and prayed that the LORD would open his eyes (verses 16 and 17). The LORD opened the young man's eyes, and he saw the mountain full of chariots of fire around Elisha (verse 17). Elisha then prayed that the Syrians be struck blind, and he led them to Samaria (verses 18 to 20). The king of Israel asked if he should strike them, but Elisha said to feed them (verses 21 to 23). The LORD's protection is greater than any army, and Elisha answered the men who came for him with bread and water.

How does 2 Kings 6 show us that the LORD guarded Elisha with chariots of fire, and that Elisha spared the men sent to take him?

The LORD guards His prophet with chariots of fire.

The servant saw the Syrian army around the city and was afraid (verse 15). Elisha said, “Don’t be afraid; for those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (verse 16). Elisha prayed, and the LORD opened the young man's eyes (verse 17). He saw the mountain full of chariots of fire (verse 17).

Elisha spares the men sent to take him.

The Syrians were struck with blindness, and Elisha led them into Samaria (verses 18 and 19). The king wanted to kill them, but Elisha said to feed them and send them home (verses 21 and 22). The raids of Syria stopped, and the enemy went home (verse 23). Paul says that sinners were once enemies of God, and were reconciled through the death of His Son (Romans 5 verse 10).

A king in despair says the LORD sent the famine.

Ben-hadad of Syria besieged Samaria, and there was a great famine in the city (verses 24 and 25). The king tore his clothes when he heard how bad it was (verse 30). Parents, you may want to explain verses 26 to 29 in your own words, without details. The king said, “this evil is from Yahweh,” and he would wait for Him no longer (verse 33).

Memorise

Yahweh opened the young man’s eyes; and he saw: and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire around Elisha.

2 Kings 6:17

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, when fear surrounds me, will I trust the LORD and come to Jesus?

The young man's eyes were opened, and he saw the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire around Elisha. The LORD had surrounded His prophet while the servant could not see it. Jesus is the Son of God, and He stands with His people when no one else can.

Every sinner is an enemy of God with no defense of his own. Jesus died for His enemies and made peace with God for His people (Romans 5 verse 10). On the cross He finished that work, and nothing more needs to be added. God raised Him from the dead, and now He is at the right hand of God.

So turn from your sin, and come to Jesus in your fear. Everyone who believes in Him is justified, and forgiveness of sins is proclaimed through Him (Acts 13 verses 38 and 39).

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD guarded Elisha, and that Elisha spared the men who came to seize him. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Parents, you may want to explain verses 24 to 30 in your own words, without details. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He guarded Elisha, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Yahweh, be gracious to us. We have waited for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble.

Isaiah 33:2

Father, thank You that You guard Your people with chariots of fire. Thank You for Jesus, who died on the cross for sinners and rose again. Grant every child grace to turn away from sin and trust Him. Help us to rest in Your care this week, and to trust You when we are afraid. Amen.