2 Kings 6:9-10

6:9 But the prophet sent this message to the king of Israel, “Make sure you don’t pass through this place because Syria is invading there.” 6:10 So the king of Israel sent a message to the place the prophet had pointed out, warning it 1  to be on its guard. This happened on several occasions. 2 

2 Kings 6:14-20

6:14 So he sent horses and chariots there, along with a good-sized army. 3  They arrived during the night and surrounded the city.

6:15 The prophet’s 4  attendant got up early in the morning. When he went outside there was an army surrounding the city, along with horses and chariots. He said to Elisha, 5  “Oh no, my master! What will we do?” 6:16 He replied, “Don’t be afraid, for our side outnumbers them.” 6  6:17 Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes so he can see.” The Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he saw that 7  the hill was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 6:18 As they approached him, 8  Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike these people 9  with blindness.” 10  The Lord 11  struck them with blindness as Elisha requested. 12  6:19 Then Elisha said to them, “This is not the right road or city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you’re looking for.” He led them to Samaria. 13 

6:20 When they had entered Samaria, Elisha said, “O Lord, open their eyes, so they can see.” The Lord opened their eyes and they saw that they were in the middle of Samaria. 14 

1 tn The vav + perfect here indicates action contemporary with the preceding main verb (“sent”). See IBHS 533-34 §32.2.3e.

2 tn Heb “and the king of Israel sent to the place about which the man of God spoke to him, and he warned it and he guarded himself there, not once and not twice.”

3 tn Heb “heavy force.”

4 tn Heb “man of God’s.”

5 tn Heb “his young servant said to him.”

6 tn Heb “for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

7 tn Heb “and he saw, and look.”

8 tn Heb “and they came down to him.”

9 tn Or “this nation,” perhaps emphasizing the strength of the Syrian army.

10 tn On the basis of the Akkadian etymology of the word, M. Cogan and H. Tadmor (II Kings [AB], 74) translate “blinding light.” HALOT 761 s.v. סַנְוֵרִים suggests the glosses “dazzling, deception.”

11 tn Heb “he”; the referent (the Lord) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

12 tn Heb “according to the word of Elisha.”

13 map For location see Map2-B1; Map4-D3; Map5-E2; Map6-A4; Map7-C1.

14 tn Heb “and they saw, and look, [they were] in the middle of Samaria.”