II Kings 6

1. And the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “Behold now, the place where we live with you is too small for us.

2. Please let us go to Jordan. And let each man take a beam from there. And let us make a place where we may dwell.” And he answered, “Go.”

3. And one said, “Be content, please, and go with your servants.” And he answered them, “I will go.”

4. And he went with them. And they came to Jordan, and they cut down trees.

5. Now it came to pass as one was felling a log, the ax head fell into the water. And he cried and said, “Alas, master, for it was borrowed!”

6. And the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” And he showed him the place. And he cut down a stick and threw it in there, and made the iron float.

7. Then he said, “Take it up to yourself.” And he put out his hand and took it.

8. And the king of Syria warred against Israel and took counsel with his servants, saying, “In such and such a place shall be my camp.”

9. And the man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, “Beware that you do not pass such a place, for the Syrians have come down there.”

10. Then the king of Israel sent to the place of which the man of God told him and warned him, and saved himself there, not once nor twice.

11. So the heart of the king of Syria was enraged for this thing. And he called his servants and said to them, “Will you not show me which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?”

12. And one of his servants said, “None, my lord, O king, but Elisha the prophet, who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.”

13. And he said, “Go and spy where he is so that I may send and bring him.” And it was told him, saying, “Behold, he is in Dothan.”

14. And he sent there horses and chariots and a great army. And they came by night and surrounded the city.

15. And the servant of the man of God arose early and went out. And, behold, an army surrounded the city, and horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”

16. And he answered, “Do not fear, for those with us are more than those with them.”

17. And Elisha prayed and said, “I pray You, LORD, open his eyes so that he may see.” And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

18. And when the Syrians came down to him Elisha prayed to the LORD and said, “I pray You, strike this people with blindness.” And He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.

19. And Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, nor is this the city. Follow me and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” But he led them to Samaria.

20. And it came to pass when they came into Samaria, Elisha said, “LORD, open the eyes of these men so that they may see.” And the LORD opened their eyes, and they saw. And behold, they were in the middle of Samaria.

21. And when he saw them, the king of Israel said to Elisha, “My father, shall I strike them? Shall I strike them?”

22. And he answered, “You shall not strike them. Would you strike those whom you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them so that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.”

23. And he prepared a great feast for them. And when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.

24. And it came to pass after this Ben-Hadad king of Syria gathered all his army and went up and lay siege to Samaria.

25. And there was a great famine in Samaria. And, behold, they besieged it until a donkey’s head was sold for eighty pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of dove’s dung for five silver pieces.

26. And as the king of Israel was passing by upon the wall, a woman cried to him, saying, “Help, my lord, O king!”

27. And he said, “If the LORD does not help you from where shall I help you? Out of the barn floor, or out of the winepress?”

28. And the king said to her, “What ails you?” And she said, “This woman said to me, ‘Give your son so that we may eat him today, and we will eat my son tomorrow.’

29. And we boiled my son and ate him. And I said to her on the other day, ‘Give your son so that we may eat him.’ And she has hidden her son.”

30. And it came to pass when the king heard the words of the woman, he tore his clothes. And he passed by upon the wall, and the people looked, and, behold, he had sackcloth inside upon his flesh.

31. And he said, “May God do so, and more also to me if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stand on him this day.”

32. But Elisha sat in his house, and the elders sat with him. And the king sent a man from before him. But before the messenger came to Elisha, he said to the elders, “Do you see how this son of a murderer has sent to take away my head? Look, when the messenger comes, shut the door and hold him fast at the door. Is not the sound of his master’s feet behind him?”

33. While he still talked with them, behold, the messenger came down to him, for the king said, “Behold, this evil is from the LORD. Why should I wait for the LORD any longer?”