R.C. Sproul

So let's take a few moments to look at this narrative that takes place during the life of the prophet Elisha in 2 Kings, beginning in verse 8.

Here's the text.

2 Kings chapter 6, beginning at verse 8.

Now the king of Syria was making war against Israel, and he consulted with his servants, saying, My camp will be in such and such a place.

And the man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are coming down there.

So the king of Israel sent someone to the place of which the man of God had told him, and thus he warned him, and he was watchful there not just once or twice."

Now you see here what the king of Syria is trying to do is to plan an ambush against the king of Israel, but somehow all of the secret plans that the king of Syria is making

are told to the king of Israel so that he avoids the trap.

So we read in verse 11, Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was greatly troubled by this thing.

And he called his servants and said to them, Will you not show me which of us is for the king of Israel?

He automatically assumes that he has a spy.

in the camp.

And so he inquires of that.

And one of the 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.

And so he said, Go and see where he is that I may send and get him.

And it was told him, saying, Surely he is in Dothan.

So you get the picture.

King Assyria finds out that it's not one of his men that's betraying him, but supernaturally his plans are being communicated by the prophet Elisha to the king of Israel, and so now the king of Syria changes his plan.

If I'm ever going to be effective in capturing the king of Israel, first thing I've got to do is get rid of this Elisha.

So he inquires as to where Elisha is staying, and he's told that Elisha is in Dothan, so he sets about to execute his plan to capture Elisha.