2 Kings 6:14 Meaning and Explanation
“Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Syrian king dispatches a substantial military force to surround Dothan under cover of darkness and seize Elisha.
The Context of 2 Kings 6:14
The deployment is overwhelming: horses, chariots, and a great host. The stealth (arriving by night) and the overwhelming force show that the king believes Elisha is a threat that requires serious military response.
What Does 2 Kings 6:14 Mean?
The force sent against one prophet is staggering. Not a small detachment, but horses, chariots, and a great host. The army arrives under cover of darkness, surrounding the city completely. Dothan is sealed off. The message is clear: Elisha will not escape. There is no way out. The prophet is trapped, and the king of Syria has committed significant military resources to ensuring his capture. By all earthly calculation, Elisha is doomed. One man, however filled with the Spirit of God, cannot stand against such overwhelming force.
Yet we know, from the structure of Scripture itself, that this story does not end in the prophet's capture. The very fact that it is told suggests a reversal, a deliverance, a moment in which the laws of power are overturned. The king of Syria sends an army by night, certain of success. But he does not understand the night in which he sends his forces. That night is the covering of God Himself. The darkness that the king believes will hide his advance will instead reveal what only faith can see: the celestial armies that surround the city in defense.
How to Apply 2 Kings 6:14 Today
When we are surrounded by opposition, do we see only the visible army, or do we remember that 'they that be with us are more than they that be with them'? (2 Kings 6:16)
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Kings 6:14
What does 2 Kings 6:14 mean?
The Syrian king dispatches a substantial military force to surround Dothan under cover of darkness and seize Elisha.
What is the context of 2 Kings 6:14?
The deployment is overwhelming: horses, chariots, and a great host. The stealth (arriving by night) and the overwhelming force show that the king believes Elisha is a threat that requires serious military response.
How can I apply 2 Kings 6:14 today?
When we are surrounded by opposition, do we see only the visible army, or do we remember that 'they that be with us are more than they that be with them'? (2 Kings 6:16)