2 Kings 6:21

Contextual Overview

¹³So the king said, “Go and see where he is, so I can send men to capture him.” ¹³ He said, Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him. It was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dotan. ¹³ And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan. ¹³ And he said, "Go and see where he is, that I may send and seize him." It was told him, "Behold, he is in Dothan." ¹³ The king said, "Go and find him so I can send men and catch him." The servants came back and reported, "He is in Dothan." ¹³ The king ordered, "Go, find out where he is, so I can send some men to capture him." The king was told, "He is in Dothan." ¹³So he said, "Go and see where he is, so that I may send [men] and seize him." And he was told, "He is in Dothan." ¹³ So he said, "Go and see where he is, so that I may send men and take him." And it was told to him, saying, "Behold, he is in Dothan." ¹³ And he said, Goe, and espie where he is, that I may sende and fetch him. And one tolde him, saying, Beholde, he is in Dothan. ¹³So he said, "Go and see where he is, that I may send and take him." And it was told to him, saying, "Behold, he is in Dothan."

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

My father: This was dastardly: the utmost he ought to have done with these men, when thus brought into his hand, was to make them prisoners of war. 2 Kings 2:12, 2 Kings 5:13, 2 Kings 8:9, 2 Kings 13:14

shall: 1 Samuel 24:4, 1 Samuel 24:19, 1 Samuel 26:8, Luke 9:54-56, Luke 22:49

Reciprocal: Judges 17:10 - a father Judges 18:19 - a father Matthew 23:9 - call Mark 6:20 - feared

Cross-References

Job 38:41
Who provides the raven’s foodwhen its young cry out to Godand wander about for lack of food?

Job 38:41
Who provides for the raven his prey, When his young ones cry to God, And wander for lack of food?

Job 38:41
Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.

Job 38:41
Who provides for the raven its prey, when its young ones cry to God for help, and wander about for lack of food?

Job 38:41
Who gives food to the birds when their young cry out to God and wander about without food?

Job 38:41
Who prepares prey for the raven, when its young cry out to God and wander about for lack of food?

Job 38:41
"Who provides prey for the raven When its young cry to God And wander about without food?

Job 38:41
"Who prepares feed for the raven When its young cry to God, And wander about without food?

Job 38:41
Who provides for the raven his prey, When his young ones cry to God, And wander for lack of food?

Job 38:41
Who prepareth for the rauen his meate, when his birdes crie vnto God, wandering for lacke of meate?

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them,.... The Syrian army thus in his hands:

my father, shall I smite them? shall I smite them? he speaks with great reverence and respect to the prophet, whom at other times he neglected and despised; and the repetition of his words shows the eagerness of his mind to fall upon his enemy when they where at a disadvantage.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

My father - A term of respect used by Jehoram in his joy at seeing an army of Syrians delivered up to him by the prophet. That the king’s character was not changed appears from 2 Kings 6:31-32.

Shall I smite them? shall I smite them? - The repetition of the words mean, “Shall I utterly smite them?” Compare similar repetitions with similar meanings in Genesis 22:17; Luke 22:15.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 2 Kings 6:21. My father, shall I smite — This was dastardly; the utmost he could have done with these men, when thus brought into his hand, was to make them prisoners of war.