NOTES for Ki2 6:1-33

Once again there is war with Syria, and once again Elisha is with his people. Yet something entirely new happened in this war, something never seen before. That Elisha used spiritual power to capture the Syrian army is not, generally speaking, unexpected; we already know that with God's help Elisha is capable of astonishing deeds. What is striking is something else: it is Elisha, the disciple of the formidable Elijah and himself capable of extreme severity, who not only prevents the prisoners from being slaughtered but compels the king to send them home in peace and with honor. That was not at all how people were accustomed to act in those days, or indeed in other times.

It is significant that these very Syrians, who experienced Elisha's mercy, ceased to be enemies of Israel. Mercy proved beneficial even from the practical standpoint of the state. But what happened in those days was more important than any immediate interests. The cruelty reigning in the world was pushed back a little further.

Yet the world continues to lie in evil, and now famine rules in besieged Samaria. Unable to feed the people, the king wants to take out his frustration on Elisha. It is indeed characteristic of us humans, instead of solving the problem of “what is to be done?”, to determine “who is to blame”. And often we do not even investigate, but simply appoint a scapegoat...