Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Kings 6:21
And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite [them]? shall I smite [them]?
21. My father ] The form of address is strange from the mouth of the king even though he be described (2Ki 3:2) as better than his father and his mother. It is however one more token of the great influence exercised in Israel by the prophets Elijah and Elisha. In the present instance Jehoram could hardly undertake to smite the prisoners brought into his hands by the prophet without Elisha’s consent, though his repeated question ‘Shall I smite them? Shall I smite them?’ shews how eager he was to destroy them.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
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 kings character was not changed appears from 2Ki 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 Gen 22:17; Luk 22:15.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 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.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Elisha had doubtless sent notice of his intentions to
the king of Israel, that he might accordingly prepare himself.
My father: now he gives him this title of reverence and affection, because of a great and present benefit he received from him; though otherwise he hated him, and would not hearken to his counsel.
Shall I smite them? the repetition of the question shows his great desire to smite them, and that with utter destruction.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
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.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Elisha forbade king Joram to slay the enemy that he had brought to him, because he had not taken them prisoners in war, and recommended him to treat them hospitably and then let them return to their lord. The object of the miracle would have been frustrated if the Syrians had been slain. For the intention was to show the Syrians that they had to do with a prophet of the true God, against whom no human power could be of any avail, that they might learn to fear the almighty God. Even when regarded from a political point of view, the prophet’s advice was more likely to ensure peace than the king’s proposal, as the result of 2Ki 6:23 clearly shows. The Syrians did not venture any more to invade the land of Israel with flying parties, from fear of the obvious protection of Israel by its God; though this did not preclude a regular war, like that related in the following account. For see the Comm. on 2Ki 5:13. : “art thou accustomed to slay that which thou hast taken captive with sword and bow?” i.e., since thou dost not even slay those whom thou hast made prisoners in open battle, how wouldst thou venture to put these to death? , he prepared them a meal. is a denom. from , a meal, so called from the union of several persons, like coena from (vid., Dietr. on Ges. Lex. s. v. ).
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
(21) My father.Comp. 2Ki. 2:12; 2Ki. 8:9 (Thy son Ben-hadad), 2Ki. 13:14.
Shall I smite them,? shall I smite them?Or, May I smite? may I smite, my father? The repetition expresses the kings eagerness to slay his powerless enemies. He asks the prophets permission. (Comp. 2Ki. 4:7.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
21. Shall I smite them Perhaps this question was prompted by the remembrance of Ahab’s great mistake in not smiting the king of Syria when he had him in his power, and for which mistake he was so sternly rebuked by one of the prophets. 1Ki 20:35-43.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
How sweet a gospel lesson is folded up under these verses! When Jesus brings his enemies under his power; and when their eyes are opened to see how the Lord hath surrounded them, their knees bow before him, and the weapons of sin fall out of their hands: oh! how graciously doth he feed them, and what great and gracious provisions doth he set before them. Yes! dearest Lord Jesus, I will bear testimony to thy clemency, for when thou hadst brought me home to thyself, and made me thy captive in the day of thy power; then it was. O Lord, that I discovered the truth of that blessed scripture: This man receiveth sinners and eateth with them. Luk 15:2 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
2Ki 6:21 And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite [them]? shall I smite [them]?
Ver. 21. My father, shall I smite them? ] He calleth the prophet, “My father,” either in a compliment, as Jer 3:4 , or else in a sudden pang, which was soon over. See 2Ki 6:31 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
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. 2Ki 2:12, 2Ki 5:13, 2Ki 8:9, 2Ki 13:14
shall: 1Sa 24:4, 1Sa 24:19, 1Sa 26:8, Luk 9:54-56, Luk 22:49
Reciprocal: Jdg 17:10 – a father Jdg 18:19 – a father Mat 23:9 – call Mar 6:20 – feared
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Ki 6:21-22. Shall I smite them? shall I smite them? This repetition of the question shows his eager desire to fall upon them and kill them. Perhaps he remembered how God was displeased at his father for dismissing out of his hands those whom he had put it into his power to destroy, and he would not offend in like manner: yet such reverence has he now for the prophet, that he will not lift a hand against them without his permission. He answered, Thou shall not smite them It is against the laws of humanity to kill captives, though thou thyself hadst taken them with thy own sword and bow, which might seem to give thee some colour to destroy them; but much more unworthy will it be in cold blood to kill these, whom not thy arms, but Gods providence hath put into thy hands. Set bread before them Give them meat and drink, which may refresh and strengthen them for their journey. This was an action of singular piety and charity, in doing good to their enemies, which was much to the honour of the true religion, and of no less prudence; that hereby the hearts of the Syrians might be mollified toward the Israelites. Elijah had given a specimen of divine justice, when he called for flames of fire on the heads of his persecutors to consume them: but Elisha here gave a specimen of divine mercy, in heaping coals of fire on the heads of his persecutors to melt them.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
6:21 And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, {l} My father, shall I smite [them]? shall I smite [them]?
(l) The wicked use reverent and grave words toward the servants of God, when they think to have any blessing from them, though in their heart they cannot abide them.