Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Kings 6:12

And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that [is] in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.

12. Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel ] This mention of Elisha points to such a knowledge of him as might have been gained through Naaman’s cure. It may however be that communications of other kinds passed between Syria and Israel, and that in some of these the precise nature of Elisha’s conduct was described. Nothing in the story of Naaman could suggest that Elisha gave information to the king of Israel.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

In thy bedchamber – literally, in the secret place of thy bedchamber, i. e., in the greatest possible secrecy. The seclusion of the harem must be taken into account for the full appreciation of the force of the phrase. Probably the Syrian lord who answered Benhadad had received his intelligence from some of the Israelites.

Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

And one of his servants said, none, my lord, O king,…. He believed everyone of his counsellors were true and faithful to him:

but Elisha the prophet, that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber; what is said in the most private place, and in the most secret manner: this man had heard much of Elisha, by Naaman, very probably; or perhaps he had attended him in his journey to Israel for a cure, and so might have personal knowledge of Elisha, and be acquainted with the affair of Gehazi; from whence he concluded, that he, who had the thoughts of men revealed to him, had knowledge of their words and counsels, though ever so secret; see Ec 10:20.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

Then one of the servants answered, “No, my lord king,” i.e., it is not we who disclose thy plans to the king of Israel, “but Elisha the prophet tells him what thou sayest in thy bed-chamber;” whereupon the king of Syria inquired where the prophet lived, and sent a powerful army to Dothan, with horses and chariots, to take him prisoner there. Dothan (see Gen 37:17), which according to the Onom. was twelve Roman miles to the north of Samaria, has been preserved under its old name in a Tell covered with ruins to the south-west of Jenin, on the caravan-road from Gilead to Egypt (see Rob. Bibl. Res. p. 158, and V. de Velde, Journey, i. pp. 273,274).

Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament

(12) One of his servants.The old interpreters thought of Naaman, but Elishas fame may have been otherwise known at Damascus.

None.Nay.

The words.The LXX. and Vulg.,all the words.

Telleth.From time to time, as the Hebrew form denotes.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

12. One of his servants said How knew this servant that Elisha gave the information? The fact was probably well known and much talked of in Israel, and from some Israelite this Syrian obtained his knowledge.

In thy bedchamber A proverbial expression meaning the most secret and confidential plans and counsels of the king.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

2Ki 6:12. Elisha the prophettelleth, &c. It is not to be doubted but that Naaman, upon his return from Samaria, spread the fame of Elisha so much in the court of Syria, that some of the great men there might have the curiosity to make a further inquiry concerning him; and being informed by several of his miraculous works, they might thence conclude that he could tell the greatest secrets, as well as perform the wonders related of him, and that therefore in all probability he was the person who gave the king of Israel intelligence of all the schemes which had been contrived to ensnare him.

REFLECTIONS.We have here,

1. A new invasion of Israel: on what occasion is not said. Note; The enemies of God’s Israel will not suffer them long to rest in peace.

2. Elisha, by his prophetic spirit, acquainted the king of Israel with all the ambuscades and motions of the Syrians, by which they were constantly disappointed in their designs. Note; (1.) God knows how to frustrate the wisest counsels of the crafty against his church and people. (2.) When God by his prophets gives us warning, it is our wisdom to hear and prepare for the day of evil; lest, if we continue secure in our sins, death surprise us, and we perish through our folly.

3. The king of Syria suspected a traitor in his council; but one of his servants wisely apprises him of the discoverer of his secrets; Elisha’s spirit visited his most retired chamber. Note; There is no place hid from the searching eye of God; even the secrets of all hearts to him are naked and open.

Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke

2Ki 6:12 And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that [is] in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.

Ver. 12. And one of his servants said. ] This was Naaman, saith Abulensis; but that is not likely. Rather it was some one that had been with Naaman, or on some other occasion, in Israel.

The words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber. ] State secrets, Areana imperil, should not be blabbed or blazed abroad. The Romans for this, built a temple to Consus, the god of their counsels, sub tecto in Circo, in an open place, but under much covert; to show that counsels must be kept secret. a Metellus Macedonicus was wont to say, that if he thought his shirt were privy to his designs, he would tear it off and cast it away. And Peter, king of Arragon, answered in like manner Pope Martin IV, who sent to him to ask what he meant by the navy he was then rigging forth. Benhadad suspected his counsellors of treachery; but Elisha it was who disclosed his designs and frustrated them, by his prophetical spirit.

a Servius.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

but = for: i.e. “[the fact is] that”.

Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics

None: Heb. No

Elisha: 2Ki 5:3, 2Ki 5:8, 2Ki 5:13-15, Amo 3:7

telleth: 2Ki 6:9, 2Ki 6:10, Isa 29:15, Jer 23:23, Jer 23:24, Dan 2:22, Dan 2:23, Dan 2:28-30, Dan 2:47, Dan 4:9-18, thy bed chamber, Psa 139:1-4, Ecc 10:20

Reciprocal: 1Ki 20:22 – the prophet 2Ki 4:27 – hid it from me 2Ki 5:26 – Went 2Ki 6:32 – ere the messenger 2Ki 8:5 – My lord 2Ki 8:7 – The man of God Job 12:22 – discovereth Psa 139:2 – knowest Joh 4:19 – I perceive

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

6:12 And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that [is] in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy {e} bedchamber.

(e) There is nothing so secret that you can go about, but he knows it, and reveals it to his king.

Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes