2 kings 6:13 - He said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him.” He was told, “Behold, he is in Dothan.”

Generated Verse: 2 kings 6:13

What does "2 kings 6:13" mean?


This verse (2 Kings 6:13) is a crucial part of a story about the prophet Elisha and the King of Aram (Syria). It reveals the king's plan to capture Elisha. Let's break down the meaning:

"He said, 'Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him.'" This is the King of Aram speaking. He's frustrated because Elisha has been miraculously revealing his war plans to the King of Israel, thwarting all his attacks (explained in the verses leading up to this). The King of Aram believes that if he can eliminate Elisha, he can successfully attack Israel. This sentence reveals his intent: he wants to locate Elisha so he can send troops to capture him (implied violence, not a polite request).

"He was told, 'Behold, he is in Dothan.'" Someone (likely a spy or an informant in the King of Aram's court) has located Elisha and provides the information to the King. Dothan was a town or region in Israel. The phrase "Behold" emphasizes the immediacy and certainty of the information.

In essence, the verse means:

The King of Aram, seeking to overcome the advantage Elisha is giving the King of Israel, ordered his people to find Elisha so he could send forces to capture him. They discovered that Elisha was in Dothan and reported that information back to the King.

Significance in the context of the story:

This verse sets the stage for the subsequent events. Knowing Elisha's location, the King of Aram sends a large army to Dothan to surround the city and capture the prophet. The next verses describe how Elisha's servant is afraid when he sees the army, and how Elisha prays for God to open the servant's eyes so he can see the divine protection surrounding them (chariots and horses of fire). The story ultimately highlights God's power and protection of Elisha.

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