2 Kings 6:20-23 – The power of prayer and grace

In the earlier verses, we saw how Elisha prayed for the army of Aram who came to Dothan to apprehend him to be stricken blind. And the LORD answered and did exactly as he had requested. Then he instructed that they be led to Samaria. Now in 2 Kings 6:20-23, we saw what happened when they came to Samaria. Elisha prayed for them again and this time he asked the LORD to open their eyes so that they might see. And as with the first request that he had made, the LORD  answered his prayer. The army saw and realized that they were in Samaria.

When the king of Israel saw what happened, he called out to Elisha asking, “My father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?” Instead of being given the instruction to slaughter them, the prophet instructed that they be treated with hospitality and kindness instead. For according to the rules of warfare, helpless captives should not be killed mercilessly. So he ordered that they set bread and water before them, that they might eat and drink and then return to their master. Verses 23 tells us that a great feast was prepared for the captured marauding band of Arameans. After they had eaten and drunk, they were sent home to their master. What Elisha did, dealt with the problem once and for all, and the Arameans did not attack Israel again.      

The first lesson we learn from this account is the power of prayer. Most problems we encounter in life are best dealt with through prayer. This is the weapon God had left for us believers to make His help available in times of our needs. Sadly, this is also where we often failed because we would come to Him only as the last resort and not our first option. We must bear in mind that God can do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we can ever ask or think or imagine. James 5:16 reminds us that the prayer of a righteous person is effective and can accomplish much.

The second lesson we can appropriate from this account is the power of grace. Refusing to take advantage of the Arameans’ helplessness, Elisha instructed that they be treated with kindness. Can’t imagine how the Arameans felt! But we know that it settled the problem once and for all. For they did not attack Israel again that way.  Grace is more powerful than revenge and aggression. When we choose to return good for evil, we demonstrate the effectiveness of what Christ had accomplished at the cross. Calvary is the greatest display of divine grace. Let us show grace and experience what can be accomplished!