"They that be with us are more than they that be with them."--_2 Kings
6:16._
THE great enemies of the kings of Israel were the Syrians, who lived at
Damascus; but whenever the Syrians made a plan to come and fight with
the Israelites, God made it known to the Prophet Elisha; and he told
King Joram, so that the Israelite soldiers were always ready before
hand to fight with the Syrians. The king of Syria began to think one of
his own men must tell Joram; but they said it was the Prophet Elisha
who told the king of Israel what was said in the most secret chamber of
the king of Syria. Then the Syrians sent an army of men to take Elisha
at Dothan, and kill him.
They came by night, and when Elisha's servant looked out in the
morning, he saw horses and chariots all round the place. He was afraid,
and cried out "Alas, my master! how shall we do?" But Elisha said to
him, "Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be
with them." And he prayed that the young man's eyes might be opened
that he might see: and so they were--to see the whole mountain round
about full of chariots of fire and horses of fire; many, many more than
the Syrians had, and all come to take care of Elisha.
And God made the Syrians unable to see that Elisha was before them, and
he led them all the way to Samaria, and put them before King Joram as
his prisoners. Joram wanted to put them to death, but Elisha would not
let him, and they were all sent safe home, and did not come back as
enemies for a long time. And we know that, though we cannot see them,
God's angels are still in great armies encamped all round about those
who fear Him, to deliver them.