More Are With Us

The Story

The king of Syria kept setting ambushes for Israel, and every time, Israel’s king knew exactly where to avoid. The Syrian king was sure there was a spy in his camp. “No,” his officers told him. “It’s Elisha, the prophet. He tells the king of Israel the words you speak in your bedroom.”

So the king sent horses, chariots, and a great army by night to surround the little town of Dothan, where Elisha was staying.

Early the next morning, Elisha’s servant stepped outside and saw soldiers everywhere. “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” Elisha calmly answered, “Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.” Then he prayed, “Lord, open his eyes.” Suddenly the servant saw the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

As the Syrians came down, Elisha prayed again, and God struck them with blindness. Elisha led the whole confused army straight into Samaria, Israel’s capital. When their eyes were opened, they were surrounded. The king of Israel asked, “Shall I kill them?” Elisha said no. “Set bread and water before them.” So the king threw them a great feast and sent them home. And the Syrian raiders stopped coming into Israel.

Reflection