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s for the king of Israel？ 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。〃
Determined to make away with the prophet； the Syrian king commanded； 〃Go and spy where he is； that I may send and fetch him。〃 The prophet was in Dothan； and； learning this； the king sent thither 〃horses； and chariots； and a great host： and they came by night； and compassed the city about。 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early； and gone forth； behold； an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots。〃
In terror Elisha's servant sought him with the tidings。 〃Alas； my master！〃 he said； 〃how shall we do？〃
〃Fear not；〃 was the answer of the prophet； 〃for they that be with us are more than they that be with them。〃 And then； that the servant might know this for himself； 〃Elisha prayed； and said； Lord； I pray Thee； open his eyes； that he may see。〃 〃The Lord opened the eyes of the young
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man； and he saw： and； behold； the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha。〃 Between the servant of God and the hosts of armed foemen was an encircling band of heavenly angels。 They had come down in mighty power； not to destroy； not to exact homage； but to encamp round about and minister to the Lord's weak and helpless ones。
When the people of God are brought into strait places； and apparently there is no escape for them； the Lord alone must be their dependence。
As the company of Syrian soldiers boldly advanced； ignorant of the unseen hosts of heaven； 〃Elisha prayed unto the Lord； and said； Smite this people； I pray Thee； with blindness。 And He smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha。 And Elisha said unto them； This is not the way； neither is this the city： follow me； and I will bring you to the man whom ye seek。 But he led them to Samaria。
〃And it came to pass； when they were come into Samaria； that Elisha said； Lord； open the eyes of these men； that they may see。 And the Lord opened their eyes； and they saw； and； behold； they were in the midst of Samaria。 And the king of Israel said unto Elisha； when he saw them； My father； shall I smite them？ shall I smite them？ And he answered； Thou shalt not smite them： wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow？ set bread and water before them； that they may eat and drink； and go to their master。 And he prepared great provision for them： and when they had eaten
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and drunk； he sent them away； and they went to their master。〃 See 2 Kings 6。
For a time after this； Israel was free from the attacks of the Syrians。 But later； under the energetic direction of a determined king； Hazael； the Syrian hosts surrounded Samaria and besieged it。 Never had Israel been brought into so great a strait as during this siege。 The sins of the fathers were indeed being visited upon the children and the children's children。 The horrors of prolonged famine were driving the king of Israel to desperate measures； when Elisha predicted deliverance the following day。
As the next morning was about to dawn； the Lord 〃made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots； and a noise of horses； even the noise of a great host；〃 and they； seized with fear； 〃arose and fled in the twilight；〃 leaving 〃their tents； and their horses； and their asses； even the camp as it was；〃 with rich stores of food。 They 〃fled for their life；〃 not tarrying until after the Jordan had been crossed。
During the night of the flight； four leprous men at the gate of the city； made desperate by hunger； had proposed to visit the Syrian camp and throw themselves upon the mercy of the besiegers； hoping thereby to arouse sympathy and obtain food。 What was their astonishment when； entering the camp； they found 〃no man there。〃 With none to molest or forbid； 〃they went into one tent； and did eat and drink； and carried thence silver； and gold； and raiment； and went and hid it； and came again； and entered into another tent； and carried thence also； and went and hid it。 Then they said one to another； We do not well： this day is
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a day of good tidings； and we hold our peace。〃 Quickly they returned to the city with the glad news。
Great was the spoil； so abundant were the supplies that on that day 〃a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel； and two measures of barley for a shekel；〃 as had been foretold by Elisha the day before。 Once more the name of God was exalted before the heathen 〃according to the word of the Lord〃 through His prophet in Israel。 See 2 Kings 7：5…16。
Thus the man of God continued to labor from year to year； drawing close to the people in faithful ministry； and in times of crisis standing by the side of kings as a wise counselor。 The long years of idolatrous backsliding on the part of rulers and people had wrought their baleful work； the dark shadow of apostasy was still everywhere apparent； yet here and there were those who had steadfastly refused to bow the knee to Baal。 As Elisha continued his work of reform； many were reclaimed from heathenism； and these learned to rejoice in the service of the true God。 The prophet was cheered by these miracles of divine grace； and he was inspired with a great longing to reach all who were honest in heart。 Wherever he was he endeavored to be a teacher of righteousness。
From a human point of view the outlook for the spiritual regeneration of the nation was as hopeless as is the outlook today before God's servants who are laboring in the dark places of the earth。 But the church of Christ is God's agency for the proclamation of truth； she is empowered by Him to do a special work； and if she is loyal to God； obedient to His commandments； there will dwell within her the excellency of divine power。 If she will be true to her
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allegiance； there is no power that can stand against her。 The forces of the enemy will be no more able to overwhelm her than is the chaff to resist the whirlwind。
There is before the church the dawn of a bright； glorious day； if she will put on the robe of Christ's righteousness； withdrawing from all allegiance to the world。
God calls upon His faithful ones； who believe in Him； to talk courage to those who are unbelieving and hopeless。 Turn to the Lord； ye prisoners of hope。 Seek strength from God； the living God。 Show an unwavering； humble faith in His power and His willingness to save。 When in faith we take hold of His strength； He will change； wonderfully change； the most hopeless； discouraging outlook。 He will do this for the glory of His name。
So long as Elisha was able to journey from place to place throughout the kingdom of Israel； he continued to take an active interest in the upbuilding of the schools of the prophets。 Wherever he was； God was with him； giving him words to speak and power to work miracles。 On one occasion 〃the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha； Behold now； the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us。 Let us go； we pray thee； unto Jordan； and take thence