2 Kings 6:15

When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early in the morning, behold, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. So he asked Elisha, “Oh, my master, what are we to do?”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The servant of Elisha rises at dawn and exits the city to discover an Aramean army surrounding it, then turns to his master to ask what action to take.

The words — The Hebrew וַ֠/יַּשְׁכֵּם (va/i.yash.kem) literally means “and he rose early,” while חַ֛יִל (Cha.yil) identifies the hostile “army” that has encircled the city.

The thread — The servant’s confrontation with an overwhelming force echoes the plea in 2 Chronicles 20:12 and the rebuke of fear in Matthew 8:26.

Why it lands — The text records a human reaction to imminent danger before divine reassurance arrives, requiring the reader to acknowledge panic as the default response to visible threats.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

King James Version

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. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?

Cross-references

Matthew 8:26 “You of little faith,” Jesus replied, “why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it was perfectly calm.
2 Chronicles 20:12 Our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this vast army that comes against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”
Exodus 24:13 So Moses set out with Joshua his attendant and went up on the mountain of God.
Psalms 53:5 There they are, overwhelmed with dread, where there was nothing to fear. For God has scattered the bones of those who besieged you. You put them to shame, for God has despised them.
1 Kings 19:21 So Elisha turned back from him, took his pair of oxen, and slaughtered them. Using the oxen’s equipment for fuel, he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow and serve Elijah.
2 Kings 3:11 But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no prophet of the LORD here? Let us inquire of the LORD through him.” And one of the servants of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.”
2 Kings 5:20 Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Look, my master has spared this Aramean, Naaman, by not accepting what he brought. As surely as the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.”
2 Kings 5:27 Therefore, the leprosy of Naaman will cling to you and your descendants forever!” And as Gehazi left his presence, he was leprous—as white as snow.
2 Kings 6:5 As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axe head fell into the water. “Oh, my master,” he cried out, “it was borrowed!”
Matthew 20:26 It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,