Bible Strands
2 Kings 6:8
Now the king of Aram was at war against Israel. After consulting with his servants, he said, “My camp will be in such and such a place.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator states that the king of Aram is fighting Israel and then addresses his own servants to announce his chosen military location.
The words — The Hebrew verb וַיּוּעַץ (va.yi.va.'Atz) translates literally as "he consulted," marking the moment the king actively seeks tactical advice before issuing his command.
The thread — This scene of royal consultation echoes Proverbs 20:18 on planning through counsel, while 2 Kings 6:24 and Proverbs 21:30 later contrast human strategy with divine sovereignty.
Why it lands — The text records a human commander's calculated move, requiring the reader to observe that earthly planning functions within a larger narrative rather than dictating outcomes.
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
Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp.
Cross-references
- 2 Kings 6:24 Some time later, Ben-hadad king of Aram assembled his entire army and marched up to besiege Samaria.
- Proverbs 20:18 Set plans by consultation, and wage war under sound guidance.
- Proverbs 21:30 There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.
- 1 Kings 22:31 Now the king of Aram had ordered his thirty-two chariot commanders, “Do not fight with anyone, small or great, except the king of Israel.”
- Job 5:12 He thwarts the schemes of the crafty, so that their hands find no success.
- Isaiah 7:5 For Aram, along with Ephraim and the son of Remaliah, has plotted your ruin, saying:
- Isaiah 8:10 Devise a plan, but it will be thwarted; state a proposal, but it will not happen. For God is with us.”
- 1 Kings 20:1 Now Ben-hadad king of Aram assembled his entire army. Accompanied by thirty-two kings with their horses and chariots, he marched up, besieged Samaria, and waged war against it.
- 1 Kings 20:23 Meanwhile, the servants of the king of Aram said to him, “Their gods are gods of the hills. That is why they prevailed over us. Instead, we should fight them on the plains; surely then we will prevail.
- 1 Kings 20:34 Ben-hadad said to him, “I will restore the cities my father took from your father; you may set up your own marketplaces in Damascus, as my father did in Samaria.” “By this treaty I release you,” Ahab replied. So he made a treaty with him and sent him away.