So when the Syrians came down to him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, and said, “Strike this people, I pray, with blindness.” And He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. Now Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, nor is this the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” But he led them to Samaria. So it was, when they had come to 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 there they were, inside Samaria! Now when the king of Israel saw them, he said to Elisha, “My father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?” But he answered, “You shall not kill them. Would you kill those whom you have taken captive with your sword and your bow? Set food and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master.” Then he prepared a great feast for them; and after they ate and drank, he sent them away and they went to their master. So the bands of Syrian raiders came no more into the land of Israel. (2 Kings 6:18-23)

Mercy To The Enemy

During the days of the prophet Elisha, the king of Syria fought against the king of Israel. He would set up his camp in a place to trap the Israelite army, but on multiple occasions, the Israelites had been warned to stay away from that area. The Syrian king was greatly troubled that he may have a spy in his army warning the king of Israel. Somehow, one of the king’s servants knew it was Elisha who was warning the Israelite king of where the Syrians were camped as if he were standing in the king’s bedroom. The king sent his army to the city of Dothan, where Elisha lived. A great army surrounded the city with horses and chariots by night, taking the city by surprise.

In the morning, the people looked out and saw the great Syrian army besieging the city. A servant of Elisha was terrified, pleading to his master what to do. Elisha, the prophet of God, assured the servant there was nothing to fear as those who were with them were greater than the army pressing the city. This may have puzzled the servant as he looked at the formidable Syrian army with its great might against the small city of Dothan. Elisha prayed to the Lord to open the eyes of the servant and see the mountain filled with horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. The army of the Lord was so much greater than the Syrian army.

When the Syrians approached the city, Elisha asked God to blind them. Elisha went out to the army, telling them they were in the wrong city and to follow him. Blinded and trusting the prophet’s voice, the army followed Elisha to Samaria, twelve miles away. When the Lord opened the eyes of the Syrians, they found themselves trapped inside the city of Samaria. This must have terrified them greatly as they knew death was certain. Even the king of Samaria wanted to kill the army, but was forbidden by the prophet. Elisha told the king to set food and water before the Syrians and let them return home. A great feast was prepared for them, and afterward, they were allowed to return home to their master.

The salvation of the Syrian raiders was unconventional warfare. Elisha showed his servant the power of God with the army of the Lord on the mountains surrounding Dothan. The prophet taught the king and the people of Israel a lesson on divine mercy. Syria was a sworn enemy of Israel as the Syrians constantly raided and pillaged the northern tribes. The army of Syria was a very powerful force to reckon with. Instead of killing all the soldiers trapped inside the city of Samaria, Elisha told the Israelite king to prepare food and water for them. A great feast was prepared. The soldiers feasted and then returned home because God had shown mercy to save the lives of the Syrians.

There are many times when God utterly wipes out the enemies of Israel. The mercy of God was given to the army coming against Elisha to spare them and command the Israelites to bless their enemies with kindness. It had to be an awkward scene of the Syrian army marching through the city gates blinded and the opportunity of the king to wipe out a whole army with ease. God did not permit it. Instead, He commanded mercy to shown in feeding them and letting them return home. As the Syrians walked home, it had to impress on their minds the gracious character of God’s people upon their enemies.

Jesus taught the importance of having mercy on those who oppose us. People will curse, hate, and persecute the righteous, and the disciple of Christ will love their enemies, bless those who curse them, do good to those who hate them, and pray for those who spitefully use them and persecute them. This is the same thing demanded of the Israelites against the hated Syrians. To be a child of the Father, the Christian learns that God brings rain and sunshine to all men who deserve mercy. There is a time for divine justice, but it must begin with mercy. Abraham pleaded for mercy on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, but none was found. There were other times the Syrian army was defeated, but it never discounted the mercy of God.

It is important to apply the story of the Syrians personally. The child of God is a lost sinner washed in the blood of Jesus Christ. No one deserves the mercy of God, and it is impossible to pay the debt owed because of sin. Yet, the mercy of God is given to all those who will accept the grace of God to be cleansed of sin and be found whole before the throne of God. We are the Syrian army blinded by sin. Death is what we deserve. God’s wrath is what we face. Through the mercy of God, we can feast at the table of the Lord when we find salvation in Jesus Christ. God has allowed us an eternal home if we obey His word. Mercy. Thank God for His mercy.