2 Kings 6:16

And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(16) They that be with us . . . with them.—Comp. Numbers 14:9; Psalm 3:6, “I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people that have set themselves against me round about”; and 2Chronicles 32:7-8, with Notes.

Benson Commentary

2 Kings 6:16. He answered, Fear not — He was concerned to remove the fears of his servant, and impart to him the same satisfaction and peace of mind he possessed himself in this time of extraordinary danger; for good men desire not only to be easy themselves, but to make those about them easy. And all those whose faith is strong, ought tenderly to consider and compassionate those who are weak, and of a timorous spirit, and do what they can to strengthen their hands. For they that be with us — To protect us, Are more than they that be against us — To destroy us: the angels are unspeakably more numerous, and God infinitely more powerful.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

6:13-23 What Elisha said to his servant is spoken to all the faithful servants of God, when without are fightings, and within are fears. Fear not, with that fear which has torment and amazement; for they that are with us, to protect us, are more than they that are against us, to destroy us. The eyes of his body were open, and with them he saw the danger. Lord, open the eyes of our faith, that with them we may see thy protecting hand. The clearer sight we have of the sovereignty and power of Heaven, the less we shall fear the troubles of earth. Satan, the god of this world, blinds men's eyes, and so deludes them unto their own ruin; but when God enlightens their eyes, they see themselves in the midst of their enemies, captives to Satan, and in danger of hell, though, before, they thought their condition good. When Elisha had the Syrians at his mercy, he made it appear that he was influenced by Divine goodness as well as Divine power. Let us not be overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. The Syrians saw it was to no purpose to try to assault so great and so good a man.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

They that be with us ... - Elisha gave utterance to the conviction of all God's saints when the world persecutes them (compare marginal references). God - they know - is on their side; they need "not fear what flesh can do unto them." His angels - an innumerable host - are ever guarding those who love Him.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

15. his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?—When the Syrian detachment surrounded the place by night, for the apprehension of the prophet, his servant was paralyzed with fear. This was a new servant, who had only been with him since Gehazi's dismissal and consequently had little or no experience of his master's powers. His faith was easily shaken by so unexpected an alarm.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

No text from Poole on this verse.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And he answered, fear not, for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. Meaning the legions of angels that encamped around them.

Geneva Study Bible

And he answered, {g} Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.

(g) For he was assured of God's help, and that millions of angels camped about the godly to deliver them.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

16. they that be with us] Elisha speaks as a man whose eyes are opened, and who in consequence is sure of Jehovah’s protection, whether he beholds the angelic host about him or not.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 16. - And he - i.e. Elisha - answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. Elisha did not need to see the forces arrayed on his side. He knew that God and God's strength was "with him," and cared not who, or how many, might be against him (cutup. Psalm 3:6, "I will not be afraid for ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about;" and Psalm 27:3, "Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident"). His confidence reminds us of that shown by Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 32:7) on the invasion of Sennacherib. 2 Kings 6:16

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

When Elisha's servant went out the next morning and saw the army, which had surrounded the town in the night, he said to the prophet, "Alas, my lord, how shall we do?" But Elisha quieted him, saying, "Fear not, for those with us are more than those with them." He then prayed that the Lord might open his servant's eyes, whereupon he saw the mountain upon which Dothan stood full of fiery horses and chariots round about Elisha. Opening the eyes was translation into the ecstatic state of clairvoyance, in which an insight into the invisible spirit-world was granted him. The fiery horses and chariots were symbols of the protecting powers of Heaven, which surrounded the prophet. The fiery form indicated the super-terrestrial origin of this host. Fire, as the most ethereal of all earthly elements, was the most appropriate substratum for making the spirit-world visible. The sight was based upon Jacob's vision (Genesis 32:2), in which he saw a double army of angels encamped around him, at the time when he was threatened with danger from Esau.