18. As the Syrian army came closer, Elisha prayed, “Lord, make those soldiers blind!” And the Lord blinded them with a bright light.
19. Elisha told the enemy troops, “You've taken the wrong road and are in the wrong town. Follow me. I'll lead you to the man you're looking for.” Elisha led them straight to the capital city of Samaria.
20. When all the soldiers were inside the city, Elisha prayed, “Lord, now let them see again.” The Lord let them see that they were standing in the middle of Samaria.
21. The king of Israel saw them and asked Elisha, “Should I kill them, sir?”
22. “No!” Elisha answered. “You didn't capture these troops in battle, so you have no right to kill them. Instead, give them something to eat and drink and let them return to their leader.”
23. The king ordered a huge meal to be prepared for Syria's army, and when they finished eating, he let them go.For a while, the Syrian troops stopped invading Israel's territory.
24. Some time later, King Benhadad of Syria called his entire army together, then they marched to Samaria and attacked.
25. They kept up the attack until there was nothing to eat in the city. In fact, a donkey's head cost about eighty pieces of silver, and a small bowl of pigeon droppings cost five pieces of silver.
26. One day as the king of Israel was walking along the top of the city wall, a woman shouted to him, “Please, Your Majesty, help me!”
27. “Let the Lord help you!” the king said. “Do you think I have grain or wine to give you?”