8. When the king of Aram was waging war on Israel, he would make plans with his servants: “I will bivouac at such and such a place.”
9. But the man of God would send word to the king of Israel, “Be careful! Do not pass by this place, for Aram will attack there.”
10. So the king of Israel would send word to the place which the man of God had indicated, and alert it; then they would be on guard. This happened several times.
11. Greatly disturbed over this, the king of Aram called together his officers and asked them, “Will you not tell me who among us is for the king of Israel?”
12. “No one, my lord king,” answered one of the officers. “The Israelite prophet Elisha can tell the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.”
13. He said, “Go, find out where he is, so that I may take him captive.”Informed that Elisha was in Dothan,
14. he sent there a strong force with horses and chariots. They arrived by night and encircled the city.
15. Early the next morning, when the servant of the man of God arose and went out, he saw the force with its horses and chariots surrounding the city. “Alas!” he said to Elisha. “What shall we do, my lord?”
16. Elisha answered, “Do not be afraid. Our side outnumbers theirs.”
17. Then he prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes, that he may see.” And the Lord opened the eyes of the servant, and he saw that the mountainside was filled with fiery chariots and horses around Elisha.
18. When the Arameans came down to get him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike this people blind, I pray you.” And the Lord struck them blind, according to Elisha’s word.
19. Then Elisha said to them: “This is the wrong road, and this is the wrong city. Follow me! I will take you to the man you want.” And he led them to Samaria.