Elisha & Heavenly Chariots of Fire at Dothan

The account of Elisha at Dothan is one of the most comforting revelations of divine protection in all of Scripture. It reminds believers that no matter how overwhelming physical dangers appear, God's invisible spiritual host is always surrounding and guarding His people. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

1. The Floating Iron Axe Head

Elisha cut a stick and threw it into the Jordan River at the spot, and made the iron axe head float to the surface.

The company of the prophets said to Elisha, "Look, the place where we meet with you is too small for us. Let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a pole; and let us build a place there for us to me."

And he said, "Go." Then one of them said, "Won't you please come with your servants?" "I will," Elisha replied. And he went with them.

They went to the Jordan and began to cut down trees. As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axe head fell into the water. "Oh no, my lord!" he cried out. "It was borrowed!"

The man of God asked, "Where did it fall?" When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron axe head float!

"Lift it out," he said. Then the man reached out his hand and took it. God cares even about the practical distress of His humble servants.

2. Frustrating the Syrian Military Ambushes

Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, "I will set up my camp in such and such a place."

The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: "Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there." So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places.

This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, "Tell me! Which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?"

"None of us, my lord the king," said one of his officers, "but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom."

"Go, find out where he is," the king ordered, "so I can send men and capture him." The report came back: "He is in Dothan."

3. Surrounded at Dothan: "Those With Us Are More"

Then the King of Aram sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city of Dothan.

When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?" the servant cried out.

"Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

4. The Vision of Heavenly Chariots of Fire

And Elisha prayed, "Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see."

Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha!

The servant realized that the enemy army was utterly dwarfed and encompassed by the radiant host of heaven's angelic army.

5. Blinding the Enemy and Returning Good for Evil

As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, "Strike this army with blindness." So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.

Elisha told them, "This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for." And he led them to Samaria—the fortified capital of Israel!

After they entered the city, Elisha said, "Lord, open the eyes of these men so they can see." Then the Lord opened their eyes and they looked, and there they were, inside Samaria surrounded by the King of Israel's soldiers!

When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, "Shall I kill them, my father? Shall I kill them?"

"Do not kill them," he answered. "Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master."

So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel's territory for a long time.

Reflections on the Story:

• Spiritual Sight Over Physical Fear: Physical eyes see surrounding problems, but spiritual eyes see God's surrounding protection. "Those with us are more!"
• God Cares for Small Things: Making an iron axe head float shows that God's power extends to ordinary personal distresses as well as national defense.
• Overcoming Evil with Good: Elisha fed the enemy army rather than executing them, breaking the cycle of warfare through divine mercy.