2 Kings 6:11

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Kings 6:11 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not show me which of us is for the king of Israel?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not show me which of us is for the king of Israel?
2 Kings 6:11 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Kings 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11And the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not show me which of us is for the king of Israel?

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing, etc.] There was as it were a storm in his breast, as the word signifies; he was like a troubled sea, tossed with tempests, exceeding uneasy in his mind, fretting at the disappointment he met with time after time: and he called his servants, and said unto them, will ye not show me which of us is for the king of Israel? he suspected that some one of his counsellors was in the interest of the king of Israel, and betrayed his secrets to him, which was the cause of his disappointments.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Benhadad supposed that there must be a traitor in his camp. He asks therefore, “Will no one denounce him?” return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“6:11-14 When the king of Aram learned that Elisha had the ability to give advance warning to the king of Israel, he commanded his men to capture the prophet. • Dothan was situated about ten miles north of Samaria. Archaeological excavations have confirmed the city’s existence in this period.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Therefore: Sa1 28:21; Job 18:7-11; Psa 48:4, Psa 48:5; Isa 57:20, Isa 57:21; Mat 2:3-12 Will ye not: Sa1 22:8 4 Kings (2 Kings) 6:12”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“The king of the Syrians was enraged at this, and said to his servants, "Do ye not show me who of our men (leans) to the king of Israel?" i.e., takes his part. משּׁלּנוּ = לנוּ מאשׁר, probably according to an Aramaean dialect: see Ewald, 181, b., though he pronounces the reading incorrect, and would read מכּלּנוּ, but without any ground and quite unsuitably, as the king would thereby reckon himself among the traitors. 4 Kings (2 Kings) 6:12”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification