Elisha's Chariots Of Fire

Elisha's Chariots Of Fire

Under King Ahab, the Israelites were troubled everywhere. Robber bands came sweeping down from Syria to lay waste the flocks and fields. Each time, the prophet Elisha warned the people. Then the Syrian king sent out horsemen and chariots to capture Elisha.

When the prophet's

servant saw them coming, he cried: "O master, what shall we do?" But Elisha answered: "Fear not, for they that be with us are more than they that be with them." Then the eyes of the servant beheld that the mountain was full of chariots of fire round about Elisha. And as the prophet prayed, the Syrians became confused and lost their way, and wandered into the midst of the hosts of Israel.

Instead of ordering the invaders to be slain, Elisha persuaded the ruler of Israel to place meat and drink before them and to let them go in peace. And they returned to their own land, and their robber bands came no more to trouble Israel.