- 108-
This explains how one of the servants of Ben-hadad - probably, one of those by
whom these secret communications were carried on - could so readily point out that
the information was conveyed by Elisha, whose prophetic knowledge compassed the
inmost secrets of Syria's council-chamber.^223
It also explains how the residence of Elisha could be so readily ascertained, and an
expedition planned and hastily carried out with the view of making him a prisoner.
We have no difficulty in identifying the Dothan which was now the temporary
residence of Elisha, and the object of Ben-Hades' attack. The spot still bears the old
designation of Tell (hill) Dothan. The "twin wells" which gave it that name, are north
and east of it. The place itself - about twelve miles north of Samaria, and a little to
the south-west of Engannim - stands on a green hill, or enclosed upland basin,^224
overlooking (to the north) one of the richest pasture-lands, the oblong plain of
Dothan.
Here Joseph's brethren could find sufficient sustenance for their flocks when they had
exhausted for a time the wider plain of Shechem (Genesis 37:17). Just below it, to
the south, is the great caravan-route from Gilead to Sharon, and thence to Egypt,
where those Midianites passed to whom Joseph was sold by his brethren. Dothan is
surrounded by an amphitheater of hills; but northwards it looks out over the plain
towards those defiles through which the Syrian host advanced that was to capture
Elisha.
So far from being surprised at the array of "horses, and chariots, and a strong
power,"^225 which Ben-hadad dispatched on this expedition, we feel that it is
thoroughly in accordance with the heathen notions of power.
In the course of this narrative we have repeatedly met instances of this, and even the
proposal to send fifty strong men for the rescue of Elijah (2 Kings 2:16) may be
regarded as representing the influence of similar ideas in Israel. Besides, it might
have been that the people would rise in defense of their prophet. Elisha knew all
these preparations on the part of Ben-hadad; knew also, that during the night the city
had been surrounded by the Syrians, so that, to the eye of man, there seemed no way
of escape. But he rested quietly, for he also knew that "He that keepeth Israel neither
slumbers nor sleeps." Nay, does it not seem as if the language of Psalms 121 quite
specially described his experience, and as if he had been looking up to those
"mountains" from whence his help was to come? And is it not often so in the
experience of God's people, as if the wording of the Psalms were almost literally
portraying alike what they feel and hope, and what happens to them?
It was early morning, and the servant of the prophet – not Gehazi now, but perhaps
one of "the sons of the prophets" – went forth, it may be to make preparation for the
(^)