ELISHA. 269

there horses and chariots and a great army—by night
they went—and surrounded the city. When the ser-
vant of Elisha rose in the morning, and saw the host
that compassed the city, he was very much afraid.
“‘ Alas, my master,” he said, “ how shall we do?”
“ Fear not,” the man of God replied, “for they that be
with us are more than they that be with them.”

Johnnie. What did he mean by that, grandfather?
Was there a large army in Dothan ?

Grandfather. He meant that God was on his side.
He prayed that the eyes of his servant might be opened,
that he might see how the God of Israel protected his
faithful people. The eyes of the young man were
opened, and he saw the mountain full of horses and
chariots of fire round about the prophet. Then Elisha
prayed that the people of Syria might be smitten with
blindness. The prayer was granted. Then not know-
ing where they were going, they suffered themselves to
be led to Samaria.

Johnnie. Where was Samaria ?

Grandfather. It was the capital of the kingdom of
Israel. When the Syrians entered it, in answer to the
prayer of Elisha, their eyes were again opened, and they
saw themselves entirely in the power of the king of
Israel. Jehoram was doubtless both pleased and sur-
prised when he saw his enemies in his power. “ My
father, shall I smite them ?” he said to Elisha. But this
the prophet forbade. “ Set bread and water before them,”
he said, “ that they may eat and drink and go to their