So Elisha might say: “This is not the way, neither is this the city; follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom ye seek.”
There was a taunt in the tone; there was sarcasm in the emphasis. Nor is the verse to be read in its unity. It is to be read as part and parcel of a whole narrative.
Now, what became of all this so-called deception and stratagem?
When the people were come into Samaria, Elisha said: “Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.”
He prayed, first, that their sight might be taken away. That seemed to be cruel. Now he prays that their sight may be given to them again.
“And, behold, they were in the midst of Samaria. And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them: ‘My father!’” As if he had become a convert. The son of Ahab and Jezebel said to Elisha: “My father!” A reluctant and hypocritical compliment, for Jehoram could be neither reverent or true.
But, said he, observing the prize that was before him: “Shall I smite them? Shall I smite them?” This was a Hebraism equal to: “Smiting, shall I smite?” So Jehoram said: “Shall I, smiting, smite them?”
Elisha answered: “No.”
Now, let us hear what this man can say who has been judged guilty of untruth and of stratagem.
Elisha said to Jehoram: “Thou shalt not smite them. Wouldst thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive without thy sword and without thy bow?” This is the same as saying: “If you yourself have won the victory, then you can smite; but you did not take these men, and therefore you shall not smite them. What you have taken by your own sword and spear may be your lawful prize in war; but here is a capture with which you have had nothing to do.”