2 Kings 2–7: Lesson 85

2 Kings 6

“They That Be with Us”

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When surrounded by the Syrian army, the prophet Elisha’s servant cried out in fear, “How shall we do?” (2 Kings 6:15). Have you ever felt fearful as Elisha’s young servant did? This lesson can help increase your confidence in the Lord’s constant and watchful care.

Study the Scriptures

How might it affect you if you were able to see God each time He was present in your life?

Ponder how well you recognize Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ’s involvement in your life. As you study 2 Kings 6, invite the Holy Ghost to help you recognize ways Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are blessing and protecting you.

During a time of war between Israel and Syria, the king of Syria privately discussed his battle plans with his servants. However, the Lord repeatedly revealed Syria’s plans to the prophet Elisha, who would then warn the king of Israel. When the king of Syria discovered this, he sent an army to capture Elisha (see 2 Kings 6:8–13).

Read 2 Kings 6:14–16. If you were the servant surrounded by the army, what would you think as you heard Elisha say, “They that be with us are more than they that be with them?” Consider tagging this phrase as “divine help.”

Read 2 Kings 6:17. Create a note that expresses the following truth: the Lord can help me recognize His blessings and protection in my life. In your note, include your thoughts on how knowing this truth might impact a teenager today.

Continue reading 2 Kings 6:18–23. Mark the miraculous way the Lord protected Elisha and his servant.

After you read, you might also watch “Elisha and the Lord’s Army” (1:09) to help you visualize the story. Look for details from the scriptures that the video missed.

Review the following study options. Complete one or more. Then complete the “Now What?” section at the end of the lesson.

Option A

How can I recognize the Lord’s blessings and protection in my life?

Blessed Art Thou Among Women, by Walter Rane

To help you recognize ways the Lord can bless and protect you, study three or more of the following resources. Each time you find a phrase about the Lord’s protection, tag it as “God’s protection,” “promised blessings,” or a tag you create.

1. Mosiah 24:13–14

2. Doctrine and Covenants 8:2–3

3. Doctrine and Covenants 38:7

4. Doctrine and Covenants 84:88

5. President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency taught the following about the Lord’s help:

   

   Like that servant of Elisha, there are more with you than those you can see opposed to you. Some who are with you will be invisible to your mortal eyes. The Lord will bear you up and will at times do it by calling others to stand with you. (“O Ye That Embark,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 58)

6. President Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught the following in his talk “The Ministry of Angels” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 29–30):

In your notebook, respond to one or more of the following questions:

• When has the Lord blessed or protected you or someone you know in one of these ways?

• What does this experience teach you about the Lord?

Option B

How is God involved in the details of my life?

Which of the following challenges do you think God cares about?

• Taking a difficult test at school

• Losing keys or a cell phone

• Struggling with a relationship

Read 2 Kings 6:1–7, looking for a small miracle the prophet Elisha performed.

Create a note next to verse 5, summarizing your thoughts about the following questions:

• Why was losing the axe head a concern for this man?

• In the context of the plan of salvation, how important is an axe head?

• What does this miracle teach you about God?

President Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018) taught the following:

Our Heavenly Father is aware of our needs and will help us as we call upon Him for assistance. I believe that no concern of ours is too small or insignificant. The Lord is in the details of our lives. (“Consider the Blessings,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2012, 88)

Write about an experience you had in which the Lord helped you in a small way. If you can’t think of an experience, write what you learned today that can help you recognize the Lord in your life.

Now What?

Sister Michelle D. Craig, formerly of the Young Women General Presidency, explained what we can do if we struggle to see how God is working in our lives:

There may be times when you, like the servant, find yourself struggling to see how God is working in your life—times when you feel under siege—when the trials of mortality bring you to your knees. Wait and trust in God and in His timing, because you can trust His heart with all of yours. But there is a second lesson here. My dear sisters and brothers, you too can pray for the Lord to open your eyes to see things you would not normally see. (“Eyes to See,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 15)

Find a place where you can kneel in personal prayer. Share with the Lord anything you are struggling with. Follow Sister Craig’s suggestion: “Pray for the Lord to open your eyes to see things you would not normally see.”

Share Your Thoughts

Lesson Purpose: To help increase your confidence in the Lord’s constant and watchful care.

Share one or more of the following with your teacher or class:

• The list you made of ways the Lord watches over and cares for us.

• What you wrote about an experience in which you received help from the Lord in a small way, or what you learned today that can help you recognize the Lord in your life.

• Something specific you did to achieve the purpose of this lesson.

• Any questions this lesson raised for you. How will you try to find answers to your questions?