<2KI 6:8-23>Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; that... the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints." Eph. 1:15-18.
The ministry of Elisha touches on and enlightens several New Testament truths in picture form. This form makes the truth more interesting to us and helps us to lay hold of the underlying spiritual meaning in our souls.
It may seem strange to find an illustration of Eph. 1:18 in the second book of the Kings, especially when we have been taught that the "mystery" concerning Christ and the Church had not been revealed until it was given to the Apostle Paul by revelation (Eph. 3:5-8). But it is not strange, for "it is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter." Prov. 25:2.
The "mystery" was not revealed in 2 Kings 6:8-23, but what was written in the time of Elisha was written for us, "for whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." Rom. 15:4. "And they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come." 1 Cor. 10:11 JND.
"Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp. And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down. And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice." Verses 8-10.
The king of Syria was an enemy of Israel-God's people. The Lord sent the man of God to save His people Israel and these enemies; God sent the Lord Jesus to save all, for all were His enemies by wicked works.
"Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not show me which of us is for the king of Israel? And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber." Verses 11,12.