2 Reis 6:17

And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw. — Just as the Lord had opened Elisha’s own eyes to see the like vision of unearthly glory when his master was taken away (2 Reis 2:10; 2 Reis 2:12). (Comp. also Números 22:31.)

The mountain. — On which Dothan stood.

Horses and chariots of fire. — Literally, horses and chariots, to wit, fire. Fire was the well-known symbol of Jehovah’s visible presence and protective or destroying might, from the days of the patriarchs onwards (Gênesis 15:17; Êxodo 3:2; Êxodo 13:21, seq., 19:16, seq.; Isaías 29:6; Isaías 30:30; Isaías 30:33; Isaías 33:14). As fiery chariots and horses parted Elijah from Elisha (2 Reis 2:12), so now a similar appearance surrounds and protects the latter. “It is a fine thought,” says Thenius, “that on this occasion the veil of earthly existence was lifted for a moment for one child of man, so as to allow him a clear glimpse of the sovereignty of Providence.” The form of the supernatural appearance was, no doubt, conditioned by the circumstances of the time. Chariots and horses were the strength of the Aramean oppressors of Israel; therefore, Jehovah causes His earthly ministers to see that He also has at His command horses and chariots, and that of fire.