As the next morning was about to dawn, the Lord "made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host;" and they, seized with fear, "arose and fled in the twilight," leaving "their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it was," with rich stores of food. They "fled for their life," not tarrying until after the Jordan had been crossed.

Den syriske konge besluttede at rydde profeten af vejen og sagde: "Gå hen og se, hvor han er, for at jeg kan sende folk ud og lade ham gribe!" Profeten var i Dotan, og da kongen fik dette at vide, "sendte han heste og vogne og en stor hærstyrke derhen; og de kom ved nattetide og omringede byen. Næste morgen tidlig, da den Guds mand gik ud, se, da var byen omringet af en hær og heste og vogne."