Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Kings 6:17

"And Elisha prayed, and said, Jehovah, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And Jehovah opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha." — 2 Kings 6:17 (ASV)

And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw. This happened just as the Lord had opened Elisha’s own eyes to see a similar vision of unearthly glory when his master was taken away (2 Kings 2:10; 2 Kings 2:12). (Compare also Numbers 22:31.)

The mountain: This refers to the mountain on which Dothan stood.

Horses and chariots of fire: This means literally, horses and chariots—namely, fire. Fire was the well-known symbol of Jehovah’s visible presence and His protective or destroying might, from the days of the patriarchs onwards (Genesis 15:17; Exodus 3:2; Exodus 13:21 and following; Exodus 19:16 and following; Isaiah 29:6; Isaiah 30:30; Isaiah 30:33; Isaiah 33:14).

Just as fiery chariots and horses parted Elijah from Elisha (2 Kings 2:12), so now a similar vision surrounds and protects Elisha. “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, allowing 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 horses and chariots at His command, and that these are of fire.