Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Kings 6:21

"And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite them? shall I smite them?" — 2 Kings 6:21 (ASV)

My father. — Compare 2 Kings 2:12; 2 Kings 8:9 (Thy son Ben-hadad); 2 Kings 13:14.

Shall I smite them? Shall I smite them? — Or, May I smite? May I smite, my father? The repetition expresses the king’s eagerness to slay his powerless enemies. He asks the prophet’s permission. (Compare 2 Kings 4:7.)