The King of Syria sent spies to find out where Elisha was located; and it was reported to him that he was at Dothan 14 miles from Samaria. The King sent a great army by night and surrounded the city.
In the morning the servant of Elisha saw the Syrians approaching. He was afraid saying to Elisha, “Alas! What shall we do?” Elisha replied, “Fear not, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Elisha prayed, and said, “O Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes that he may see.” So, the Lord 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.” Elisha prayed that the Syrian army where blinded so that they could not where they were going, The Lord answered his prayer and Elisha guided the Syrian army into Samaria. As soon as they entered Samaria, Elisha said, “O Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.” So, the Lord opened their eyes, and they saw; and lo, they were in the midst of Samaria,” 2 Kings 6: 11-19
“ When the king of Israel saw them, Syrian soldiers) he said to Elisha, “My father, shall I slay them? Shall I slay them?” He answered, “You shall not slay them. Would you slay those whom you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master.” So, he prepared for them a great feast; and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the Syrians came no more on raids into the land of Israel.” 2 Kings 6: 21-23. RSV Bible
In this true account Elisha’s prayers were answered: the Lord’s Army kept Elisha and his servant safe from being captured and none of the Syrian soldiers were killed, but where cared for and repatriated by the King of Israel.
Is it a God coincidence that the standard set up in the 19th Century were already established in 2 Kings 6: 21-23?
Henry Dunant on a business trip in Italy, arrived at Castiglione Della Pieve on the same day in June 1859 that the battle of Solferino was being fought nearby. The town was filled with war casualties, and he observed that they were very few doctors in attendance to the number of soldiers injured.
Henry Dunant in his book “A Memory of Solferino” he gives graphic details of the battle of Solferino (Northern Italy) the battle covered an area of twelve and a half miles. The armies of Austria, Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Algeria, Lichtenstein, Hungry and Rumania all engaged in the battle at Solferino.
It was not a coincidence that Henry Dunant a devout Christian turned up on that particular day. God chose a man of action, who would not just stand by and watch, he would use the Holy Spirit’s gift of wisdom observing where he could help and being strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit was able to cope with the horrific scene that the Lord had brought him into. Henry filled with the Lord’s compassionate love, came alongside the suffering, giving them his shoulder to lean on and he moved them to the place to get the treatment and relief from their pain.
Henry Dunant witnessed hand-to-hand fighting in all its horror and frightfulness. I have chosen not to write down an extract from the book, as it contains graphic details of what I would describe as hell on the earth. “A Memory of Solferino” by Henry Dunant. Published by The International Red Cross. Printed in Switzerland. (The Geneva Committee used the Swiss flag as an emblem for the’ International Red Cross,’ reversing its colours from a red background and a white cross to a red cross on a white background).
Henry Dunant describes in detail the injuries treated by the army doctors who, under great stress used their skill to alleviate pain and the distress of the soldiers. They soon ran out of all medicines, bandages, and chloroform. There was little or no clean water to quench severe thirst and clean wounds. No food to strengthen the weak and because there were so many soldiers looking for treatment for their wounds, little attention was paid to them. Henry writes that he heard the cries of young soldiers calling out for their mother. Henry tried to comfort men by saying a word to them as he passed by, their hands reaching out to him in their need. Everywhere he looked the dead lay where they had fallen, and nobody cared.
Within those few days of the battle, Henry Dunant organised the Lord’s Salvation Army of men and women from the surrounding towns, to set up their churches as hospitals: to cater for the wounded soldiers and for provision of water and food. “The boys of the neighbourhood ran back and forth between the churches with buckets, canteens and watering pots.” (Page 63) People from all backgrounds, nationalities came to help. However, he noticed that volunteers began to feel unable to cope with what they saw and what the work involved: seeing the terrible injuries and so many dying before them and feeling helpless unable to relieve their painful horrific injuries.
In his book Henry Dunant appealed to every man and woman from all classes and professions and those with none, to get involved to help the work forward. His faith reaching out to love our neighbour as ourselves. He said, “For the poor widow, alone in the world and anxious to devote her last strength to the welfare of her neighbour.” (Pages 125-127)
Towards the end of his book, Henry Dunant proposed: a) That societies of trained volunteers be organised in all countries for the purpose of helping to care for wounded combatants in time of war. b) For an international treaty among the nations to assure more humane care of the wounded. Treating all men whatever their nationality or rank as equals.
Henry Dunant in his love for God and his neighbour, showed his love for one another in bringing God’s light and love into the dark and loveless situation. God enabled him to serve and live out his faith by choosing to help the war casualties during and after the battle of Solferino.
Henry Dunant received the first Nobel Peace Prize in 1901 nine years before his death in 1910.
A Tribute to Henry Nunant and the Christian Volunteers
I pay tribute to the men, women and children who responded to God’s call on their lives, to meet the need of many of the casualties from the Battle of Solferino. Under the guidance of Henry Nunant their churches became places of hope for thousands of wounded soldiers. Though many of the volunteers had not the trained skills of a nurse or a doctor, they gave comfort by their actions and concern for each person without distinction. Also, the Lord’s army of people supporting and praying: for those who generously provided food and materials and those giving their mite to help in some way. DN