The next cases of prophetic lies are associated with the prophet Elisha. The first is connected with the siege of Dothan (2 Kgs. 6:8–23). Elisha tells the detachment of the Aramean army who was sent to capture Elisha, “This is not the road, and this is not the town; follow me, and I will lead you to the man you want” (v. 19). He then leads the soldiers to the king of Israel in Samaria. Here is another example of deception toward the enemy. Technically speaking, has the prophet lied or intended to utter untrue words?
The context of the text concerns itself with the intent of the Arameans to attack and kill the king of Israel. Elisha had warned the king not to pass through (v. 9) and is addressed in the second person singular. In an earlier war between these two, the king of Aram commanded his chariot officers to attack no one but the king of Israel (1 Kgs. 22:31). Relying on spies to trace the king’s movements, he would win a great victory over Israel if he could capture the king. So, when Elisha instructs them to follow him and he would lead them to the man you want (v. 19), this was not an outright lie. They understood him to lead them to the man of God in Dothan whom they were sent to capture. Of course, this led to their own capture and defeat. Elisha misled the Arameans through ambiguity.
Again, the context is a time of war and clear distinctive markers are between friend and foe.