My father. — Comp. 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. (Comp. 2 Kings 4:7.)