2 Kings6

Elisha performs a miracle by making a borrowed axe head float. He then supernaturally discerns the Syrian king's military plans, repeatedly saving Israel. When the Syrians attempt to capture Elisha, he blinds them and leads them to Samaria, where they are fed and released, halting further raids. The chapter concludes with a severe famine during a subsequent Syrian siege of Samaria, leading to extreme desperation and the king's vow to kill Elisha.
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The Floating Axe Head

1
And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us. ​
2
Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan, and take thence every man a beam, and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell. And he answered, Go ye.
3
And one said, Be content, I pray thee, and go with thy servants. And he answered, I will go.
4
So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood.
5
But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed. ​
6
And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim. ​
7
Therefore said he, Take it up to thee. And he put out his hand, and took it.

Elisha Reveals Syrian War Plans

8
Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp. ​
9
And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down. ​
10
And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice.
11
Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not shew me which of us is for the king of Israel?
12
And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber. ​
13
And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan.
14
Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about. ​

Chariots of Fire Protect Elisha

15
And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? ​
16
And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. ​
17
And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And 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. ​
18
And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. ​
19
And Elisha said unto them, This is not the way, neither is this the city: follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom ye seek. But he led them to Samaria.
20
And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see. And the LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and, behold, they were in the midst of Samaria.
21
And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite them? shall I smite them?
22
And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master. ​
23
And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel. ​

The Siege and Great Famine

24
And it came to pass after this, that Benhadad king of Syria gathered all his host, and went up, and besieged Samaria. ​
25
And there was a great famine in Samaria: and, behold, they besieged it, until an ass's head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of dove's dung for five pieces of silver. ​
26
And as the king of Israel was passing by upon the wall, there cried a woman unto him, saying, Help, my lord, O king.
27
And he said, If the LORD do not help thee, whence shall I help thee? out of the barnfloor, or out of the winepress?
28
And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, This woman said unto me, Give thy son, that we may eat him to day, and we will eat my son to morrow.
29
So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son. ​
30
And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes; and he passed by upon the wall, and the people looked, and, behold, he had sackcloth within upon his flesh.
31
Then he said, God do so and more also to me, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stand on him this day. ​

Elisha Confronts the King's Anger

32
But Elisha sat in his house, and the elders sat with him; and the king sent a man from before him: but ere the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, See ye how this son of a murderer hath sent to take away mine head? look, when the messenger cometh, shut the door, and hold him fast at the door: is not the sound of his master's feet behind him? ​
33
And while he yet talked with them, behold, the messenger came down unto him: and he said, Behold, this evil is of the LORD; what should I wait for the LORD any longer? ​

Study Notes for 2 Kings 6

Verse 1

The 'sons of the prophets' were communities of spiritual disciples established by Elijah and Elisha. Their need for expansion indicates the growth and health of the prophetic movement in Israel.

Verse 5

The urgency of the prophet’s cry emphasizes the seriousness of losing borrowed property. The miracle is performed not just to display power, but to restore integrity and relieve the prophet’s distress.

Verse 6

Elisha’s simple action of throwing a stick into the water demonstrates God’s power extending even to the reversal of natural laws, providing for the practical needs of his servants.

Verse 8

This section introduces the ongoing conflict between Israel and Aram (Syria). The Syrian king (likely Benhadad) uses secret strategy, but Elisha’s divine insight renders these plans useless.

Verse 9

Elisha acts as a divine intelligence agent, protecting the King of Israel (Joram) despite Israel’s spiritual failures, emphasizing God’s faithfulness to preserve his people.

Verse 12

This verse underscores the extent of divine knowledge available through Elisha—God knows the most secret thoughts and plans of the enemies, even those spoken in the king's private chamber.

Verse 14

Dothan was a strategic city located on a major trade route, making it an ideal place for the Syrian army to attempt to capture Elisha.

Verse 15

The young servant’s fear reflects the limitations of human sight and reliance on physical defense. His initial despair contrasts with Elisha’s calm faith.

Verse 16

Elisha’s reply is a profound declaration of faith, asserting the reality of the invisible spiritual army protecting God’s prophet. The forces of heaven outweigh earthly threats.

Verse 17

The 'horses and chariots of fire' recall Elijah’s fiery ascension (2 Kings 2:11). This vision provides a visible manifestation of God’s overwhelming heavenly army, assuring the servant of divine protection.

Verse 18

Elisha requests temporary blindness, a state of confusion and disorientation (Hebrew: *sanwerim*). This serves to disarm the enemy without immediate slaughter.

Verse 22

Elisha commands an act of radical mercy and hospitality toward the enemy, promoting non-retaliation. This act demonstrates God’s desire for magnanimity and served to demoralize future Syrian raids.

Verse 23

The generosity shown by Israel led to a temporary period of peace. This illustrates that covenant actions (mercy toward the enemy) can be more effective than military might.

Verse 24

This siege by Benhadad contrasts sharply with the earlier peaceful resolution, showing the continued geopolitical struggle and the cyclical nature of conflict.

Verse 25

This verse portrays the horrific conditions of the famine, fulfilling the curses of the Mosaic covenant (Deuteronomy 28:53). The high price of non-food items signifies absolute desperation.

Verse 29

The act of cannibalism is the ultimate sign of covenant disaster and national breakdown (Leviticus 26:29), illustrating the consequence of Israel’s continued disobedience.

Verse 31

The king blames Elisha for the catastrophe, shifting responsibility from the nation's sin onto the prophet who represented God. This rash vow of execution demonstrates profound spiritual ignorance and misplaced rage.

Verse 32

Elisha supernaturally knows the king’s murderous intent before the messenger arrives. His reference to the king as 'this son of a murderer' likely refers to King Ahab or the bloody history of the ruling dynasty.

Verse 33

The king's statement reflects profound theological despair: he recognizes that the suffering is 'of the LORD' but concludes that waiting for God to act is useless, demonstrating a complete breakdown of trust.

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