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

Now the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “Please take note that the place where we meet with you is too small for us.

Please let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a log so we can build ourselves a place to live there.” “Go,” said Elisha.

Then one of them said, “Please come with your servants.” “I will come,” he replied.

So Elisha went with them, and when they came to the Jordan, they began to cut down some trees.

As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axe head fell into the water. “Oh, my master,” he cried out, “it was borrowed!”

“Where did it fall?” asked the man of God. And when he showed him the place, the man of God cut a stick, threw it there, and made the iron float.

“Lift it out,” he said, and the man reached out his hand and took it.

Elisha Reveals Syrian War Plans

Now the king of Aram was at war against Israel. After consulting with his servants, he said, “My camp will be in such and such a place.”

Then the man of God sent word to the king of Israel: “Be careful passing by this place, for the Arameans are going down there.”

So the king of Israel sent word to the place the man of God had pointed out. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places.

For this reason the king of Aram became enraged and called his servants to demand of them, “Tell me, which one of us is on the side of the king of Israel?”

But one of his servants replied, “No one, my lord the king. For Elisha, the prophet in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.”

So the king said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send men to capture him.” On receiving the report, “Elisha is in Dothan,”

the king of Aram sent horses, chariots, and a great army. They went there by night and surrounded the city.

Chariots of Fire Protect Elisha

When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early in the morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. So he asked Elisha, “Oh, my master, what are we to do?”

“Do not be afraid,” Elisha answered, “for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

As the Arameans came down against him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, “Please strike these people with blindness.” So He struck them with blindness, according to the word of Elisha.

And Elisha told them, “This is not the way, and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will take you to the man you are seeking.” And he led them to Samaria.

When they had entered Samaria, Elisha said, “O LORD, open the eyes of these men that they may see.” Then the LORD opened their eyes, and they looked around and discovered that they were in Samaria.

And when the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “My father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?”

“Do not kill them,” he replied. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them, that they may eat and drink and then return to their master.”

So the king prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. And the Aramean raiders did not come into the land of Israel again.

The Siege and Great Famine

Some time later, Ben-hadad king of Aram assembled his entire army and marched up to besiege Samaria.

So there was a great famine in Samaria. Indeed, they besieged the city so long that a donkey’s head sold for eighty shekels of silver, and a quarter cab of dove’s dung sold for five shekels of silver.

As the king of Israel was passing by on the wall, a woman cried out to him, “Help me, my lord the king!”

He answered, “If the LORD does not help you, where can I find help for you? From the threshing floor or the winepress?”

Then the king asked her, “What is the matter?” And she answered, “This woman said to me, ‘Give up your son, that we may eat him, and tomorrow we will eat my son.’

So we boiled my son and ate him, and the next day I said to her, ‘Give up your son, that we may eat him.’ But she had hidden her son.”

When the king heard the words of the woman, he tore his clothes. And as he passed by on the wall, the people saw the sackcloth under his clothes next to his skin.

He announced, “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if the head of Elisha son of Shaphat remains on his shoulders through this day!”

Elisha Confronts the King's Anger

Now Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. The king sent a messenger ahead, but before he arrived, Elisha said to the elders, “Do you see how this murderer has sent someone to cut off my head? Look, when the messenger comes, shut the door to keep him out. Is not the sound of his master’s footsteps behind him?”

While Elisha was still speaking with them, the messenger came down to him. And the king said, “This calamity is from the LORD. Why 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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2 Kings6

The Floating Axe Head

Elisha Reveals Syrian War Plans

Chariots of Fire Protect Elisha

The Siege and Great Famine

Elisha Confronts the King's Anger

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