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.

The Floating Axe Head

1
The sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “See now, the place where we dwell before you is too small for us. ​
2
Please let us go to the Jordan, and every man take a beam from there, and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell.” He answered, “Go!”
3
One said, “Please be pleased to go with your servants.” He answered, “I will go.”
4
So he went with them. When they came to the Jordan, they cut down wood.
5
But as one was felling a beam, the ax head fell into the water. Then he cried, and said, “Alas, my master! For it was borrowed.” ​
6
The man of God asked, “Where did it fall?” He showed him the place. He cut down a stick, threw it in there, and made the iron float. ​
7
He said, “Take it.” So he put out his hand and took it.

Elisha Reveals Syrian War Plans

8
Now the king of Syria was warring against Israel; and he took counsel with his servants, saying, “My camp will be in such and such a place.” ​
9
The man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, “Beware that you not pass such a place; for the Syrians are coming down there.” ​
10
The king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of; and he saved himself there, not once nor twice.
11
The heart of the king of Syria was very troubled about this. He called his servants, and said to them, “Won’t you show me which of us is for the king of Israel?”
12
One of his servants said, “No, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.” ​
13
He said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him.” It was told him, saying, “Behold, he is in Dothan.”
14
Therefore he sent horses, chariots, and a great army there. They came by night, and surrounded the city. ​

Chariots of Fire Protect Elisha

15
When the servant of the man of God had risen early, and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was around the city. His servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” ​
16
He answered, “Don’t be afraid; for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” ​
17
Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, please open his eyes, that he may see.” the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire around Elisha. ​
18
When they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, and said, “Please strike this people with blindness.” He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. ​
19
Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, neither is this the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” He led them to Samaria.
20
When they had come into Samaria, Elisha said, “LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.” The LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and behold, they were in the midst of Samaria.
21
The king of Israel said to Elisha, when he saw them, “My father, shall I strike them? Shall I strike them?”
22
He answered, “You shall not strike them. Would you strike 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.” ​
23
He prepared great feast for them. When they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. The bands of Syria stopped raiding Eretz-Israel. ​

The Siege and Great Famine

24
After this, Benhadad king of Syria gathered all his army, and went up and besieged Samaria. ​
25
There was a great famine in Samaria. Behold, they besieged it, until a donkey’s head was sold for eighty pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a kab of dove’s dung for five pieces of silver. ​
26
As the king of Israel was passing by on the wall, a woman cried to him, saying, “Help, my lord, O king!”
27
He said, “If the LORD doesn’t help you, from where could I help you? From of the threshing floor, or from the wine press?”
28
The king said to her, “What ails you?” She answered, “This woman said to me, ‘Give your son, that we may eat him today, and we will eat my son tomorrow.’
29
So we boiled my son, and ate him: and I said to her on the next day, ‘Give your son, that we may eat him;’ and she has hidden her son.” ​
30
When the king heard the words of the woman, he tore his clothes (now he was passing by on the wall); and the people looked, and behold, he had sackcloth underneath on his flesh.
31
Then he said, “God do so to me, and more also, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stay on him this day.” ​

Elisha Confronts the King's Anger

32
But Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. Then the king sent a man from before him; but before the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, “Do you see how this son of a murderer has sent to take away my head? Behold, when the messenger comes, shut the door, and hold the door shut against him. Isn’t the sound of his master’s feet behind him?” ​
33
While he was still talking with them, behold, the messenger came down to him. Then he said, “Behold, this evil 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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