2 Kings6
English Standard Version
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1 Now the of the , , the we under your is too us.
2 us the and , and let us a for us to . And he , .
3 Then of them , Be to with your . And he , I will .
4 So he with them. And when they to the , they .
5 But as was a , his into the , and he , , my ! It was .
6 Then the of , did it ? When he him the , he a and it in and the .
7 And he , Take it . So he reached his and it.
8 Once when the of was against , he with his , , At and a shall be my .
9 But the of word to the of , that you do , the are .
10 And the of to the about the of him. Thus he used to him, so that he than .
11 And the of the of was of , and he his and to them, Will you me us is for the of ?
12 And of his , , my , O ; but , the is in , the of the you in your .
13 And he , and he is, that I may and him. It was him, , he is in .
14 So he and and a , and they by and the .
15 When the of the of early in the and , , an with and was all the . And the , , my ! shall we ?
16 He , Do be , those who are with us are those are with them.
17 Then and , O Lord, his that he may . So the Lord the of the , and he , and , the was of and of all .
18 And when the Syrians against him, to the Lord and , with . So he them with in accordance with the of .
19 And to them, is the , and is the . me, and I will you to the you . And he them to .
20 As soon as they , , O Lord, the of men, that they may . So the Lord their and they , and , they were in the of .
21 As soon as the of them, he to , My , shall I ? Shall I ?
22 He , You shall . Would you those you have taken with your and with your ? and them, that they may and and to their .
23 So he for them a , and when they had and , he , and they to their . And the did on into the of .
24 of his and and .
25 And there was a in , as they it, a was sold for , and the of a of for .
26 Now as the of was the , a to him, , , my , O !
27 And he , If the Lord will you, shall I you? the , the ?
28 And the her, is your trouble? She , to me, your , that we may him , and we will my .
29 So we my and him. And on the I to her, your , that we may him. But she has her .
30 When the the of the , he his —now he was the —and the , and , he had his —
31 and he , May to me and also, the of the of his shoulders .
32 was in his , and the were with him. Now the king had a his , but the Elisha to the , Do you has to my ? , when the , the and the against him. Is the of his him?
33 And while he was them, the to him and , is the Lord! should I for the Lord any ?
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2 Kings 6Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 2 Kings 6. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The sons of the prophets enlarge their habitations, Iron made to swim. (1–7). Elisha discloses the counsels of the Syrians. (8–12). Syrians sent to seize Elisha. (13–23). Samaria besieged, A famine, The king sends to slay Elisha. (24–33).
vv1-7
There is that pleasantness in the converse of servants of God, which can make those who listen to them forget the pain and the weariness of labour. Even the sons of the prophets must not be unwilling to labour. Let no man think an honest employment a burden or a disgrace. And labour of the head, is as hard, and very often harder, than labour with the hands. We ought to be careful of that which is borrowed, as of our own, because we must do as we would be done by. This man was so respecting the axe-head. And to those who have an honest mind, the sorest grievance of poverty is, not so much their own want and disgrace, as being rendered unable to pay just debts. But the Lord cares for his people in their smallest concerns. And God's grace can thus raise the stony iron heart, which is sunk into the mud of this world, and raise up affections, naturally earthly.
vv8-12
The king of Israel regarded the warnings Elisha gave him, of danger from the Syrians, but would not heed the warnings of danger from his sins. Such warnings are little heeded by most; they would save themselves from death, but will not from hell. Nothing that is done, said, or thought, by any person, in any place, at any time, is out of God's knowledge.
vv13-23
What Elisha said to his servant is spoken to all the faithful servants of God, when without are fightings, and within are fears. Fear not, with that fear which has torment and amazement; for they that are with us, to protect us, are more than they that are against us, to destroy us. The eyes of his body were open, and with them he saw the danger. Lord, open the eyes of our faith, that with them we may see thy protecting hand. The clearer sight we have of the sovereignty and power of Heaven, the less we shall fear the troubles of earth. Satan, the god of this world, blinds men's eyes, and so deludes them unto their own ruin; but when God enlightens their eyes, they see themselves in the midst of their enemies, captives to Satan, and in danger of hell, though, before, they thought their condition good. When Elisha had the Syrians at his mercy, he made it appear that he was influenced by Divine goodness as well as Divine power. Let us not be overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. The Syrians saw it was to no purpose to try to assault so great and so good a man.
Key Words
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
נָבִיא: a prophet or (generally) inspired man
אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)
פָּנִים: the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.)
אֱלִישָׁע: Elisha, the famous prophet
מָקוֹם: properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
אֲשֶׁר: who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.
יִשְׁוִי: Jishvi, the name of two Israelites
צַר: narrow; (as a noun) a tight place (usually figuratively, i.e. trouble); also a pebble ; (transitive) an opponent (as crowding)
מִן: properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
Cross References
2 Kings 6Direct fulfillment of Moses' covenantal curse warning that mothers would eat their children during sieges.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Recalls the same supernatural chariots of fire seen at Elijah's departure, showing ongoing divine protection.
Supported by JFB
The same word for mental blindness/hallucination is used here as with the Sodomites.
Supported by JFB
Geographical identification of Dothan, the same location where Joseph was sold by his brothers.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Illustrates the scriptural reality of the angel of the Lord encamping around those who fear Him.
Supported by JFB
Practical demonstration of feeding one's enemy to overcome evil with good.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The Mosaic law regarding the responsibility and strict justice of restoring borrowed items.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Mosaic curse predicted in the law, where Israel would eat the flesh of their children.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Jehoram's murderous vow mimics his mother Jezebel's oath to slaughter Elijah.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Explains why Elisha had a new, inexperienced servant following Gehazi's recent leprosy dismissal.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Another historical instance of Israel feeding and releasing captives instead of executing them.
Supported by JFB
Parallels prophetic perception recognizing an approaching messenger before they knock on the door.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Mosaic legal precedent involving an axe-head slipping from a wooden handle during logging.
Supported by Matthew Poole
God opening eyes to see provision/safety that was physically present but spiritually hidden.
Supported by JFB