2 Kings6
World English Bible · Public Domain
1The sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “See now, the place where we live and meet with you is too small for us.
2Please let us go to the Jordan, and each man take a beam from there, and let’s make us a place there, where we may live.” He answered, “Go!”
3One said, “Please be pleased to go with your servants.” He answered, “I will go.”
4So he went with them. When they came to the Jordan, they cut down wood.
5But as one was cutting down a tree, the ax head fell into the water. Then he cried out and said, “Alas, my master! For it was borrowed.”
6The 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.
7He said, “Take it.” So he put out his hand and took it.
8Now the king of Syria was at war against Israel; and he took counsel with his servants, saying, “My camp will be in such and such a place.”
9The man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, “Beware that you not pass this place, for the Syrians are coming down there.”
10The 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 or twice.
11The king of Syria’s heart 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?”
12One 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.”
13He said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him.” He was told, “Behold, he is in Dothan.”
14Therefore he sent horses, chariots, and a great army there. They came by night and surrounded the city.
15When 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?”
16He answered, “Don’t be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
17Elisha prayed, and said, “Yahweh, please open his eyes, that he may see.” Yahweh opened the young man’s eyes, and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire around Elisha.
18When they came down to him, Elisha prayed to Yahweh, and said, “Please strike this people with blindness.” He struck them with blindness according to Elisha’s word.
19Elisha 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.
20When they had come into Samaria, Elisha said, “Yahweh, open these men’s eyes, that they may see.” Yahweh opened their eyes, and they saw; and behold, they were in the middle of Samaria.
21The king of Israel said to Elisha, when he saw them, “My father, shall I strike them? Shall I strike them?”
22He 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, then go to their master.”
23He prepared a great feast for them. After they ate and drank, he sent them away and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria stopped raiding the land of Israel.
24After this, Benhadad king of Syria gathered all his army, and went up and besieged Samaria.
25There 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.
26As the king of Israel was passing by on the wall, a woman cried to him, saying, “Help, my lord, O king!”
27He said, “If Yahweh doesn’t help you, where could I get help for you? From the threshing floor, or from the wine press?”
28Then the king asked her, “What is your problem?” She answered, “This woman said to me, ‘Give your son, that we may eat him today, and we will eat my son tomorrow.’
29So we boiled my son and ate him; and I said to her on the next day, ‘Give up your son, that we may eat him;’ and she has hidden her son.”
30When 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 body.
31Then he said, “God do so to me, and more also, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat stays on him today.”
32But 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?”
33While he was still talking with them, behold, the messenger came down to him. Then he said, “Behold, this evil is from Yahweh. Why should I wait for Yahweh any longer?”
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 2 Kings 6.
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