2 Kings 6
Second Kings 6 contains various miracles related to the prophet Elisha and records events of war between Aram and Israel. This chapter can be divided into three main parts: miracles that reveal God’s power (the miracle of the axe head), God’s protection that comes through the prophet (the encirclement of the Aram army and the host of angels), and God’s goodness shown during the war (the incident in which the Aram soldiers are blinded and then regain their sight), as well as a record of the severe famine that struck Israel.
1verseThe sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “See now, the place where we live and meet with you is too small for us.
2versePlease 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!”
3verseOne said, “Please be pleased to go with your servants.” He answered, “I will go.”
4verseSo he went with them. When they came to the Jordan, they cut down wood.
5verseBut 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.”
6verseThe 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.
7verseHe said, “Take it.” So he put out his hand and took it.
8verseNow 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.”
9verseThe man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, “Beware that you not pass this place, for the Syrians are coming down there.”
10verseThe 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.
11verseThe 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?”
12verseOne 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.”
13verseHe said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him.” He was told, “Behold, he is in Dothan.”
14verseTherefore he sent horses, chariots, and a great army there. They came by night and surrounded the city.
15verseWhen 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?”
16verseHe answered, “Don’t be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
17verseElisha prayed, and said, “LORD, please open his eyes, that he may see.” the LORD opened the young man’s eyes, and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire around Elisha.
18verseWhen 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 Elisha’s word.
19verseElisha 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.
20verseWhen they had come into Samaria, Elisha said, “LORD, open these men’s eyes, that they may see.” The LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and behold, they were in the middle of Samaria.
21verseThe king of Israel said to Elisha, when he saw them, “My father, shall I strike them? Shall I strike them?”
22verseHe 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.”
23verseHe 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.
24verseAfter this, Benhadad king of Syria gathered all his army, and went up and besieged Samaria.
25verseThere 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.
26verseAs the king of Israel was passing by on the wall, a woman cried to him, saying, “Help, my lord, O king!”
27verseHe said, “If the LORD doesn’t help you, where could I get help for you? From the threshing floor, or from the wine press?”
28verseThen 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.’
29verseSo 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.”
30verseWhen 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.
31verseThen he said, “God do so to me, and more also, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat stays on him today.”
32verseBut 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?”
33verseWhile 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?”
Axe Head Miracle (Verses 1-7)
While the students of the prophets who follow Elisha go to the bank of the Jordan River to cut down trees in order to expand their quarters, a borrowed axe head of one student falls into the river. In this desperate situation, Elisha throws a stick of wood into the water and shows the miracle of the axe head floating to the surface. This incident shows that even problems that seem small and ordinary are of interest to God, prompting us to reflect on God’s careful touch in our lives.
Aram’s Army and Elisha (Verses 8-23)
Although the king of Aram sought to attack Israel, Elisha repeatedly found out about the plot in advance and told the king of Israel. The king of Aram then sent his army to surround Elisha, but Elisha prayed to God and opened the eyes of his servant so that he could see that horses and chariots of fire filled the mountain. After that, through Elisha’s prayer, the eyes of the Aram army were blinded; then, once they were led into Samaria, the conflict paused as they were shown kindness and released. This incident suggests insight into spiritual reality and indicates that God’s mercy and judgment come before anger and war.
Famine and Despair in Samaria (Verses 24-33)
At the end of this chapter, there is an account of Aram besieging Samaria with a great army and plunging the city into severe famine. The people are driven into extreme hunger, and even terrible things happen. The king of Israel blames Elisha, but the prophet points to the need to trust God’s timing and plan. The emphasis is placed on an attitude of waiting for God’s will and persevering even in suffering.
Meditation Points
- Do you trust God, who answers when you pray even about small matters?
- Do you ask to see God’s help by seeking that your spiritual eyes be opened?
- Can you look to God’s will and wait for it in times of trial?
Try Applying It to Yourself
- Think about whether, in your everyday life, you are honestly bringing to God even the small worries and problems you face.
- Pray so that you can have the courage to trust in God’s help and protection beyond the visible reality.
- Rather than easily grumbling amid hardship and frustrating circumstances, may this be a day when you choose to trust in God’s good guidance to the very end.
