1 And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us.
2 Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan, and take thence every man a beam, and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell. And he answered, Go ye.
3 And one said, Be content, I pray thee, and go with thy servants. And he answered, I will go.
4 So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood.
5 But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed.
6 And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast [it] in thither; and the iron did swim.
7 Therefore said he, Take [it] up to thee. And he put out his hand, and took it.
8 Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place [shall be] my camp.
9 And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down.
10 And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice.
11 Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not shew me which of us [is] for the king of Israel?
12 And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that [is] in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.
13 And he said, Go and spy where he [is], that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, [he is] in Dothan.
14 Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about.
15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?
16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that [be] with us [are] more than they that [be] with them.
17 And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain [was] full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
18 And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
19 And Elisha said unto them, This [is] not the way, neither [is] this the city: follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom ye seek. But he led them to Samaria.
20 And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, LORD, open the eyes of these [men], that they may see. And the LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and, behold, [they were] in the midst of Samaria.
21 And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite [them]? shall I smite [them]?
22 And he answered, Thou shalt not smite [them]: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.
23 And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.
24 And it came to pass after this, that Benhadad king of Syria gathered all his host, and went up, and besieged Samaria.
25 And there was a great famine in Samaria: and, behold, they besieged it, until an ass’s head was [sold] for fourscore [pieces] of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of dove’s dung for five [pieces] of silver.
26 And as the king of Israel was passing by upon the wall, there cried a woman unto him, saying, Help, my lord, O king.
27 And he said, If the LORD do not help thee, whence shall I help thee? out of the barnfloor, or out of the winepress?
28 And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, This woman said unto me, Give thy son, that we may eat him to day, and we will eat my son to morrow.
29 So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son.
30 And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes; and he passed by upon the wall, and the people looked, and, behold, [he had] sackcloth within upon his flesh.
31 Then he said, God do so and more also to me, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stand on him this day.
32 But Elisha sat in his house, and the elders sat with him; and [the king] sent a man from before him: but ere the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, See ye how this son of a murderer hath sent to take away mine head? look, when the messenger cometh, shut the door, and hold him fast at the door: [is] not the sound of his master’s feet behind him?
33 And while he yet talked with them, behold, the messenger came down unto him: and he said, Behold, this evil [is] of the LORD; what should I wait for the LORD any longer?
Overview of 2 Kings Chapter 6
2 Kings Chapter 6 is a pivotal chapter that showcases the prophetic ministry of Elisha, highlighting his miracles, the divine protection of Israel, and the conflict with the Arameans. The chapter is rich in themes of faith, divine intervention, and the power of God in the face of adversity.
Key Events in the Chapter
- The Axe Head Recovered (Verses 1-7)
In this passage, the sons of the prophets approach Elisha to request a larger place to dwell. They go to the Jordan River to cut down trees, but one of them loses an iron axe head in the water. Elisha performs a miracle by making the axe head float, demonstrating God’s concern for the needs of His people.
- Elisha and the Aramean Army (Verses 8-23)
This section describes the conflict between Israel and Aram. The king of Aram is frustrated because Elisha reveals his battle plans to the king of Israel. In response, the Aramean king sends a great army to capture Elisha. However, Elisha’s servant is terrified when he sees the army surrounding them. Elisha reassures him by praying for his eyes to be opened, revealing the heavenly army protecting them. Elisha then leads the Arameans into Samaria, where they are captured but treated with mercy instead of being killed.
- The Siege of Samaria (Verses 24-33)
The chapter concludes with the account of a severe famine in Samaria due to the siege by the Arameans. The desperation leads to horrific circumstances, including cannibalism. The king of Israel blames Elisha for the calamity, but Elisha prophesies that relief will come the next day, signaling a dramatic turn of events.
Thematic Analysis
- Divine Intervention
The chapter emphasizes God’s active role in the lives of His people. Through Elisha, God performs miracles that not only meet immediate needs but also demonstrate His power over nature and human conflict.
- Faith and Fear
The contrast between the faith of Elisha and the fear of his servant highlights the theme of spiritual perception. Elisha’s calmness in the face of danger serves as a reminder of the importance of trusting in God’s protection.
- Compassion and Mercy
Elisha’s treatment of the captured Aramean soldiers reflects a theme of mercy. Instead of seeking revenge, he provides for them, which underscores the biblical principle of loving one’s enemies.
- Desperation and Despair
The dire circumstances in Samaria illustrate the depths of human despair. The famine leads to extreme actions, showcasing the consequences of sin and the need for repentance and reliance on God.
Character Analysis
- Elisha
As the prophet of God, Elisha embodies faith, wisdom, and compassion. His actions reflect a deep trust in God’s provision and protection, as well as a commitment to serving others.
- The Servant of Elisha
The servant represents the common human response to fear and uncertainty. His initial panic contrasts with Elisha’s faith, serving as a reminder of the need for spiritual insight.
- The King of Aram
The king’s frustration and aggression illustrate the futility of opposing God’s will. His attempts to capture Elisha ultimately lead to his own defeat.
- The King of Israel
The king’s reaction to the famine and his blame towards Elisha reveal a lack of understanding of God’s sovereignty. His desperation leads him to seek a scapegoat instead of turning to God.
Conclusion
2 Kings Chapter 6 serves as a powerful reminder of God’s sovereignty, the importance of faith, and the call to show mercy. Through the events and characters in this chapter, readers are encouraged to trust in God’s provision and to respond to challenges with faith rather than fear.
