2 Kings 6:1-7

The Axe Head Recovered

1 Now ¹the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, "Behold now, the place before you where * we are living is too limited for us.

2 "Please let us go to the Jordan and each of us take from there a beam, and let us make a place there for ourselves where we may live." So he said, "Go."

3 Then one said, "Please be willing to go with your servants." And he answered, "I shall go."

4 So he went with them; and when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees.

5 But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, "Alas, my master! For it was borrowed."

6 Then the man of God said, "Where did it fall?" And when he showed him the place, ²he cut off a stick and threw it in there, and made the iron float.

7 He said, "Take it up for yourself." So he put out his hand and took it.

2 Kings 6:1-7 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 2 KINGS 6

In this chapter are recorded other wonders of Elisha, as causing iron to swim, 2Ki 6:1-7 having knowledge of the secret counsels of the king of Syria, which he disclosed to the king of Israel, 2Ki 6:8-12 smiting the Syrian army with blindness sent to take him, and which he led into the midst of Samaria, 2Ki 6:13-23, and the chapter is closed with an account of the siege of Samaria, and a sore famine in it, 2Ki 6:24-33.

Cross References

• 1. 2 Kings 2:3
• 2. Exodus 15:25; 2 Kings 2:21; 2 Kings 4:41

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "said"
• [b]. Lit "as for the iron, it fell"