2 Kings 6:1-7

The Floating Ax Head

1 The sons of the prophets said to Elisha, "Please notice that the place where we live under your supervision^[a] is too small for us.

2 Please let us go to the Jordan where we can each get a log and can build ourselves a place to live there." "Go," he said.

3 Then one said, "Please come with your servants." "I'll come," he answered.

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

5 As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron [ax head] fell into the water, and he cried out: "Oh, my master, it was borrowed!"

6 Then the man of God asked, "Where did it fall?" When he showed him the place, the man of God cut a stick, threw it there, and made the iron float.

7 Then he said, "Pick it up." So he reached out 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.

Footnotes

• [a] Lit we are living before you