axe head. Hebrew "iron", put by Fig; Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the axe head made of iron. Compare 2 Kings 6:6 . where the Figure of speech is translated literally. Alas. Figure of speech Ecphonesis. App-6 . read more
5. it was borrowed—literally, "begged." The scholar's distress arose from the consideration that it had been presented to him; and that, owing to his poverty, he could not procure another. read more
God’s ability to revive the nation 6:1-7"In contrast to Gehazi who had received the reward of his unfaithfulness, the account unfolded here is a demonstration of the reward of faithful labor." [Note: Patterson and Austel, p. 192.] The expensive [Note: R. L. Hubbard Jr., First and Second Kings, p. 157.] iron ax head was similar to Israel since it was an instrument used for constructive and destructive purposes (cf. Exodus 19:5-6). Like the ax, Israel had belonged to another, Egypt, but God used... read more
Elisha and the Siege of Samaria1. The place where we dwell] The mention of the Jordan (2 Kings 6:2) suggests that these sons of the prophets dwelt near Jericho: cp. 2 Kings 2:5. Probably Elisha did not permanently abide with them, but visited them occasionally for supervision and instruction. 6. The iron did swim] The prophet’s powers were exerted to help one who was honest enough to be the more concerned for his loss because the axe was not his own.8. The king of Syria] perhaps the Benhadad of... read more
(5) But.—Heb., and it came to pass, the one was felling the beam. Not necessarily “the one” of 2 Kings 6:3, but the one (whoever it was) to whom the mishap occurred, as presently related.The ax head fell.—Heb., and as for the iron, it fell. The subject of the verb is made prominent by being put first in the accusative. It is thus implied that something happened to the iron. Perhaps, however, it is better to consider that the particle, which usually marks the object of the verb, in cases like... read more
The Invisible Realities of the Eternal World 2 Kings 6:16 The invisible realities at times are very real to some and very unreal to others. This incident is an excellent example of it. Danger menaces two men. Death itself seems in the cup for both. But one is a citizen only of the seen and temporal, while the other's spirit soars up to God and believes in God, and is as certain of the existence of God as that he is alive. Consider the fruits of this belief in the existence of the eternal... read more
ELISHA AND THE SYRIANS2 Kings 6:1-23"Now there was found in the city a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city."- Ecclesiastes 9:15ELISHA, unlike his master Elijah, was, during a great part of his long career, intimately mixed up with the political and military fortunes of his country. The king of Israel who occurs in the following narratives is left nameless-always the sign of later and more vague tradition; but he has usually been identified with Jehoram ben-Ahab, and, though... read more
5. Elisha and the Syrians CHAPTER 6 1. The lost axe-head recovered (2 Kings 6:1-7 ) 2. Elisha makes known Ben-hadad’s plans (2 Kings 6:8-12 ) 3. Elisha’s arrest planned (2 Kings 6:13-17 ) 4. The blinded Syrians led to Samaria (2 Kings 6:18-23 ) 5. Samaria besieged (2 Kings 6:24-30 ) 6. The king’s wrath against Elisha (2 Kings 6:31-33 ) It has been truly said that the miracle of the swimming axe-head reveals the condescension of divine power and the grace of benevolence. We see the... read more
"TOO SMALL FOR US" (vv.1-7) The sons of the prophets are often spoken of in connection with Elisha's history, but when banded together, they did nothing (so far as the record goes) that indicated they were led by God. Once do we read of one of the sons of the prophets carrying a message from God. Elisha told him to take a flask of oil and anoint Jehu to be king over Israel, giving him a message from God at the same time. The son of the prophet did so alone (2 Kings 9:1-10). This was work... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 6:1-7
More miracles of care (5:1-6:7)Syria was Israel’s most powerful neighbour during Elisha’s lifetime, and was a constant source of trouble around Israel’s borders. When the Syrian army commander Naaman approached the king of Israel with a request to be treated for leprosy, the king of Israel interpreted this as a trick by Syria aimed at creating war (5:1-7). Elisha, however, saw it as an opportunity to reveal God’s power to the military commander whom God was preserving to lead Syria against... read more