He cut down a stick - This had no natural tendency to raise the iron; it was only a sign or ceremony which the prophet chose to use on the occasion. The iron did swim - This was a real miracle; for the gravity of the metal must have for ever kept it at the bottom of the water. read more
And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell with thee —literally, before thee— is too strait for us. The scene of this miracle is probably the vicinity of Jericho, since both Gilgal and Bethel were remote from the Jordan. The "school of the prophets" at Jericho, whereof we heard in 2 Kings 2:5 , 2 Kings 2:19 , had increased so much, that the buildings which hitherto had accommodated it were no longer sufficient. A larger dwelling, or set of... read more
Mutual love and help the best bond of religious communities. "Behold, how good and joyful a thing it is, brethren, to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down unto the beard, even unto Aaron's beard, and went down to the skirts of his clothing; like as the dew of Hermon, which fell upon the hill of Zion" ( Psalms 133:1-3 ). In religious communities it has been too often the practice to govern by fear. An autocratic authority has been committed... read more
An early theological college; its life and lessons. Our theological colleges, where young men are trained for the office of the Christian ministry, do not receive from the Christian public that attention and sympathy, which they deserve, more interest ought to be taken in education generally. The Church should show more interest in Sunday-school work. If office-bearers and parents in every Christian land would visit the Sunday school occasionally, and hear the children repeat their lessons... read more
A Church-extension enterprise. "And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us," etc. If there were a Church in Israel at all, the schools of the prophets undoubtedly constituted a part of that Church. They were a communion of godly men. The brief narrative, therefore, may fairly be regarded as a record of a Church-extension enterprise, and as such four things are observable—things that all who contemplate such enterprises... read more
The borrowed axe. This is another of Elisha's miracles of aid. The story belongs to the same class of acts as those related in 2 Kings 2:19-22 ; 2 Kings 4:1-7 , 2 Kings 4:38-44 . I. THE AXE - HEAD NEEDED . The first verses present us with a picture of expansion and extension. The place where " the sons of the prophets" dwelt or " sat " before Elisha, at Jericho, had become too strait for them. Elisha's influence was evidently telling on the nation. The religious... read more
Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan. Jericho was situated at some little distance from the Jordan, on the banks of a small stream, which ran into it. Along the course of the Jordan trees and shrubs were abundant, chiefly willows, poplars, and tamarisks (see Josephus, 'Bell. Jud.,' 4.8. § 3; Strabo, 16.2. § 41). It would seem that the Jordan thickets were unappropriated, and that any one might cut timber in them. And take thence every man a beam. The meaning is, "Let us all join in the... read more
And one said, Be content, I pray thee, and go with thy servants. One of the number was not satisfied with the prophet's mere approval of the enterprise, but wished for his actual presence, probably as securing a blessing upon the work. And he answered, I will go. Elisha approved the man's idea, as springing from piety and faith in God. He, therefore, raised no difficulty, but at once, in the simplest manner, acceded to the request. There is a remarkable directness, simplicity, and absence... read more
So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan — i.e. to the river-bank— they cut down wood. They set to work, each felling his tree, and fashioning it into a rough beam. read more
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Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 6:5
Alas , master ! for it was borrowed - שאול והוא אדני אהה ahah adonia , vehu shaul ! Ah! ah, my master; and it has been sought. It has fallen in, and I have sought it in vain. Or, it was borrowed, and therefore I am the more afflicted for its loss; and Jarchi adds, I have nothing wherewith to repay it. read more