6:8 Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In {c} such and such a place [shall be] my camp.(c) Meaning, that he would lie in ambush and take the Israelites unawares. 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
ELISHA AND THE SYRIAN INVASION THE STRATAGEM AT DOTHAN (2 Kings 6:8-23 ) The incident in 2 Kings 6:1-7 seems an interpolation; and some think it belongs at 2 Kings 4:38 in connection with the two miracles, having a somewhat similar occasion. “Swim” (2 Kings 6:6 ) is in the Hebrew the same as “float,” and the idea seems to be that by throwing the stick into the water the iron was caused to come to the surface where the young man could get it. It is difficult to say when the event of 2... read more
2Ki 6:1-23 1. And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell [where we sit before thee] with thee is too strait for us [their numbers had increased (comp. 2Ki 4:43 )]. 2. Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan, and take thence every man a beam [the Jordan valley was well-wooded], and let us make 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 [to superintend; to help in case of... read more
Reader! while you pay a just tribute of praise to the Lord of Elisha, for making him thus instrumental in the deliverance of Israel; shall not our minds be led to reflect how graciously our Jesus, by the sweet, but secret influences of his Spirit, saves us again and again from the stratagems of our great spiritual foe. Oh! who shall say how often, and to what extent this interposing grace and wisdom of our Jesus, is made the cause of numberless redemptions in times of danger, while we are... read more
And such, which the king would mention. (Menochius) --- The causes of this war are not known; but an ambitious prince always finds pretexts to cover his injustice. (Calmet) read more
8-12 The king of Israel regarded the warnings Elisha gave him, of danger from the Syrians, but would not heed the warnings of danger from his sins. Such warnings are little heeded by most; they would save themselves from death, but will not from hell. Nothing that is done, said, or thought, by any person, in any place, at any time, is out of God's knowledge. read more
The Blindness of the Syrians v. 8. Then the king of Syria, still during the reign of Jehoram of Israel, warred against Israel, more by expeditions which had the plundering of the country for their object than by regular campaigns, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp. He fixed the location of his various encampments in advance and informed his captains in secret council. v. 9. And the man of God, Elisha, sent unto the king of Israel,... read more
C.—Elisha’s conduct during the Syrian invasion and the siege of Samaria2 Kings 6:8 to 2 Kings 7:208Then the king of Syria warred against [was at war with1] Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp. 9And 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.2 10And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God [had] told him and warned him of, and saved... read more
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Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 2 Kings 6:1-33
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