2 Kings 6

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 6

In this chapter we have, I. A further account of the wondrous works of Elisha. 1. His making iron to swim, 2 Kgs. 6:1-7. 2. His disclosing to the king of Israel the secret counsels of the king of Syria, 2 Kgs. 6:8-12. 3. His saving himself out of the hands of those who were sent to apprehend him, 2 Kgs. 6:13-23. II. The besieging of Samaria by the Syrians and the great distress the city was reduced to, 2 Kgs. 6:24-33. The relief of it is another of the wonders wrought by Elisha's word, which... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 6:1-7

Several things may be observed here, I. Concerning the sons of the prophets, and their condition and character. The college here spoken of seems to be that at Gilgal, for there Elisha was (2 Kgs. 4:38), and it was near Jordan; and, probably, wherever Elisha resided as many as could of the sons of the prophets flocked to him for the advantage of his instructions, counsels, and prayers. Every one would covet to dwell with him and be near him. Those that would be teachers should lay out... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 6:8-12

Here we have Elisha, with his spirit of prophecy, serving the king, as before helping the sons of the prophets; for that, as other gifts, is given to every man to profit withal; and, whatever abilities any man has of doing good, he is by them made a debtor both to the wise and unwise. Observe here, I. How the king of Israel was informed by Elisha of all the designs and motions of his enemy, the king of Syria, more effectually than he could have been by the most vigilant and faithful spies. If... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 6:13-23

Here is, 1. The great force which the king of Syria sent to seize Elisha. He found out where he was, at Dothan (2 Kgs. 6:13), which was not far from Samaria; thither he sent a great host, who were to come upon him by night, and to bring him dead or alive, 2 Kgs. 6:14. Perhaps he had heard that when only one captain and his fifty men were sent to take Elijah they were baffled in the attempt, and therefore he sent an army against Elisha, as if the fire from heaven that consumed fifty men could... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 6:24-33

This last paragraph of this chapter should, of right, have been the first of the next chapter, for it begins a new story, which is there continued and concluded. Here is, I. The siege which the king of Syria laid to Samaria and the great distress which the city was reduced to thereby. The Syrians had soon forgotten the kindnesses they had lately received in Samaria, and very ungratefully, for aught that appears without any provocation, sought the destruction of it, 2 Kgs. 6:24. There are base... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 6

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 6:1

And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha ,.... Or the disciples of the prophets, as the Targum: behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us : their numbers were so increased, that there was not room enough for them in the house they dwelt in with the prophet; which increase was owing, the Jews F26 T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 107. 2. say, to the departure of Gehazi last mentioned, who was a bad man, and used the disciples so ill, that they could not stay in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 6:2

Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan ,.... Which, according to Josephus F1 Antiqu. l. 5. c. 1. sect. 4. , was fifty furlongs, or upwards of six miles, distant from Gilgal: and take thence every man a beam ; by cutting down the trees that grew there; for Mr. Maundrell says F2 Journey from Aleppo, &c.; p. 82,83. , the banks of Jordan are beset with bushes and trees, which are an harbour for wild beasts; and another traveller F3 Sandys's Travels, l. 3. p. 110. ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 6:3

And one said, be content, I pray thee, and with thy servants ,.... Or be pleased to go with us; he begged it as a favour, that, being awed by his presence, they might preserve peace and order, and have his advice as to the spot of ground to erect their edifice on, and might be protected by him from harm and mischief by men or wild beasts: and he answered, I will go ; he consented to it, knowing perhaps before hand that he should have an opportunity of working a miracle there, as he did. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 6:4

So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood. Trees which grew upon the banks of it, to build their house with, at least for the rafters and flooring of it, supposing the walls to be built of stone. read more

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