2 Kings 6:5

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 6:5

But as one was felling a beam ,.... Cutting down a tree, or a branch of it: the axe head fell into the water : into the waters of Jordan; or "the iron" F4 הברזל "ferrum", Pagninus, Montanus, &c.; , the iron part of it, with which the wood was cut; that flew off from the helve into the water: and he cried, and said, alas, master! for it was borrowed : it grieved him to lose his axe, because he could do no more work, and the more because it was not his own, but he had... read more

Adam Clarke

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 6:1-7

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 6:1-7

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 6:1-7

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 6:1-7

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 6:5

But as one was felling a beam — i.e. a tree, to make it into a beam— the axe-head ; literally, the iron . We see from Deuteronomy 19:5 that the Hebrews made their axe-heads of iron as early as the time of Moses. They probably learnt to smelt and work iron in Egypt. Fell into the water. The tree must have been one that grew close to the river's edge. As the man hewed away at the stem a little above the root, the axe-head flew from the haft, into which it was insecurely fitted, and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Kings 6:5

The ax head - literally, as in the margin. The Jews used iron for the heads of axes at a very early date (see Deuteronomy 19:5). They probably acquired a knowledge of the smelting process in Egypt, where iron was employed at least from the time of the third Rameses. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Kings 6:5

2 Kings 6:5. The axe-head fell The iron fell from the wood. Alas, master, for it was borrowed! He was the more concerned, both because he was now compelled to be idle and useless to them in the common work, and because it was his friend’s loss, who was now likely to suffer for his kindness in lending him the axe; for though justice obliged him to restore it, his poverty rendered him unable. read more

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