2 Kings 6:6

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 6:6

And the man of God said, where fell it ?.... For though endowed with a spirit of prophecy, he did not know all things, and at all times; and if he did know where it fell, he might ask this question to lead on to the performance of the miracle: and he showed him the place ; the exact place in the river into which it fell: and he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither ; he did not take the old helve and throw in, but a new stick he cut off of a tree; some think he made of this... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 6:6

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

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 6:6

And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he showed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim. Two natural explanations of this miracle have been attempted: (1) that Elisha passed a piece of wood underneath the axe-head, which he could see lying at the bottom of the river, and then lifted it up to the surface (Von Gerlach); (2) that he thrust a stick or bar of wood through the hole in the axe-head, made to receive the haft, and so pulled it... read more

Albert Barnes

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

No doubt there is something startling in the trivial character of this miracle, and of the few others which resemble it. But, inasmuch as we know very little as to the laws which govern the exercise of miraculous powers, it is possible that they may be so much under their possessor’s control that he can exercise them, or not exercise them, at pleasure. And it may depend on his discretion whether they are exercised in important cases only, or in trivial cases also. Elisha had evidently great... read more

Joseph Benson

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

2 Kings 6:6. He cut down a stick, and cast it in thither This was undoubtedly done with no other design than to raise the attention of the beholders, and make it more evident that the iron was made to swim by the divine power alone; for the casting in of the stick could contribute no more to it than his casting salt into the springs at Jericho to the healing of the waters, the mantle of Elijah to the division of Jordan, or the clay, put by Jesus Christ upon the eyes of the blind man, to the... read more

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