# Overview 2 Kings Chapter 6 opens with the story of the sons of the prophets who are expanding their living quarters, resulting in a miraculous event involving the prophet #Elisha. When one of the sons accidentally drops a borrowed axe head into the #JordanRiver, Elisha throws a stick into the water, causing the iron to float, demonstrating #God's power and provision even in small matters. This miracle underscores the presence of God in everyday life and the importance of faith in His ability to intervene in all situations. The chapter then transitions to the conflict between #Israel and #Aram. The king of Aram is perplexed by Israel's uncanny ability to anticipate his military plans, which is revealed to be due to Elisha’s prophetic insights. Elisha’s divine gift allows him to warn the king of Israel, thwarting Aram’s attempts. When the king of Aram sends an army to capture Elisha in #Dothan, Elisha’s servant is initially afraid, but Elisha prays for his eyes to be opened, revealing a heavenly army of horses and chariots of fire protecting them. Elisha then prays for the Arameans to be blinded and leads them to #Samaria, where their sight is restored. Instead of killing them, the king of Israel, following Elisha's counsel, provides them with a feast and sends them back, leading to a temporary cessation of hostilities. This story highlights God’s sovereignty and mercy, and the power of prayer and prophetic insight. ## Theological Insights 2 Kings Chapter 6 presents several key theological insights that reflect the power and providence of #God, the nature of #faith, and the role of #prophecy. 1. **Divine Protection and Providence**: The chapter opens with the account of the borrowed axe head that falls into the river, which is miraculously retrieved by #Elisha through divine intervention. This story highlights God's concern for the seemingly small and personal needs of His people, demonstrating His providence and care (2 Kings 6:1-7). 2. **The Unseen Spiritual Realm**: In verses 8-23, we see a powerful illustration of the spiritual realities that surround us. Elisha's servant is initially fearful of the Syrian army, but Elisha prays for his servant's eyes to be opened, revealing the heavenly army on their side. This event underscores the biblical truth that "those who are with us are more than those who are with them" (2 Kings 6:16), emphasizing the presence and power of God’s protection, as seen in Psalm 34:7. 3. **The Role of the Prophet**: Elisha's actions in this chapter continue to reveal the role of the prophet as a mediator between God and His people. His ability to see the unseen realm and lead the blinded Syrian army to #Samaria reflects not only the prophetic insight but also the divine wisdom and authority granted to him. 4. **Grace and Mercy**: When the Syrian army is captured and brought to Samaria, the king of Israel asks Elisha if he should kill them. Instead, Elisha commands that they be fed and released. This act of mercy and kindness towards enemies foreshadows the teachings of [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]] regarding loving one's enemies and doing good to those who persecute you, as seen in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 5|Matthew 5:44]]. 5. **The Severity of Judgment and Human Desperation**: The latter part of the chapter (verses 24-33) describes the severe famine in #Samaria during the siege by #Ben-Hadad, king of Syria. The desperate conditions, including a gruesome scene of cannibalism, highlight the depths of human desperation when separated from God’s favor and protection. It serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of disobedience to God’s covenant, as outlined in [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 28|Deuteronomy 28]]. 6. **The Sovereignty of God**: Through the entire chapter, the sovereignty of God is displayed in His control over natural and supernatural elements, His ability to provide for His people, and His ultimate authority over nations and armies. This reflects the overarching biblical theme of God's sovereignty as seen throughout both the Old and New Testaments. ## Thematic Connections ### Divine Protection and Revelation In 2 Kings Chapter 6, the theme of divine protection is evident through the story of #Elisha and his servant, who are surrounded by the army of #Syria. Elisha prays for his servant's eyes to be opened, revealing the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire around them. This theme of divine protection resonates with other instances in Scripture where God provides supernatural defense for His people, such as the protection offered to [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 14|Israel at the Red Sea]] and the angelic protection over [[Daniel/Daniel Chapter 6|Daniel in the lions' den]]. ### The Power of Prayer Elisha’s prayer for his servant’s eyes to be opened and his subsequent prayer to strike the Syrian army with blindness highlights the theme of the power of prayer. This connection can be seen throughout Scripture, such as in the prayers of [[1 Kings/1 Kings Chapter 18|Elijah on Mount Carmel]] and [[Acts/Acts Chapter 12|Peter’s miraculous escape from prison]]. Prayer is consistently shown as a means through which God's power is manifested and His will is enacted. ### Miraculous Provision The miraculous provision of food during the siege of Samaria in this chapter connects to other biblical narratives where God provides for His people in times of need. This theme is echoed in the provision of manna in the wilderness in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 16]], the feeding of the 5,000 in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 14]], and the provision of oil for the widow in [[1 Kings/1 Kings Chapter 17]]. ### The Sovereignty of God Over Nations The capture and release of the Syrian army through Elisha’s intervention in 2 Kings 6 underscores the sovereignty of God over nations. This theme is reinforced in other parts of Scripture, such as the rise and fall of empires in [[Daniel/Daniel Chapter 2]] and God’s use of nations to accomplish His purposes as seen in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 45]] with #Cyrus. God's control over international affairs is a recurring theme that assures believers of His ultimate authority and plan. ### Faith in the Midst of Fear The reaction of Elisha compared to his servant’s initial fear showcases the theme of maintaining faith in the midst of fear. Similar contrasts can be seen in the story of [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 14|Moses and the Israelites at the Red Sea]] and [[Mark/Mark Chapter 4|Jesus calming the storm]], where faith is tested in the face of overwhelming circumstances. This theme encourages believers to trust in God’s presence and power during times of fear and uncertainty. ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### The Power Over Nature In 2 Kings 6, the story of the floating axe head demonstrates the power of God over nature, reminiscent of the miracles performed by #Elisha's predecessor, #Elijah, and echoing the authority over creation highlighted in the ministries of other prophets. This miracle foreshadows the New Testament power over nature seen in [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]], such as in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 14|Matthew 14:25]], where Jesus walks on water, showcasing divine authority over the natural world and fulfilling the expectation of God's intervention through His prophets. ### The Protection of God's People The account of the Aramean army being struck with blindness in 2 Kings 6 serves as a fulfillment of the prophetic assurance of divine protection for #Israel. This event parallels the promise of God’s safeguarding presence found in [[Psalm/Psalm Chapter 34|Psalm 34:7]], where the angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him. It also anticipates the New Testament principle of God’s protection, as seen in [[John/John Chapter 17|John 17:12]], where Jesus speaks of keeping His disciples safe. ### The Revelation of Spiritual Realities The opening of the servant's eyes to see the heavenly army in 2 Kings 6 illustrates the prophetic theme of spiritual insight and reality beyond the physical realm. This theme is fulfilled in the broader biblical narrative where God reveals spiritual truths to His prophets and people, as seen in [[Daniel/Daniel Chapter 10|Daniel 10:12-14]] and later in [[Acts/Acts Chapter 9|Acts 9:18]], where Saul's physical and spiritual sight is restored, symbolizing the revelation of deeper spiritual truths through #Christ. ## Verses - **2 Kings 6:1** - "One day the group of prophets came to Elisha and told him, 'As you can see, this place where we meet with you is too small.'" - **2 Kings 6:2** - "'Let’s go down to the Jordan River, where there are plenty of logs. There we can build a new place for us to meet.' 'All right,' he told them, 'go ahead.'" - **2 Kings 6:3** - "'Please come with us,' someone suggested. 'I will,' he said." - **2 Kings 6:4** - "So he went with them. When they arrived at the Jordan, they began cutting down trees." - **2 Kings 6:5** - "But as one of them was cutting a tree, his ax head fell into the river. 'Oh, sir!' he cried. 'It was a borrowed ax!'" - **2 Kings 6:6** - "'Where did it fall?' the man of God asked. When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it into the water at that spot. Then the ax head floated to the surface." - **2 Kings 6:7** - "'Grab it,' Elisha said. And the man reached out and grabbed it." - **2 Kings 6:8** - "When the king of Aram was at war with #Israel, he would confer with his officers and say, 'We will mobilize our forces at such and such a place.'" - **2 Kings 6:9** - "But immediately Elisha, the man of God, would warn the king of Israel, 'Do not go near that place, for the Arameans are planning to mobilize their troops there.'" - **2 Kings 6:10** - "So the king of Israel would send word to the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he would be on the alert there." - **2 Kings 6:11** - "The king of Aram became very upset over this. He called his officers together and demanded, 'Which of you is the traitor? Who has been informing the king of Israel of my plans?'" - **2 Kings 6:12** - "'It’s not us, my lord the king,' one of the officers replied. 'Elisha, the prophet in Israel, tells the king of Israel even the words you speak in the privacy of your bedroom!'" - **2 Kings 6:13** - "'Go and find out where he is,' the king commanded, 'so I can send troops to seize him.' And the report came back: 'Elisha is at Dothan.'" - **2 Kings 6:14** - "So one night the king of Aram sent a great army with many chariots and horses to surround the city." - **2 Kings 6:15** - "When the servant of the man of God got up early the next morning and went outside, there were troops, horses, and chariots everywhere. 'Oh, sir, what will we do now?' the young man cried to Elisha." - **2 Kings 6:16** - "'Don’t be afraid!' Elisha told him. 'For there are more on our side than on theirs!'" - **2 Kings 6:17** - "Then Elisha prayed, 'O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!' The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire." - **2 Kings 6:18** - "As the Aramean army advanced toward him, Elisha prayed, 'O Lord, please make them blind.' So the Lord struck them with blindness as Elisha had asked." - **2 Kings 6:19** - "Then Elisha went out and told them, 'You have come the wrong way! This isn’t the right city! Follow me, and I will take you to the man you are looking for.' And he led them to the city of Samaria." - **2 Kings 6:20** - "As soon as they had entered Samaria, Elisha prayed, 'O Lord, now open their eyes and let them see.' So the Lord opened their eyes, and they discovered that they were in the middle of Samaria." - **2 Kings 6:21** - "When the king of Israel saw them, he shouted to Elisha, 'My father, should I kill them? Should I kill them?'" - **2 Kings 6:22** - "'Of course not!' Elisha replied. 'Do we kill prisoners of war? Give them food and drink and send them home again to their master.'" - **2 Kings 6:23** - "So the king made a great feast for them and then sent them home to their master. After that, the Aramean raiders stayed away from the land of #Israel." - **2 Kings 6:24** - "Some time later, however, King Ben-hadad of #Aram mustered his entire army and besieged #Samaria." - **2 Kings 6:25** - "As a result, there was a great famine in the city; the siege lasted so long that a donkey’s head sold for eight pieces of silver, and a cup of dove’s dung sold for five pieces of silver." - **2 Kings 6:26** - "One day as the king of Israel was walking along the wall of the city, a woman called to him, 'Please help me, my lord the king!'" - **2 Kings 6:27** - "He answered, 'If the Lord doesn’t help you, what can I do? I have neither food from the threshing floor nor wine from the press to give you.'" - **2 Kings 6:28** - "But then the king asked, 'What is the matter?' She replied, 'This woman said to me: Come on, let’s eat your son today, then we will eat my son tomorrow.'" - **2 Kings 6:29** - "So we cooked my son and ate him. Then the next day I said to her, ‘Kill your son so we can eat him,’ but she has hidden her son.'" - **2 Kings 6:30** - "When the king heard this, he tore his clothes in despair. And as the king walked along the wall, the people could see that he was wearing burlap under his robe next to his skin." - **2 Kings 6:31** - "'May God strike me and even kill me if I don’t separate Elisha’s head from his shoulders this very day,' the king vowed." - **2 Kings 6:32** - "Elisha was sitting in his house with the elders of #Israel when the king sent a messenger to summon him. But before the messenger arrived, Elisha said to the elders, 'A murderer has sent a man to cut off my head. When he arrives, shut the door and keep him out. We will soon hear his master’s steps following him.'" - **2 Kings 6:33** - "While Elisha was still saying this, the messenger arrived. And the king said, 'All this misery is from the Lord! Why should I wait for the Lord any longer?'"