2 Kings 6

The sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “See now, the place where we live and meet with you is too small for us.

Please let us go to the Jordan, and each man take a beam from there, and let’s make us a place there, where we may live.” He answered, “Go!”

One said, “Please be pleased to go with your servants.” He answered, “I will go.”

So he went with them. When they came to the Jordan, they cut down wood.

But as one was cutting down a tree, the ax head fell into the water. Then he cried out and said, “Alas, my master! For it was borrowed.”

The man of God asked, “Where did it fall?” He showed him the place. He cut down a stick, threw it in there, and made the iron float.

He said, “Take it.” So he put out his hand and took it.

Now the king of Syria was at war against Israel; and he took counsel with his servants, saying, “My camp will be in such and such a place.”

The man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, “Beware that you not pass this place, for the Syrians are coming down there.”

The king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of; and he saved himself there, not once or twice.

The king of Syria’s heart was very troubled about this. He called his servants, and said to them, “Won’t you show me which of us is for the king of Israel?”

One of his servants said, “No, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.”

He said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him.” He was told, “Behold, he is in Dothan.”

Therefore he sent horses, chariots, and a great army there. They came by night and surrounded the city.

When the servant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was around the city. His servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”

He answered, “Don’t be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, please open his eyes, that he may see.” the LORD opened the young man’s eyes, and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire around Elisha.

When they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, and said, “Please strike this people with blindness.” He struck them with blindness according to Elisha’s word.

Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, neither is this the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” He led them to Samaria.

When they had come into Samaria, Elisha said, “LORD, open these men’s eyes, that they may see.” The LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and behold, they were in the middle of Samaria.

The king of Israel said to Elisha, when he saw them, “My father, shall I strike them? Shall I strike them?”

He answered, “You shall not strike them. Would you strike those whom you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, then go to their master.”

He prepared a great feast for them. After they ate and drank, he sent them away and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria stopped raiding the land of Israel.

After this, Benhadad king of Syria gathered all his army, and went up and besieged Samaria.

There was a great famine in Samaria. Behold, they besieged it until a donkey’s head was sold for eighty pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a kab of dove’s dung for five pieces of silver.

As the king of Israel was passing by on the wall, a woman cried to him, saying, “Help, my lord, O king!”

He said, “If the LORD doesn’t help you, where could I get help for you? From the threshing floor, or from the wine press?”

Then the king asked her, “What is your problem?” She answered, “This woman said to me, ‘Give your son, that we may eat him today, and we will eat my son tomorrow.’

So we boiled my son and ate him; and I said to her on the next day, ‘Give up your son, that we may eat him;’ and she has hidden her son.”

When the king heard the words of the woman, he tore his clothes. Now he was passing by on the wall, and the people looked, and behold, he had sackcloth underneath on his body.

Then he said, “God do so to me, and more also, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat stays on him today.”

But Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. Then the king sent a man from before him; but before the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, “Do you see how this son of a murderer has sent to take away my head? Behold, when the messenger comes, shut the door, and hold the door shut against him. Isn’t the sound of his master’s feet behind him?”

While he was still talking with them, behold, the messenger came down to him. Then he said, “Behold, this evil is from the LORD. Why should I wait for the LORD any longer?”

Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview.
This chapter highlights Elisha’s role as the prophet through whom God exercises sovereign control over nature, nations, and human affairs, demonstrating both divine mercy and judgment. It moves from a miracle of provision (the floating iron) to a revelation of spiritual warfare (the heavenly host), then to an act of gracious restraint toward enemies, before concluding with the tragic crisis of faith during a devastating siege, where the king’s despair leads him to threaten Elisha’s life.

Flow.

The narrative opens with a practical need among the prophets: an inadequate dwelling, prompting a joint trip with Elisha to the Jordan, where a miraculous recovery of an iron axhead demonstrates God’s provision in ordinary labor (vv. 1–7).
The scene shifts to international conflict, as Elisha repeatedly thwarts Syria’s military plans through divine knowledge, leading to the king’s decision to capture him (vv. 8–14).
Surrounded by enemy forces, Elisha reassures his servant with a vision of the heavenly army, strikes the Syrians with blindness, leads them to Samaria, and urges Israel to show mercy—resulting in a cessation of raids (vv. 15–23).
The chapter closes with Benhadad’s siege of Samaria, the ensuing famine, a horrifying account of cannibalism, and the king’s furious vow to kill Elisha, exposing his spiritual failure and confusion (vv. 24–33).

Connections.
Following chapter 5, where Naaman’s healing shows God’s mercy extending even to a Syrian general, chapter 6 underscores God’s sovereignty over both individuals and nations, preparing the way for chapter 7’s resolution, where the siege is suddenly lifted by divine intervention. Chapter 6 maintains the contrast between faith and unbelief, foreigner and Israelite, and mercy and judgment—themes that chapter 7 will resolve through miraculous deliverance, showing that God acts even when human hope is gone.

What it teaches.
God reveals His power not only in dramatic deliverance but also in daily needs and enemy mercy. The axhead’s recovery affirms that God upholds justice and diligence (WCF 4.3). The heavenly host signifies God’s almighty presence, sustaining His servants in trials (HC LD 10). Elisha’s treatment of the blinded Arameans reflects the command to love one’s enemy (, cited in HC LD 38), showing that restraint and kindness can be instruments of peace. The king’s threat against Elisha, despite his sackcloth (v. 30), reveals a heart hardened against God’s Word, mistaking the prophet for the source of evil rather than the messenger of the Lord (WCF 1.10; LC 190).

Apply.
When circumstances seem overwhelming, the real presence of God’s power remains unseen but near, revealed to those who wait on Him.

AI-generated. Not a substitute for Scripture, your pastor, or the confessions.