Comments on 2 Kings 6 v1-7 The disciples of the prophets probably lived a pretty modest life, hence their need to borrow and axe head. And failing to return it would have made them all look bad. v6 Perhaps Elisha got a long thin branch he could pass through the hole of the axe head, ran it through the hole, and the buoyancy of the stick caused it to float. Or, the axe head was supernaturally made to float the same as a stick would float on the water, thus the stick was simply symbolic. The former would make it appear Elisha was very clever and lucky to skewer the axe head, while the latter one would simply be miraculous. v8-23 Elisha gives the king of Israel military intelligence that constantly thwarts the Syrians/Aramaens (v. 8-10). The king of Syria/Aram gets so angry about it he resolves to target Elisha and sends an army out to kill him specifically (v. 11-14). When they encircle his town the people get scared, but Elisha tells them not to worry (v. 15-16). Elisha prays and asks the Lord to blind the eyes of the hostile force, and the Lord responds by doing so (v. 17-18). As they cannot see who he is, or apparently much of anything else for that matter, Elisha leads the army right into downtown Samaria where they are in turn surrounded and then their eyes are opened (v. 19-20). The king of Israel asks Elisha if he wants him to have them all killed and Elisha says not to, but rather to wine and dine them (v. 21-22). They have a huge, lavish feast for the opposing army and then send them off on their way, and with the good will granted them the Arameans leave Israel alone for some time (v. 23). v24-7:20 This passage spans two chapters, and the majority of it is in the following chapter. There isn't much happening in this chapter. After some time elapses from the events in v. 8-23, the Syrians/Arameans return to attack Israel and this time surround and besiege Samaria. Things get so dire the people resort to cannibalism. The king gets angry, and scapegoats Elisha (I would assume he does so because Elisha had the Aramaen Army wined and dined instead of slaughtered as the king wanted). So, the king swears he will have Elisha killed. Then chapter 7 goes on to present Elisha's prediction and fulfilment of the miraculous delivery of Syria/Aram and the booty Israel takes from their abandoned stores. Copyright © 2002 by S. Kurt Neumiller . All rights reserved. No part of this text may be reproduced in any form or by any means for commercial gain without the express written consent of the author. Digital or printed copies may be freely made and distributed for personal and public non-commercial use.