2 Kings 6
Meaning of 2 Kings 6
2 Kings 6 is a chapter from the Bible in the Old Testament. It contains stories about the prophet Elisha that illustrate his power, divine understanding, and favor with God.
In the beginning of the chapter (verses 1-7), Elisha performs a miracle of making a floating axe head. This happens when the sons of the prophets were cutting down a tree to build a larger place to live, and the iron axe head fell into the Jordan river. Elisha cut a stick, threw it into the water where the axe head had fallen, and caused it to float to the surface. This incident reveals Elisha’s divine power and willingness to help in even the small matters of life.
Following that, in verses 8-14, Elisha uses his prophetic knowledge to protect the Israelites from the raids of the Arameans by accurately predicting their moves, thus frustrating the king of Aram. When the king sends his forces to capture Elisha at Dothan, Elisha prays and asks God to strike the Aramean army with blindness, illustrating his spiritual power.
In verses 15-23, after leading the blinded army to Samaria, the capital of Israel, Elisha prays for their blindness to be lifted. Seeing they are in the enemy’s capital, the king of Israel asks Elisha whether he should kill them, but Elisha counsels mercy and suggests feeding and releasing them instead. Elisha’s kindness and strategy result in a period of peace, as the raiders no longer invaded Israelite territory.
The final section (verses 24-33) describes an intense famine in Samaria caused by the Aramean siege, where the conditions become so bad that cannibalism breaks out. The king blames Elisha for their terrible situation. The chapter ends on a cliffhanger without resolving this situation, which continues in 2 Kings 7.
This chapter showcases Elisha as a man of God, filled with faith and wisdom. His prophetic insight, miracles, divine knowledge, audacity, mercy, and kindness are evocatively portrayed throughout the chapter.
2 Kings 6 kjv
The King James Version (KJV) of 2 Kings 6 is part of the Bible’s Old Testament and covers several events in the life of the prophet Elisha and the nation of Israel. The chapter can be divided into three main sections.
1. The Floating Axe Head (Verses 1-7): Elisha performs a miracle by causing an iron axe head to float on water. He helps a group of prophets who were cutting down trees to construct a larger living space. One of them loses a borrowed axe head in the water, and Elisha causes it to float to the surface so it can be retrieved, alleviating the man’s distress.
2. Elisha and the Arameans (Verses 8-23): The Arameans were planning to attack Israel, but Elisha, through divine insight, was able to warn the King of Israel about the ambushes. Frustrated, the king of Aram sent his army to capture Elisha. Elisha prayed for his servant’s eyes to be opened, and he saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire from God protecting them. Elisha then prayed for the enemy troops to be struck with blindness, and he led them into the city of Samaria, right into a trap. However, instead of killing them, Elisha instructed the king of Israel to feed them and send them away, which led to a period of peace.
3. The Siege of Samaria (Verses 24-33): The Aramean army besieged Samaria, leading to a severe famine. The situation became so desperate that people resorted to cannibalism. King Jehoram of Israel blamed Elisha for the tragedy and sought to kill him. Elisha prophesied the end of the famine, but the king’s official didn’t believe his prophecy and the chapter ends on a cliffhanger. The resolution is left for the next chapter (2 Kings 7).
2 Kings 6 nkjv
2 Kings 6 from the New King James Version (NKJV) narrates a series of events showcasing the miraculous works and prophetic insights of Elisha, a prophet of God.
The chapter starts with a story where the sons of prophets (students in a prophetic school) were dwelling in a too-small location. They asked Elisha if they could go to the Jordan river and each cut down a beam to build a larger place to dwell. Elisha granted permission. In the process of cutting down trees, one of the workers lost a borrowed iron ax head in the river. On telling Elisha about it, Elisha cut a stick, threw it in the water where the ax head had fallen and made the iron float, by which, the worker could retrieve it.
The chapter then shifts to the war between Syria and Israel. The king of Syria planned attacks on Israel, but was constantly thwarted because God revealed these plans to Elisha, who then warned the king of Israel. Realising someone was betraying his plans, the king of Syria found out it was Elisha who was foretelling his strategies. In response, he sent horses, chariots, and a great army in the night to surround the city where Elisha was.
When Elisha’s servant woke up and saw the army, he was frightened. But Elisha reassured him and prayed for him to see that the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire around Elisha (representing divine protection). Elisha then prayed for the Syrian army to be struck with blindness. Under this state, Elisha led them to Samaria, the capital city of Israel.
Once they arrived in Samaria, Elisha prayed for their sight to be restored. The king of Israel asked if he should kill them, but Elisha instructed him to feed them and send them back to their master. After this, Syrian raiders stopped invading the land of Israel.
The chapter ends with another event, during a severe famine in Samaria caused by the Syrians’ siege. The situation was very extreme, with even donkey’s head and dove’s dung being sold for food. The king of Israel blamed Elisha for this situation. The chapter concludes with Elisha’s prophecy that by the following day, the situation would change drastically with plentiful supplies and low food cost, implying a miracle that was yet to take place.
So, through this chapter, we get to see the divine wisdom, miraculous power, and prophetic abilities that Elisha received from God. Embodied in these stories are themes of faith, God’s sovereignty, providence, and mercy.
2 Kings 6 niv
2 Kings 6 is a passage from the Bible that covers several significant events that occurred during the time of the prophet Elisha. Below is a summary:
1-7: The Miraculous Axe Head: The chapter begins with the sons of prophets telling Elisha that the place they were staying is too small for them. They want to build a new place by the Jordan river. As one of the prophets is chopping down a tree for the construction, the iron axe head falls into the river. Elisha throws a stick into the water at the spot where the axe head fell in. This causes the axe head to float to the top where it is then retrieved. This event showcases God’s supernatural intervention, showcasing that God is interested in even small predicaments in our lives.
8-23: Elisha Traps Blinded Arameans: Here, the Aramean king conducting war against Israel finds his plans continuously thwarted, as his secret strategies were being leaked. He learns this is due to Elisha, who gets these strategies from God. Angered, the Aramean king sends his army to Dothan where Elisha resided, to capture him. They surround the city but Elisha prays to God to strike the army with blindness, which God graciously grants. Then, Elisha leads the blind army to Samaria, the capital of Israel. When their sight was restored, they found themselves in the enemy’s stronghold. Yet, instead of slaughtering them, Elisha instructed the king of Israel to feed them and let them return to their master. This effectively ended the Aramean raiding into Israel.
24-33: Famine in Besieged Samaria: The final section of the chapter recounts the terrible conditions during a siege by the Arameans. The situation is so severe that a donkey’s head or bird droppings are considered valuable food and a woman recounts a horrifying episode of cannibalism. When the king of Israel hears this, he blames Elisha for the severe conditions. Elisha predicts, however, that the famine will end soon. This sets the stage for the next chapter.
Throughout this chapter, we see that God is a provider (recovering the axe), protector (blinding the Aramean army), and has power over life and death (during the siege). Every event is an attempt to bring Israel’s errant kings and people back to God.
What is 2 Kings 6 all about?
2 Kings 6 is a chapter in the Old Testament of the Bible which outlines several events in the life of the prophet Elisha.
1) The Miracle of the Floating Axe Head: Here, the prophets are cutting down trees to build a bigger place to meet when one of them loses a borrowed iron axe head in the water. Elisha throws a stick in the water which causes the axe head to float so it can be recovered.
2) The Aramean War: Elisha frustrates the king of Aram by accurately predicting where the Aramean troops will be, giving the king of Israel an advantage in war. Elisha’s ability to see and predict future events infuriates the king of Aram, who sends his army to capture Elisha. This leads to the next event.
3) Elisha blinds and then restores the sight of the Aramean army: When the Aramean troops come for Elisha, he prays, and they are struck with blindness. Elisha then leads the disoriented men into the city of Samaria. Once they are inside the city, Elisha prays, and their sight is restored. Seeing that they are in enemy territory, the Aramean army is powerless. However, Elisha counsels the king of Israel to feast them and send them home, instead of killing them.
4) Famine in Samaria: The latter part of the chapter focuses on the Aramean siege of Samaria that leads to a severe famine. The situation becomes dire, but Elisha prophesies that God will soon end the siege and the famine.
Each event is a testament to Elisha’s faith in God and his supernatural foresight. It mainly demonstrates God’s power and concern for His people, and how He uses Elisha as His instrument in these situations.
What does 2 Kings 6 teaches?
2 Kings 6 is a chapter from the Old Testament of the Bible that revolves around the miracles and ministries of the prophet Elisha. Here are lessons that can be drawn from the episode:
1. **Provision Amid Crisis:** When the company of prophets builds a new meeting place, one of them loses an axe head in the Jordan river. In a miraculous event, Elisha makes the iron float, thereby enabling the prophet to retrieve the axe head. This story showcases how God can provide even in times of need or crisis.
2. **God’s Protection and Guidance:** The chapter demonstrates God’s protection when the Arameans plan to attack Israel. Elisha, informed by God, warns the king about the incoming attacks. This guidance from God through Elisha safeguards the Israelites repeatedly, indicating the protective nature of Divine Providence.
3. **God’s Omnipresence:** When the king of Aram sends his army to capture Elisha, he prays, and the servant’s eyes are opened to see a chariot of fire from God surrounding them: a powerful symbol of divine protection. This event reveals God’s omnipresence and omnipotence.
4. **Kindness and Forgiveness Over Retaliation:** Upon Elisha’s prayer, the invading troops are struck with blindness. Instead of slaughtering them as the king of Israel initially proposes, Elisha instructs the king to feed and send them home. This teaches the lesson of repaying evil with kindness and emphasizes forgiveness over retaliation.
5. **Strike of Famine and Resolution:** The chapter ends with a severe famine in Samaria and the prediction of its end. This famine is symbolic of trials and hardships, while its termination signifies God’s timing and deliverance in times of suffering.
Thus, 2 Kings 6 teaches lessons of faith, divine intervention, mercy, and the importance of being in tune with God’s messages.
A Sermon on 2 Kings 6
2 Kings 6 contains different stories, each centering on the prophet Elisha. Bringing a sermon based on this chapter would require focusing on specific themes within these stories. Here’s a broad theme outline:
1. **Divine Providence and Miraculous Provision (2 Kings 6:1-7)**
– Elisha makes an axe head float: The prophet’s disciples were cutting trees near the Jordan to make a larger place for them to meet. One of them lost a borrowed axe head in the water, which Elisha retrieved by miraculously making it float. One could read this as a demonstration of God’s care for His people, even in the smaller incidents of life. God is aware of our every need and situation, and He takes care of our problems, no matter how small they may seem.
2. **God’s Protection and Guidance (2 Kings 6:8-23)**
– Elisha, the servant’s eyes, and the blinded Aram soldiers: This story highlights the theme of God’s supernatural protection for His people. Elisha was able to warn the King of Israel about the plans of the King of Aram due to divine insight. When the King of Aram sent an army to capture Elisha, Elisha prayed, and his servant’s eyes were opened to see the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. God then blinded the soldiers, and Elisha led them to the King of Israel. They were spared and sent back home after being fed. From this, the takeaway could be how God protects His people, and how He can also open our spiritual eyes to see His divine protection.
3. **Trust in God during difficult times (2 Kings 6:24-33)**
– Famine in Samaria: Because of a siege from the King of Aram, famine struck Samaria. This situation was so dire that people resorted to cannibalism. Yet in all the tragedy, Elisha promised that the situation would change radically. The sermon could emphasize the need for trust in God’s deliverance, even in desperate situations.
Remember, while developing a sermon, it is essential to seek guidance from the Holy Spirit and try to understand how these biblical truths apply to today’s context. Each sermon can vary based on the speaker’s interpretation and the message they feel led to deliver.
Key people in 2 Kings 6
The key people in the Sixth Chapter of the Second Book of Kings in the Bible are:
1. Elisha: He is a significant prophet in Israel, who performs miracles, provides counsel and prophesies. He makes an ax head float on water, and importantly, he blinds and then later restores the sight of the Aramean army.
2. The Sons of the Prophets: These are mentees, or disciples, of the prophet Elisha. They are involved in the first miracle in this chapter — the floating axe head — which occurs when they are building a larger meeting place near the Jordan River.
3. The King of Israel: It is not specified which King of Israel this is in chapter 6, but he is reigning during the time of Elisha. Elisha warns him about the Aramean’s attack, therefore saving Israel many times.
4. The King of Aram: He is the enemy of Israel. After his plans are continuously thwarted by Elisha’s interventions, he sends his army to capture Elisha.
5. The Servant of Elisha: His name is not given in this chapter, but he is with Elisha when the Aramean army comes to capture Elisha.
6. The Aramean Army: They are sent by the king of Aram to capture Elisha due to his role in disrupting their plans against Israel. However, they are struck with blindness and later their sight is restored by Elisha.
Real world examples on 2 Kings 6
“2 Kings 6” is a chapter in the Bible that contains several stories featuring the prophet Elisha. Two compelling parts of this chapter are Elisha recovering a lost axe head and Elisha blinding the Aramean army. Here are two real-world examples which could loosely reflect the spiritual principles found in those stories:
1. Recovering the lost axe head: This is a story where the prophet Elisha caused a lost axe head to float in the water, which defies natural laws. It shows divine intervention in what seemed like an impossible situation. A real world example of this could be seen in instances where individuals find solutions in seemingly hopeless situations against all odds. For instance, a person may be trapped in debt, and through careful budgeting they manage to become debt-free, even though initially it looked impossible. Here, the story of the axe head reminds us that God is in control and can make a way where there seems to be no way.
2. Blinding the Aramean army: In this narrative, Elisha prays and an entire enemy army is struck with blindness, preventing them from being able to harm the Israelites. When the soldiers recover their sight, they find themselves in the hands of the king they sought to capture. A real world analogy could be in international relations where diplomatic strategies, negotiations, or non-violent resolutions are implemented instead of resorting to violence or war. For example, in the Cold War era, several crises were avoided not through warfare but through diplomacy. The story serves as a reminder that battles don’t always have to be won by force, and peace can sometimes be achieved through unexpected means.
Brief Explanation of 2 Kings 6
2 Kings 6 is a biblical text from the Old Testament, traditionally attributed to the Prophet Jeremiah. In this chapter, there are three main stories:
1. The Miracle of the Floating Axe Head: The Prophet Elisha demonstrates a miracle to a group of prophets who are building a new meeting place. When one of them loses an iron axe head in the Jordan River, Elisha causes it to float to the surface by throwing a stick in the water, thus letting the man retrieve it.
2. Elisha’s Spiritual Vision: The King of Aram is at war with Israel, and Elisha warns the King of Israel about the Arameans’ plans, frustrating their attempts at invasion. The Aramean king sends an army to capture Elisha, but he prays to God to strike them with blindness. Elisha then leads the blind army to Samaria, the capital of Israel, before praying for their sight to be restored, showing them they are at the mercy of the Israelites. However, instead of killing the Arameans, they are given food and water and sent back to their king, which leads to a period of peace.
3. The Siege of Samaria: The King of Aram besieges Samaria, causing severe famine. The chapter ends with a bleak scene of desperation and the King of Israel swearing to hunt down Elisha.
Overall, 2 Kings 6 portrays Elisha as a prophet who has the power to perform miracles, frustrate enemy plans, and show mercy over judgment.
Frequently asked questions for 2 Kings 6
1. What does 2 Kings 6 talk about?
2 Kings 6 chiefly narrates the miracles performed by the prophet Elisha, along with stories of Aram’s war against Israel. The chapter tells three remarkable stories: The Miracle of the Floating Axe Head, the Blinding of the Aramean Army, and the Famine in Samaria.
2. What is the miracle of the Floating Axe Head in 2 Kings 6?
The story unfolds when the sons of the prophets decide to build a larger place near the Jordan River where they can live. During the construction, a man loses an axe head in the river, which was borrowed. Elisha then throws a stick into the river, and the axe head floats to the surface, allowing the man to recover it.
3. How did Elisha deal with the Aramean Army in 2 Kings 6?
When the king of Aram declares war against Israel, he decides to set his camp in a certain place. However, Elisha predicts this and warns the king of Israel. Furious, the king of Aram sends an army to Dothan to capture Elisha. The prophet then prays to God to blind the Aramean army. Once blinded, Elisha leads them to the heart of Samaria, where their eyesight is restored, and they find themselves captives of the Israelites.
4. What caused the famine in Samaria?
The famine in Samaria was caused by a long siege laid by the king of Aram. During it, conditions in Samaria were horrible, with hardly any food available for people.
5. Who was the prophet during the time of the 2 Kings 6 events?
The prophet during this time was Elisha, who performed various miracles and guided the kings of Israel.
6. What is the significant lesson from 2 Kings 6?
The events of 2 Kings 6 primarily underscore God’s supernatural power, His knowledge of future events, and His faithful care for those who trust in Him. It also showcases that the advice of a godly leader leads to victory and prosperity.
Please clarify your query if you have a specific question about a particular verse in this chapter, as 2 Kings 6 involves several stories that command different levels and types of interpretation.
Possible References for 2 Kings 6
2 Kings 6 is a chapter in the Old Testament of the Bible, specifically in the historical books. It tells various stories involving the prophet Elisha. Let’s explain some key stories and possible references from this chapter:
1. The Floating Axe Head (2 Kings 6:1-7): A group of prophets, while cutting down trees to build a place by the Jordan river, loses an axe head in the water. Elisha miraculously causes the iron axe head to float so it can be retrieved. This is often seen as a symbol of God’s concern and provision for the daily needs and problems of His people, no matter how insignificant they may seem.
2. Elisha and the Arameans (2 Kings 6:8-23): The Arameans were at war with Israel, and Elisha would repeatedly warn the king of Israel about the Arameans’ plans, frustrating their efforts. When the king of Aramea sends troops to seize Elisha, he prays for his servant’s eyes to be opened to the heavenly host protecting them, then prays for the troops to be struck with blindness so he can lead them to Samaria. Elisha then prays for their sight to be restored, showing them they are at the mercy of the Israelites. The king of Israel, at Elisha’s advice, treats them kindly and lets them return to their king. It demonstrates the power of God’s protection and mercy.
3. Famine in Samaria (2 Kings 6:24-33): As a result of a siege by the Aramean king, there is severe famine in Samaria. The chapter ends with the king of Israel, on hearing of the extremities people have been driven to because of the famine, threatening Elisha’s life. This sets up the story for the next chapter. It’s a display of how God allows hardships to bring His people back to Himself.
These stories are part of the larger narrative of the biblical books of Kings, which detail the history of the kings of Israel and Judah and the prophets’ roles during this period.
Conclusion on 2 Kings 6
2 Kings 6 is part of the Old Testament in the Holy Bible. This particular chapter is famous for its stories demonstrating the divine intervention and prophetic powers from God through the prophet Elisha.
At the end of 2 Kings 6, we have the account of the Syrian siege over Samaria, causing a great famine. Two women even agree to eat their own children to survive. When the king of Israel learns about this, he tear his clothes in despair and orders Elisha to be killed, blaming him for the disaster. However, Elisha prophesies that the famine will end the next day, with plenty of food being sold at low prices.
His words come to pass. The Syrian army believes they hear the sound of a great army approaching and in fear, they flee, leaving their camp with plenty of food and resources. The Israelites find the abandoned camp and the prophecy is fulfilled. Bargaining of food and resources started at a low cost, just as Elisha predicted.
Despite the king of Israel’s lack of faith in Elisha, God delivers the Israelites from the famine, proving the power of prophecy and God’s intervention despite human disbelief. The chapter hence exhibits divine supervision over worldly events and the verification of Elisha’s prophethood.
It isn’t just about the miracles that Elisha performed, but it underlines a deeper understanding of the power of faith in God, that He can make a way even when it seems impossible from a human perspective. It also brings emphasis on the fickleness of rogue leadership and the desperate situations they can lead their people into.