The divided kingdom · 2 Kings 6
The Floating Axe Head
The sons of the prophets, sitting before Elisha, find their meeting place too small: “Let us go to the Jordan, and each of us take a log from there, and let us make a place there for us to live.” Elisha answers: “Go.” One of them asks: “Please be willing to go with your servants.” The prophet agrees and goes with them. When they reach the Jordan, they cut down trees. As one of them is felling a log, the iron head of his axe falls into the water. He cries out: “Alas, my master! It was borrowed!” Elisha asks: “Where did it fall?” The man shows him the place. The prophet cuts off a stick, throws it in at that spot, and makes the iron float. “Pick it up,” he says. The man reaches out his hand and takes it.
What happens
- The sons of the prophets want to build by the Jordan 2 Kings 6:1–2
- Elisha agrees to go with them: “I will go” 2 Kings 6:3–4
- The axe head falls into the water: “It was borrowed!” 2 Kings 6:5
- Elisha throws a stick in at the same spot and makes the iron float 2 Kings 6:6
- “Pick it up!”: the man takes the iron back 2 Kings 6:7
Who is in this story
The lesson
No worry is too small for God: a borrowed tool lost in the river becomes the occasion for a miracle. The LORD cares even about our responsibilities to others, here, returning what was lent to us.
And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim.
Quick quiz on this story
Where do the sons of the prophets go to cut logs?
They say, “Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan, and take thence every man a beam.” Elisha answers, “Go ye.” When they reach the Jordan, they cut down wood. 2 Kings 6:2
Why does the man cry, “Alas, my master!” when the axe head falls into the water?
He cries out, “Alas, master! for it was borrowed.” The loss was all the more serious because the tool was not his. 2 Kings 6:5
What does Elisha do to make the iron float?
Elisha cut down a stick and cast it in at the same spot where the iron fell, “and the iron did swim.” 2 Kings 6:6
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