"Where did it fall?" asked the man of God. And when he showed him the place, the man of God cut a stick, threw it there, and made the iron float. Where did it fall?This phrase is a direct question from Elisha, the "man of God," demonstrating his concern and willingness to help. The Hebrew root for "fall" is נָפַל (naphal), which often signifies a sudden or unexpected descent. This question highlights the importance of identifying the problem's location before seeking a solution, a principle that can be applied to spiritual and practical life. It emphasizes the need for clarity and honesty in addressing issues. asked the man of God
The term "man of God" is a title of respect and recognition of Elisha's prophetic authority and divine connection. In Hebrew, "man of God" is אִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים (ish ha'Elohim), indicating someone who speaks and acts on behalf of God. This title underscores the belief that God works through chosen individuals to accomplish His purposes, and it reminds believers of the importance of seeking guidance from those who are spiritually mature and connected to God. And when he showed him the place
This phrase indicates cooperation and trust between the man who lost the axe head and Elisha. The act of showing the place is a step of faith, acknowledging the problem and seeking divine intervention. It reflects the biblical principle of confession and transparency before God and His representatives, which is often the first step toward receiving help and restoration. Elisha cut a stick
The action of cutting a stick is simple yet significant. The Hebrew word for "cut" is קָצַב (qatsab), which means to cut or shape. This act symbolizes preparation and obedience, as Elisha uses a natural element to facilitate a supernatural event. It serves as a reminder that God often uses ordinary means to accomplish extraordinary miracles, and it encourages believers to be attentive and obedient to God's instructions, no matter how simple they may seem. and threw it there
Elisha's action of throwing the stick into the water is an act of faith and prophetic symbolism. The Hebrew verb שָׁלַךְ (shalach) means to throw or cast, often implying a deliberate and purposeful action. This gesture signifies the release of human effort and the invitation for divine intervention. It teaches that faith often requires action, and believers are called to trust God's power to work through their obedience. and made the iron float
The miracle of the iron floating defies natural laws, demonstrating God's sovereignty over creation. The Hebrew word for "float" is צָף (tsaph), which means to float or rise to the surface. This miraculous event serves as a powerful testament to God's ability to reverse the irreversible and restore what is lost. It inspires believers to trust in God's power to redeem and restore, even in seemingly impossible situations, and it reinforces the belief that nothing is too difficult for God. Persons / Places / Events 1. ElishaA prophet in Israel, successor to Elijah, known for performing miracles and guiding the nation spiritually. 2. The Sons of the ProphetsA group of prophetic disciples or students who were under the mentorship of Elisha. 3. The Jordan RiverA significant river in Israel where many biblical events occurred, including this miracle. 4. The Axe HeadAn iron tool that fell into the river, symbolizing a lost resource that was miraculously recovered. 5. The MiracleElisha's act of making the iron axe head float, demonstrating God's power and care for even small concerns. Teaching Points God's Concern for Our NeedsGod cares about the details of our lives, even those that seem insignificant, like a lost axe head. Faith and ObedienceElisha's faith in God's power led to a miraculous outcome. Our faith and obedience can also lead to God's intervention in our lives. God's ProvisionJust as God provided for the sons of the prophets, He provides for us in our times of need, often in unexpected ways. The Power of Simple ActsSimple acts of faith, like Elisha throwing a stick, can lead to great outcomes when God is involved. Miracles as a TestimonyMiracles serve as a testimony to God's power and presence, encouraging others to trust in Him. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the account of the floating axe head demonstrate God's concern for the everyday problems we face? 2. In what ways can we show faith and obedience in our daily lives, similar to Elisha's actions? 3. Can you think of a time when God provided for you in an unexpected way? How did that experience strengthen your faith? 4. How can simple acts of faith lead to significant outcomes in our spiritual journey? 5. How do miracles in the Bible, like the floating axe head, serve as a testimony to God's power and encourage us to trust Him more? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 15:25Just as Moses threw a piece of wood into the water to make it drinkable, Elisha uses a stick to perform a miracle, showing God's provision through simple acts of faith. Matthew 17:27Jesus instructs Peter to find a coin in a fish's mouth to pay the temple tax, illustrating God's provision in unexpected ways. Acts 3:6Peter heals a lame man, showing that God's power can work through His servants to meet needs and perform miracles. People Aram, Benhadad, Ben-hadad, Elisha, Shaphat, SyriansPlaces Dothan, Jordan River, Samaria, SyriaTopics Cast, Casteth, Causeth, Cut, Cutteth, Cutting, Elisha, Fall, Fallen, Fell, Float, Floated, Iron, Shewed, Sheweth, Showed, Stick, Swim, Thither, Threw, WhitherDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 6:1-7 4514 stick 2 Kings 6:5-6 4336 iron
7773 prophets, role 2 Kings 6:5-7 1416 miracles, nature of
5233 borrowing Library Young Man! a Prayer for You
THIS YOUNG MAN waited upon a prophet: he could not have had a more instructive occupation; yet his eyes needed to be opened. He was well disposed towards good things, for the tone of his language to his master shows that he was heartily at one with him; but his eyes were not yet half opened. Being in great alarm for his master's safety, he ran to him to warn him: good servants should be their master's best friends. In return, his believing master prays for him. If we desire the good of our servants, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891Of the Practice of Piety in Fasting.
There are divers kinds of fasting--First, A constrained fast, as when men either have not food to eat, as in the famine of Samaria (2 Kings vi. 25;) or, having food, cannot eat it for heaviness or sickness, as it befel them who were in the ship with St. Paul (Acts xxvii. 33.) This is rather famine than fasting. Secondly, A natural fast, which we undertake physically, for the health of our body. Thirdly, A civil fast, which the magistrate enjoins for the better maintenance of the commonwealth. Fourthly, …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Whether a Mann is Bound to Correct his Prelate?
Objection 1: It would seem that no man is bound to correct his prelate. For it is written (Ex. 19:12): "The beast that shall touch the mount shall be stoned," [*Vulg.: 'Everyone that shall touch the mount, dying he shall die.'] and (2 Kings 6:7) it is related that the Lord struck Oza for touching the ark. Now the mount and the ark signify our prelates. Therefore prelates should not be corrected by their subjects. Objection 2: Further, a gloss on Gal. 2:11, "I withstood him to the face," adds: "as …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica The Absolute Godhood of God is Seen in Administration
God not only created everything, but everything which He created is subject to His immediate control. God rules over the works of His hands. God governs the creatures He has made. God reigns with universal dominion. When He pleased, the sun and moon stood still (Josh. 10:12, 13); and at a word from Him the sun went backward ten degrees on the dial of Ahaz (Is. 38:8). At His command the Red Sea ceased to flow, and at His command it resumed its normal course (Ex. 14). In response to the prayer of Elisha, …
Arthur W. Pink—The Godhood of God The Christian Convert Warned Of, and Animated against those Discouragements which He must Expect to Meet when Entering on a Religious Course.
1. Christ has instructed his disciples to expect opposition and difficulties in the way to heaven.--2. Therefore a more particular view of them is taken, as arising from the remainder of indwelling sin.--3. From the world, and especially from former sinful companions.--4. From the temptations and suggest ions of Satan.--5, 6. The Christian is animated and encouraged, by various considerations, to oppose them; particularly by the presence of God; the aids of Christ; the example of others, who, though …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul In the Creation of the World, and all Things in It, the True God Distinguished by Certain Marks from Fictitious Gods.
1. The mere fact of creation should lead us to acknowledge God, but to prevent our falling away to Gentile fictions, God has been pleased to furnish a history of the creation. An impious objection, Why the world was not created sooner? Answer to it. Shrewd saying of an old man. 2. For the same reason, the world was created, not in an instant, but in six days. The order of creation described, showing that Adam was not created until God had, with infinite goodness made ample provision for him. 3. The …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion The Helpless State of the Sinner under Condemnation.
1, 2. The sinner urged to consider how he can be saved from this impending ruin.--3. Not by any thing he can offer.--4. Nor by any thing he can endure.--5. Nor by any thing hr can do in the course of future duty.--6-8. Nor by any alliance with fellow-sinners on earth or in hell.--9. Nor by any interposition or intercession of angels or saints in his favor. Hint of the only method to be afterwards more largely explained. The lamentation of a sinner in this miserable condition. 1. SINNER, thou hast …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul Prayer
But I give myself unto prayer.' Psa 109: 4. I shall not here expatiate upon prayer, as it will be considered more fully in the Lord's prayer. It is one thing to pray, and another thing to be given to prayer: he who prays frequently, is said to be given to prayer; as he who often distributes alms, is said to be given to charity. Prayer is a glorious ordinance, it is the soul's trading with heaven. God comes down to us by his Spirit, and we go up to him by prayer. What is prayer? It is an offering …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments May one Lose the Blessing?
The question trembles from many a lip--If I get the blessing, may I lose it? Most certainly. But, glory be to God! He has made ample provision for failure. There is no reason why we should fail; God has made ample provision against failure; we must not expect to fail; but in case we do fail, provision has been made. The most prolific cause of loss is disobedience--disobedience either to one of God's written commands, or to the inward promptings of His Holy Spirit. "The Holy Ghost whom God hath …
John MacNeil—The Spirit-Filled Life Meditations for the Morning.
1. Almighty God can, in the resurrection, as easily raise up thy body out of the grave, from the sleep of death, as he hath this morning wakened thee in thy bed, out of the sleep of nature. At the dawning of which resurrection day, Christ shall come to be glorified in his saints; and every one of the bodies of the thousands of his saints, being fashioned like unto his glorious body, shall shine as bright as the sun (2 Thess. i. 10; Jude, ver. 14; Phil. iii. 21; Luke ix. 31;) all the angels shining …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Letter xix (A. D. 1127) to Suger, Abbot of S. Denis
To Suger, Abbot of S. Denis He praises Suger, who had unexpectedly renounced the pride and luxury of the world to give himself to the modest habits of the religious life. He blames severely the clerk who devotes himself rather to the service of princes than that of God. 1. A piece of good news has reached our district; it cannot fail to do great good to whomsoever it shall have come. For who that fear God, hearing what great things He has done for your soul, do not rejoice and wonder at the great …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux The Roman Pilgrimage: the Miracles which were Wrought in It.
[Sidenote: 1139] 33. (20). It seemed to him, however, that one could not go on doing these things with sufficient security without the authority of the Apostolic See; and for that reason he determined to set out for Rome, and most of all because the metropolitan see still lacked, and from the beginning had lacked, the use of the pall, which is the fullness of honour.[507] And it seemed good in his eyes[508] that the church for which he had laboured so much[509] should acquire, by his zeal and labour, …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh A Cloud of Witnesses.
"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.... By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Kings 6:6 NIV2 Kings 6:6 NLT2 Kings 6:6 ESV2 Kings 6:6 NASB2 Kings 6:6 KJV
2 Kings 6:6 Commentaries
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