INTRODUCTION: This lesson shows the Lord to be in charge even against unthinkable odds and in the most difficult of circumstances. Whether it be an army surrounding you or a horrible famine, God’s grace is sufficient.

1. THE RECOVERY OF THE AXE HEAD (2 Kings 6:1-7 [1] And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us. [2] Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan, and take thence every man a beam, and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell. And he answered, Go ye. [3] And one said, Be content, I pray thee, and go with thy servants. And he answered, I will go. [4] So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood. [5] But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed. [6] 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. [7] Therefore said he, Take it up to thee. And he put out his hand, and took it.
   See All...)
1. The Decision to Build a New Place (2 Kings 6:1-3 [1] And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us. [2] Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan, and take thence every man a beam, and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell. And he answered, Go ye. [3] And one said, Be content, I pray thee, and go with thy servants. And he answered, I will go.
   See All...)
1. The need (2 Kings 6:1And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us.
   See All...)
1. The place of dwelling was too strait.
2. The word strait means narrow or restricted (Job 36:16Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait into a broad place, where there is no straitness; and that which should be set on thy table should be full of fatness.
   See All...; Isaiah 49:20The children which thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the other, shall say again in thine ears, The place is too strait for me: give place to me that I may dwell.
   See All...; Matthew 7:13-14 [13] Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: [14] Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
   See All...).
2. The solution (2 Kings 6:2Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan, and take thence every man a beam, and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell. And he answered, Go ye.
   See All...)
1. To get wood
2. To build a place sufficient to dwell
3. The guarantee (2 Kings 6:3And one said, Be content, I pray thee, and go with thy servants. And he answered, I will go.
   See All...)
1. One of them requested the presence of Elisha.
2. Elisha agreed to go.
2. The Loss of the Axe Head (2 Kings 6:4-5 [4] So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood. [5] But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed.
   See All...)
1. Their work (2 Kings 6:4So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood.
   See All...)
1. They went to Jordan.
2. They cut wood.
2. Their emergency (2 Kings 6:5But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed.
   See All...)
1. The loss of the axe head
1. While felling a beam
2. It fell into the water.
2. The cry of the man
1. Unto Elisha
2. It was borrowed (Exodus 22:14And if a man borrow ought of his neighbour, and it be hurt, or die, the owner thereof being not with it, he shall surely make it good.
   See All...).
3. The Recovery of the Axe Head (2 Kings 6:6-7 [6] 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. [7] Therefore said he, Take it up to thee. And he put out his hand, and took it.
   See All...)
1. Elisha went to where the axe head was lost (2 Kings 6:6And 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.
   See All...).
1. He asked, Where fell it?
2. The man showed him the place.
2. Elisha threw a stick into the water (2 Kings 6:6And 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.
   See All...).
1. He cut down the stick.
2. The iron did swim.
3. Elisha had the man take the axe head (2 Kings 6:7Therefore said he, Take it up to thee. And he put out his hand, and took it.
   See All...).
2. THE FRUSTRATION OF THE SYRIANS (2 Kings 6:8-12 [8] Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp. [9] And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down. [10] And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice. [11] Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not shew me which of us is for the king of Israel? [12] And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.
   See All...)
1. Elisha Revealed the Syrian Movements (2 Kings 6:8-10 [8] Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp. [9] And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down. [10] And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice.
   See All...).
1. The king of Syria warred against Israel (2 Kings 6:8Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp.
   See All...).
2. The king of Syria planned the attack (2 Kings 6:8Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp.
   See All...).
1. Taking counsel of his servants
2. Planning the place of his camp
3. Elisha warned the king of Israel of the location of the Syrians (2 Kings 6:9And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down.
   See All...).
4. Elisha’s warning saved the Israelites (2 Kings 6:10And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice.
   See All...).
1. The king of Israel heeded the warning.
2. The Israelites were delivered several times.
2. Elisha Was Revealed as a Major Syrian Problem (2 Kings 6:11-12 [11] Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not shew me which of us is for the king of Israel? [12] And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.
   See All...).
1. The plea of the king of Syria (2 Kings 6:11Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not shew me which of us is for the king of Israel?
   See All...)
1. His heart was sore troubled.
2. He inquired who was informing the king of Israel.
2. One of his servants answered (2 Kings 6:12And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.
   See All...).
1. None of your servants are informants.
2. The prophet Elisha informs the king of Israel.
3. He tells the words that you speak in your bedchamber (Ecclesiastes 10:20Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.
   See All...; Psalm 139:1-4 [1] O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. [2] Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. [3] Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. [4] For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
   See All...).
3. THE PROTECTION OF ELISHA (2 Kings 6:13-17 [13] And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan. [14] Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about. [15] And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? [16] And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. [17] And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
   See All...)
1. The King of Syria Sent to Fetch Elisha (2 Kings 6:13-14 [13] And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan. [14] Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about.
   See All...).
1. The king of Syria sent to locate Elisha (2 Kings 6:13And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan.
   See All...).
1. They went to spy him out.
2. They found him in Dothan.
2. The king of Syria sent to fetch Elisha (2 Kings 6:14Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about.
   See All...).
1. He sent an army.
2. They came by night.
3. They surrounded the city.
2. Elisha Revealed the Army of God (2 Kings 6:15-17 [15] And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? [16] And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. [17] And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
   See All...).
1. The discovery of the servant of Elisha (2 Kings 6:15And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?
   See All...)
1. He rose early in the morning.
2. He saw the army with horses and chariots.
3. He cried in despair to Elisha.
2. Elisha calmed his servant (2 Kings 6:16And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
   See All...).
3. The revelation given to the servant of Elisha (2 Kings 6:17And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
   See All...)
1. Elisha prayed for the opening of his eyes.
2. The Lord opened the eyes of the servant.
3. He saw the mountain filled with horses and chariots of fire (2 Kings 2:11And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
   See All...; Isaiah 66:15For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
   See All...).
4. THE BLINDING OF THE SYRIANS (2 Kings 6:18-23 [18] And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. [19] And Elisha said unto them, This is not the way, neither is this the city: follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom ye seek. But he led them to Samaria. [20] And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see. And the LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and, behold, they were in the midst of Samaria. [21] And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite them? shall I smite them? [22] And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master. [23] And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.
   See All...)
1. Elisha Led the Syrians to Samaria (2 Kings 6:18-20 [18] And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. [19] And Elisha said unto them, This is not the way, neither is this the city: follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom ye seek. But he led them to Samaria. [20] And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see. And the LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and, behold, they were in the midst of Samaria.
   See All...).
1. Elisha asked the Lord to blind the eyes of the Syrian army (2 Kings 6:18And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
   See All...).
2. The Syrians followed Elisha to Samaria – about 12 miles (2 Kings 6:19And Elisha said unto them, This is not the way, neither is this the city: follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom ye seek. But he led them to Samaria.
   See All...).
3. The opening of their eyes in Samaria (2 Kings 6:20And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see. And the LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and, behold, they were in the midst of Samaria.
   See All...)
1. According to the prayer of Elisha
2. In the midst of great confusion
2. Elisha Sent the Syrians Home (2 Kings 6:21-23 [21] And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite them? shall I smite them? [22] And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master. [23] And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.
   See All...).
1. The confusion of the king of Israel (2 Kings 6:21And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite them? shall I smite them?
   See All...); shall I smite them?
2. The treatment of the soldiers of Syria (2 Kings 6:22And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.
   See All...)
1. To be treated as captives taken in war
2. To be given bread and water
3. To be allowed to go home
3. The response of the Syrian army (2 Kings 6:23And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.
   See All...)
1. They ate and drank their fill.
2. They went home and came no more into the land of Israel.
5. THE SIEGE OF SAMARIA (2 Kings 6:24-30 [24] And it came to pass after this, that Benhadad king of Syria gathered all his host, and went up, and besieged Samaria. [25] And there was a great famine in Samaria: and, behold, they besieged it, until an ass's head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of dove's dung for five pieces of silver. [26] And as the king of Israel was passing by upon the wall, there cried a woman unto him, saying, Help, my lord, O king. [27] And he said, If the LORD do not help thee, whence shall I help thee? out of the barnfloor, or out of the winepress? [28] And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, This woman said unto me, Give thy son, that we may eat him to day, and we will eat my son to morrow. [29] So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son. [30] And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes; and he passed by upon the wall, and the people looked, and, behold, he had sackcloth within upon his flesh.
   See All...)
1. The Crippling of Samaria (2 Kings 6:24-25 [24] And it came to pass after this, that Benhadad king of Syria gathered all his host, and went up, and besieged Samaria. [25] And there was a great famine in Samaria: and, behold, they besieged it, until an ass's head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of dove's dung for five pieces of silver.
   See All...)
1. The siege of Samaria (2 Kings 6:24And it came to pass after this, that Benhadad king of Syria gathered all his host, and went up, and besieged Samaria.
   See All...)
1. After the preceding events
2. By Benhadad king of Syria
2. The famine of the city of Samaria (2 Kings 6:25And there was a great famine in Samaria: and, behold, they besieged it, until an ass's head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of dove's dung for five pieces of silver.
   See All...)
1. A great famine in the city
2. As indicated by the prices
1. An ass’s head for 80 pieces of silver
2. A quarter of a cab of dove’s dung for five pieces of silver
1. A cab was a dry measure equal to about two quarts.
2. Modern “scholars” try to change this passage to refer to something else, but there is no need. This was a time of extreme famine when mothers were eating their own children to stay alive. See another description of famine in Lamentations 4:5They that did feed delicately are desolate in the streets: they that were brought up in scarlet embrace dunghills.
   See All... where those “brought up in scarlet embrace dunghills.”
2. The Woman Who Cried to the King (2 Kings 6:26-29 [26] And as the king of Israel was passing by upon the wall, there cried a woman unto him, saying, Help, my lord, O king. [27] And he said, If the LORD do not help thee, whence shall I help thee? out of the barnfloor, or out of the winepress? [28] And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, This woman said unto me, Give thy son, that we may eat him to day, and we will eat my son to morrow. [29] So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son.
   See All...)
1. She cried unto the king for help (2 Kings 6:26And as the king of Israel was passing by upon the wall, there cried a woman unto him, saying, Help, my lord, O king.
   See All...).
2. He stated his inability to help (2 Kings 6:27And he said, If the LORD do not help thee, whence shall I help thee? out of the barnfloor, or out of the winepress?
   See All...).
1. If the Lord do not help
2. Then the king cannot help
3. She told her story (2 Kings 6:28-29 [28] And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, This woman said unto me, Give thy son, that we may eat him to day, and we will eat my son to morrow. [29] So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son.
   See All...).
1. At the request of the king (2 Kings 6:28And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, This woman said unto me, Give thy son, that we may eat him to day, and we will eat my son to morrow.
   See All...)
2. She told of her agreement with another mother (2 Kings 6:28And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, This woman said unto me, Give thy son, that we may eat him to day, and we will eat my son to morrow.
   See All...).
1. To eat her son one day
2. To eat the other son the next day
3. They ate the first mother’s son (2 Kings 6:29So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son.
   See All...).
4. But the second mother hid her son (2 Kings 6:29So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son.
   See All...).
3. The Response of the King (2 Kings 6:30And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes; and he passed by upon the wall, and the people looked, and, behold, he had sackcloth within upon his flesh.
   See All...)
1. He heard the words of the woman.
2. He rent his clothes.
3. He revealed the sackcloth under his clothes.
6. THE DECISION TO KILL ELISHA (2 Kings 6:31-33 [31] Then he said, God do so and more also to me, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stand on him this day. [32] But Elisha sat in his house, and the elders sat with him; and the king sent a man from before him: but ere the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, See ye how this son of a murderer hath sent to take away mine head? look, when the messenger cometh, shut the door, and hold him fast at the door: is not the sound of his master's feet behind him? [33] And while he yet talked with them, behold, the messenger came down unto him: and he said, Behold, this evil is of the LORD; what should I wait for the LORD any longer?
   See All...)
1. The King’s Determination to Kill Elisha (2 Kings 6:31Then he said, God do so and more also to me, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stand on him this day.
   See All...)
1. The king blamed Elisha for the problems he had caused.
2. The king determined to kill Elisha.
2. Elisha’s Anticipation of the King’s Messenger (2 Kings 6:32-33 [32] But Elisha sat in his house, and the elders sat with him; and the king sent a man from before him: but ere the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, See ye how this son of a murderer hath sent to take away mine head? look, when the messenger cometh, shut the door, and hold him fast at the door: is not the sound of his master's feet behind him? [33] And while he yet talked with them, behold, the messenger came down unto him: and he said, Behold, this evil is of the LORD; what should I wait for the LORD any longer?
   See All...)
1. Elisha sat in his house with the elders (2 Kings 6:32But Elisha sat in his house, and the elders sat with him; and the king sent a man from before him: but ere the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, See ye how this son of a murderer hath sent to take away mine head? look, when the messenger cometh, shut the door, and hold him fast at the door: is not the sound of his master's feet behind him?
   See All...).
2. The king sent a messenger to call for Elisha (2 Kings 6:32But Elisha sat in his house, and the elders sat with him; and the king sent a man from before him: but ere the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, See ye how this son of a murderer hath sent to take away mine head? look, when the messenger cometh, shut the door, and hold him fast at the door: is not the sound of his master's feet behind him?
   See All...).
3. Elisha prophesied of the king’s intent (2 Kings 6:32But Elisha sat in his house, and the elders sat with him; and the king sent a man from before him: but ere the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, See ye how this son of a murderer hath sent to take away mine head? look, when the messenger cometh, shut the door, and hold him fast at the door: is not the sound of his master's feet behind him?
   See All...).
1. This son of a murderer
2. Has sent to take Elisha’s head
4. Elisha planned a response to the king (2 Kings 6:32But Elisha sat in his house, and the elders sat with him; and the king sent a man from before him: but ere the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, See ye how this son of a murderer hath sent to take away mine head? look, when the messenger cometh, shut the door, and hold him fast at the door: is not the sound of his master's feet behind him?
   See All...).
1. Shut the door behind the messenger.
2. His master will not be far behind.
5. Elisha made a proclamation (2 Kings 6:33And while he yet talked with them, behold, the messenger came down unto him: and he said, Behold, this evil is of the LORD; what should I wait for the LORD any longer?
   See All...).
1. This evil is of the Lord.
2. There is no need to wait any longer.

CONCLUSION: Elisha spares the king of Israel on numerous times only to have the king blame him for the terrible famine of the land.