30 AMAZING BIBLE STORIES YOU MAY NOT KNOW
#17 – THE SWIMMING AXE HEAD | 2 KINGS 6:1-7
A BIT ABOUT ELISHA
We see the beginning of Elisha’s ministry with the conclusion of Elijah’s ministry – 2 Kings 2:9-15.
Verse 9 - Elisha asked his mentor, Elijah, for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit.
Verse 10- Elijah required that Elisha see the departure in order to receive the blessing.
Verses 11-14 – Elisha did see the departure, and ended up dividing the waters of the Jordan river and crossing on dry land.
Verse 15 – the followers of Elijah recognize Elisha as the new prophetic leader.
Elisha’s ministry had 16 miracles, double the number of Elijah. Our miracle is the 12th.
Elisha was a prophet of the Northern Kingdom, announcing God’s disfavor with the rebel kings.
CRAMPED QUARTERS | 2 KINGS 6:1-3
It was common for prophets and other religious leaders to have disciples. These disciples often lived with the prophet, learning from him daily.
The “School of Elisha” must have been growing, for their living conditions had become too strait (v. 1), that is, too small.
How many were there?
2 Kings 2:16 – 50 men
2 Kings 4:43 – 100 men
What caused the growth?
Perhaps simply Elisha’s notoriety.
Perhaps the removal of Gehazi, a self-serving “doorkeeper” who had been servant of Elisha in the previous chapter.
Elisha and his followers had been living in Samaria (2 Kings 5:3), a large city, the capital of the Northern Kingdom. Now the men want to move unto Jordan (that is, the Jordan River valley).
The reason for the move to Jordan can only be speculated:
Poverty – Life in the city is far more expensive. The students of the prophetic school were likely, as is typical of students, having a difficult time making ends meet. Less expensive rural life was appealing. (Note that several of the previous miracles center around poverty – 2 Kings 4:1, 39, for example).
Ideology – the values of Elisha were at odds with Samaria. It would be a relief to be in more “friendly” territory.
THE SWIMMING AXE HEAD | 2 KINGS 6:4-7
As the men were cutting wood, one of them lost the axe head into the water (vv. 4-5).
The student seemed to be distraught, especially because it was borrowed (v. 5). This testifies to the student’s poverty, and his concern over the “everyday” matters of life. He was not concerned about his retirement account, but matters much more close to home.
There are some intriguing matters about the floating of the axe head:
Elisha asks to see the location. Why?
Elisha cuts a stick and places it in the water. Why?
Several of Elisha’s miracles have interesting parallels. For example:
Naaman’s leprosy was transferred to Gehazi.
He gave sight to his servant and removed it from the enemy.
This “trading places” theme is evident a number of times in Elisha’s ministry. It appears the stick was “trading places” with the axe head. That which should float sank, and that which should sink began to float.
There is also the theme of someone else “finishing” the work – v. 7.
The miracle of the oil – 1 Kings 4:7
The resurrection of the boy – 1 Kings 4:36-37
IS THERE ANY APPLICATION?
This appears to be one of many miracles that display the power of the prophet.
Such power was available only to a prophet.
Any definition of “prophet” that does not include prophetic power is insufficient or ill-informed.
Because no such prophetic powers are seen today, we begin to research the lack thereof, and come to a dispensational answer.
On a spiritual application (if one be needed), John Newton penned these words:
“Not one concern of ours is small If we belong to Him; To teach us this, the Lord of all Once made the iron to swim”.
