6:1-7 The incident of the floating ax head is recorded to show God’s care and provision for those who trust him, even in the insignificant events of everyday life. God is always present. Placed in the Bible between the healing of a Syrian general and the deliverance of Israel’s army, this miracle also shows Elisha’s personal contact with the students in the groups of the prophets. Although he had the respect of kings, Elisha never forgot to care for the faithful. Don’t let the importance of your work crowd out your concern for human need.
6:16, 17 Elisha’s servant was no longer afraid when he saw God’s mighty heavenly army. Faith reveals that God is doing more for his people than we can ever realize through sight alone. When you face difficulties that seem insurmountable, remember that spiritual resources are there even if you can’t see them. Look with the eyes of faith, and let God show you his resources. If you don’t see God working in your life, the problem may be your spiritual eyesight, not God’s power.
6:21, 22 Elisha told the king not to kill the Syrians. The king was not to take credit for what God alone had done. In setting food and water before them, he was heaping “coals of fire” on their heads (Proverbs 25:21, 22).
6:24 This was probably Ben-hadad II, whose father had ruled Syria in the days of Baasha (1 Kings 15:18). Elisha constantly frustrated Ben-hadad II in his attempts to take control of Israel.
6:25 When a city like Samaria faced famine, it was no small matter. Although its farmers grew enough food to feed the people for a specific season, they did not have enough to sustain them in prolonged times of emergency when all supplies were cut off. This famine was so severe that mothers resorted to eating their children (6:26-30). Deuteronomy 28:49-57 predicted that this would happen when the people of Israel rejected God’s leadership.
6:31 The words “God do so and more also to me” introduce a vow (see Ruth 1:17; 1 Samuel 14:44). In this case, the king was vowing to execute Elisha.
6:31-33 Why did the king blame Elisha for the famine and troubles of the siege? Here are some possible reasons: (1) Some commentators say that Elisha must have told the king to trust God for deliverance. The king did this and even wore sackcloth (6:30), but at this point the situation seemed hopeless. Apparently the king thought Elisha had given him bad advice and not even God could help them. (2) For years the kings of Israel and the prophets of God had been in conflict. The prophets often predicted doom because of the kings’ evil, so the kings saw them as troublemakers. Thus, Israel’s king was striking out in frustration at Elisha. (3) The king may have remembered when Elijah helped bring an end to a famine (1 Kings 18:41-46). Knowing Elisha was a man of God, perhaps the king thought he could do any miracle he wanted and was angry that he had not come to Israel’s rescue.