Iron did Swim II Kings 6

II Kings 6:6 "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."

Elisha was a man of miracles. This chapter continues the stories with the floating axe story.

I call it a story but it really did happen. The sons of the prophets decided to move and went to the river Jordan and were building a shelter. They had invited Elisha along and so he was there while they were building. One of the men had borrowed an axe. The iron head came off and went into the river. The man who borrowed the axe was upset because he could not now return it. Elisha threw in the stick and the axe floated to the top. All the man had to do was reach out and get the axe. It is a good story and I think of salvation because all the work has been done for one to receive salvation, it is a matter of believing and reaching out and taking it.

v8 "The king of Syria warred against Israel and took counsel with his servants saying In such and such a place shall be my camp."

Elisha told the king of Israel the plans and his life was saved more than once because he knew in advance where the Syrians would be. The king of Syria thought he had a traitor in his midst and so confronted his men.

v12 "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."

Then the king of Syria spied out where Elisha was and sent chariots to fetch him. Elisha was not afraid of the army and told his servant there was no need to fear.

v16-17 "And he answered Fear not for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. 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."

Often, we are fearful because we cannot see what God is doing for us with our physical eye. He protects us nevertheless.

The Syrians were stricken blind and then Elisha led them into the camp of Israel in Samaria. The king of Israel wondered to Elisha if he should smite them but Elisha told him instead to feed them and let them go home.

The Syrians did not give up completely. They laid siege to Samaria and caused starvation inside the gates. So much so that two women agreed to boil their children to eat. v29 There were few horses left. Elisha is then threatened.

Psalm 121:5 "The LORD is thy keeper; the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand."

Keywords: Bible Study. Old Testament, Israel, Elisha. Elisha causes an axe to float. The iron did swim.