Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 6

The loss of the axe head

2 Kings 6:4-5

It is interesting to compare what actually happened with the original plan. The original plan seemed very simple. There were many trees by the river Jordan. Each man would cut down a tree to make a pole (6:2). There were more than 100 men in the group (4:43). So, if they all worked together, they would soon have enough wood for their buildings.

However, these were poor men, and they did not own enough tools for the task. So, they had to persuade other people to lend them the tools. An iron tool, like the head of an axe, was expensive for a poor person. An axe was the best tool to cut down a tree; but it was essential to attach the head firmly to a wooden handle. A person who uses an axe swings it with all his strength. So clearly, it must be completely firm.

Unfortunately, this axe was not firm enough. The man was working by the river when the axe head broke away from its handle. That could have been very dangerous – but nobody suffered an injury on this occasion. However, the head of the axe fell into the river, and nobody could find it. That was a great loss for the man who was using it. He would be unable to return the axe head to its owner, so he would have to pay for it.

Probably, he did not have enough money to afford it. If he could have afforded an axe, he would not have asked someone else to lend it to him.

So, he appealed to Elisha. It was not clear how Elisha could help him. However, God was working powerfully in Elisha’s life – and this man very much needed God’s help in this situation.

Next part: The axe head floats (2 Kings 6:6-7)

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