Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 6
In Bethel, Jericho and Gilgal, there lived men with their families who were loyal to the true God. These men called themselves ‘the sons of the prophets’ because they learnt from Israel’s prophets (holy men). Elisha visited them often.
At the time of Elisha, many more people were turning to the true God (1 Kings 19:18). Some of them chose to join with these groups and to study with them. So, the numbers in these groups increased. Elisha often travelled between the groups and he taught them.
The incident that follows, happened at the river Jordan. Bethel was not near Jordan; and people would not go from Jericho to the Jordan to cut down trees. The city called Jericho was famous for the palm trees that already grew there (Deuteronomy 34:3). So, this passage supports the idea that Gilgal in 2 Kings 4:38 was the same place as in Joshua 5:9-10. Here, Israel’s people first camped after they crossed the river Jordan at the time of Joshua. At the time of Elisha, it was probably only a village. This place, or the buildings in it, had become too small for ‘the sons of the prophets’. So, they wanted to build a new place where they could live and study together, near the Jordan river.
However, before they began to carry out that plan, they first inquired of God. They knew that God was working powerfully in Elisha’s life – so, they asked Elisha. Elisha told them, very simply, to go. Their plan was right and proper.
Next part: Elijah goes with the sons of the prophets (2 Kings 6:3)
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