The Bible isn’t just about prophets and kings. Construction workers show up in the Bible, too! In 2 Kings 6:1-4, a group referred to as the “company of the prophets” or “sons of the prophets” has an existing place to meet with Elisha (perhaps like a hall or a school), but it’s getting cramped, so they suggest building a new facility.
As a long-time member of the congregation I currently worship with, I can relate. Some years back, our previous building was getting full, and so a new one with more space was built. Even the building where I first started attending here in town was not the first one (nor the second) for that congregation.
Back to 2 Kings 6, the group asked Elisha to join them on a “supply run” to get materials for their new place. I’m not sure if they just appreciated his company, if they wanted to have God’s blessing on their work, or if he also happened to be a carpenter. Regardless of their reasons, though, he agreed to join them.
As with many projects, though, something unexpected occurred.
As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axhead fell into the water. “Oh no, my lord!” he cried out. “It was borrowed!”
2 Kings 6:5 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/2ki.6.5.NIV
Don’t you hate it when your neighbor borrows your tools and then loses or breaks them? Now, we should be forgiving, of course, but if you’ve ever been lent something yourself and ran into a similar situation, you know the kinds of emotions that this guy was feeling. Having to return something you borrowed in bad condition is embarrassing. (Sometimes, I just buy a replacement. I did that once, for instance, with a book that I borrowed from a pastor.)
Now, I suspect that – just like many axes today – the ax handle was replaceable. Wood was plentiful and could be re-cut. However, iron was probably in shorter supply, and getting a new one reforged by a blacksmith would have been more expensive. Furthermore, this particular “lumberjack” probably didn’t have his own ax (and maybe not enough money to buy a replacement), since he needed to borrow this one.
The man of God asked, “Where did it fall?” When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron float. “Lift it out,” he said. Then the man reached out his hand and took it.
2 Kings 6:6-7 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/2ki.6.6-7.NIV
Once again, as was the case elsewhere in the ministries of Elijah and Elisha, the process by which this miracle was performed was unusual, to say the least. My training in engineering and physics says that iron doesn’t float in water. However, in this case, Elisha cut a stick (presumably with another ax, since the first one was at the bottom of the Jordan River), threw it into the water, and the ax head floated, allowing the worker to get it. I suspect that when they re-fitted that ax head to a handle, they made sure that it was good and tight!
So, why did God work here? The miracle was beneficial to someone doing good for prophets who respected Elisha, a man of God. I also think that the person (Elisha) and the means (a stick making iron float) by which this miracle was accomplished affirmed God’s power to work in His world. And, the group who asked Elisha along may have done so for the very purpose of seeking God’s blessing on their work, which they received. These are some things to consider when you and I next need to ask God for help!
From Sunday School lesson prepared for June 8, 2025
References:
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – 1 & 2 Kings, by Jesse C. Long, Jr. © 2002 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 