2 Kings 6:1

2 Kings 6:1-7. Elisha causeth an axe lost in the river to float (Not in Chronicles)

1. And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha There is nothing to indicate which out of the various prophetic communities is here spoken of. But by the proposal which follows, that they should go to the Jordan, and bring from thence each man his beam, we may conclude that the place was not far from the river. The station nearest to the Jordan of which we are told is Jericho, and it may be that there the company had grown beyond their buildings.

the place where we dwell with[R.V. before] thee The R.V. is correct, and gives more truly the picture of Elisha's relation to these societies. From the other parts of the history we can gather that he made visits to the several settlements from time to time. And when he arrived, and while he remained, the members were about him as scholars around a teacher. They sat before him (2 Kings 4:38). Hence the preposition in this verse.

is too strait for us The religious activity of the prophetic schools must have been very great during the life of Elisha, and must also have produced its effect upon the life of the nation. We cannot regard these societies merely as retreats from the world, where the servants of Jehovah retired in despair. Such families as that at Shunem, spoken of in the last chapter, must have been of frequent occurrence. And the increase of the number of prophets may be taken as a sign that true religion was growing in the land. -It is a good hearing that the prophets want elbow-room." (Bp Hall.)