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CHAPTER 12 : Two Wonderful Manifestations of God's
Presence with His Prophet: The Interposition on behalf of " the
Sons of the Prophets" by the banks of Jordan, and that in the
deliverance of Elisha at Dothan - influence of Elisha's Ministry
- God, the ever-present Help and Deliverer in times of Danger -
The Syrians led blinded into Samaria - The Conduct of the King
and of the Prophet. (2 Kings 6:1-23.)
FOR a brief space the narrative turns again to the more private and personal ministry
of Elisha. Or perhaps it may be more correct to say that the history which now
follows is inserted in this connection, immediately after that of Gehazi, to show that
as the unfaithful servant who did not realize the presence and help of Jehovah,
received meet punishment, so would they who clung to the prophet in faith and with
faithfulness experience the deliverance of God, and this, even in seemingly small
matters, and, if need be, by extraordinary interposition. Thus the history of the
miraculously restored ax would supplement and complement that of Gehazi's
punishment - both teaching substantially the same lessons: only the one in their
negative, the other in their positive aspect.
We have repeatedly noticed that the ministry of Elisha had its deep influence upon
Israel, despite the corruption in Church and State. Perhaps one of the most pleasing
evidences of this appears in the growing number of "the sons of the prophets." On a
previous occasion (2 Kings 4:43) we found at Gilgal about one hundred assembled to
listen to the instruction of Elisha. This would represent a large number in proportion
to the small and, in parts, semi-heathen population of the northern kingdom -
especially when we remember that there were similar communities at Bethel and at
Jericho. It is probably among the latter that the present narrative is laid, and it shows
that this community was so prosperous that their meeting-place^218 no longer sufficed
for their growing numbers.
It was this which led to the proposal of constructing another and larger place for their
use by the banks of the Jordan. From the abundance of timber in the district it would
be easy to provide accommodation sufficient for their simple wants. And the manner
in which their proposal was worded (ver. 2) is peculiarly and graphically Eastern.
Elisha not only assented to their project, but at their request consented to accompany
and remain with them while engaged in their work. It need scarcely be said that this
was not asked in order that the prophet might superintend their labors, but to have in
their midst the loved master, whose very presence seemed to imply the Divine
blessing, and whose words of instruction would secure it. In any case the whole
(^)