61 Now the sons of the prophets said to Elisha , "Behold now , the place before you where e we are living is too limited for us. 2 "Please let us go to the Jordan and each of us take from there a beam , and let us make a place there for ourselves where we may live ." So he said , "Go ." 3 Then one said , "Please be willing to go with your servants ." And he answered , "I shall go ." 4 So he went with them; and when they came to the Jordan , they cut down trees . 5 But as one was felling a beam , the axe head fell into the water ; and he cried out and said , "Alas , my master ! For it was borrowed ." 6 Then the man of God said , "Where did it fall ?" And when he showed him the place , he cut off a stick and threw it in there , and made the iron float . 7 He said , "Take it up for yourself." So he put out his hand and took it.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Kings 6:1-7
Commentary on 2 Kings 6:1-7
(Read 2 Kings 6:1-7)
There is that pleasantness in the converse of servants of God, which can make those who listen to them forget the pain and the weariness of labour. Even the sons of the prophets must not be unwilling to labour. Let no man think an honest employment a burden or a disgrace. And labour of the head, is as hard, and very often harder, than labour with the hands. We ought to be careful of that which is borrowed, as of our own, because we must do as we would be done by. This man was so respecting the axe-head. And to those who have an honest mind, the sorest grievance of poverty is, not so much their own want and disgrace, as being rendered unable to pay just debts. But the Lord cares for his people in their smallest concerns. And God's grace can thus raise the stony iron heart, which is sunk into the mud of this world, and raise up affections, naturally earthly.