The sons of the prophets said, “The place where we live with you is too small for us. Let us go to the Jordan and each of us take a beam from there, and build a place to live.” Elisha said, “Go! I will go with you.” And when they came to Jordan, each cut down a tree. But when one of them cut down a tree, the ax fell into the water and he cried, “Alas, for it was a borrowed ax!” Elisa asked, “Where did it fall?” He cut off a stick and pushed it into the water. The ax floated to the surface and Elisha said, “Take it out!” And he took it out.
The king of Aram was at war with Israel. He took counsel with his captains to set up ambushes. The man of God sent word to the king of Israel to be aware of and to avoid this place. The king was saved out of trouble several times, so the king of Aram was very troubled about this and asked his captains, “Will you not tell me which of you is with the king of Israel?” They said, “It is Elisha, the prophet in Israel, who knows everything, even what you speak in your bedroom.” The king said, “Go and see where he is, that I may get him.” And they told him that he was in Dothan. So he sent horses and chariots and a great army. They came by night and surrounded the city. Elisha’s servant woke up early and discovered the siege and lamented, “Alas, master, what shall we do?” But Elisha answered, “Fear not, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Elisha prayed to the Lord to allow him see this. The Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he saw that the mountain was filled with horses and chariots around Elisha. When the Arameans came down to him, the Lord struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked. And Elisha said to them, “This is not the way and this is not the city. Follow me and I will bring you to the man you seek.” He led them to Samaria. Then Elisha prayed to the Lord to open their eyes. And they saw that they were in the middle of Samaria. The king of Israel saw them and said to Elisha, “My father, shall I kill them?” “No,” he said, “will you kill those you have captured with sword and bow? Put bread and water before and let them return to their master.” And after they ate and drank, he sent them away, and they never came into the land again.