The sons of the prophets explained to Elisha that his way was too restrictive and told him they would go to Jordan to create a more relaxed space where they could live. Elisha told them to go ahead and go. What happens next is the most important part of the miracle of the floating axe.
The best leaders know when to follow and when Elijah was invited to go with these young men he answered, “I will go.” If Elijah had allowed the authority of his position to get the best of him, if he had not been humble, he would not have been with the sons of the prophets when they needed his help.
Elisha was known to be gentle and affectionate. His heart was open and he was able to recognize that the sons of the prophets needed a different style of teaching/living. We are not all created equal but rather possess different qualities which require a unique set of circumstances. The miracle of floating axed occurred only because the performer of the miracle was humble enough to be where he was needed most.
2 Kings 6
1 And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us.
2 Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan, and take thence every man a beam, and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell. And he answered, Go ye.
3 And one said, Be content, I pray thee, and go with thy servants. And he answered, I will go.
4 So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood.
5 But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed.
6 And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim.
7 Therefore said he, Take it up to thee. And he put out his hand, and took it.
1 And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us.
2 Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan, and take thence every man a beam, and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell. And he answered, Go ye.
3 And one said, Be content, I pray thee, and go with thy servants. And he answered, I will go.
4 So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood.
5 But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed.
6 And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim.
7 Therefore said he, Take it up to thee. And he put out his hand, and took it.
