1. One day the prophets said to Elisha, “The place where we meet with you is too small.
2. Why don't we build a new meeting place near the River Jordan? Each of us could get some wood, then we could build it.”“That's a good idea,” Elisha replied, “get started.”
3. “Aren't you going with us?” one of the prophets asked.“Yes, I'll go,” Elisha answered,
4. and he left with them.They went to the River Jordan and began chopping down trees.
5. While one of the prophets was working, his axe head fell off and dropped into the water. “Oh!” he shouted. “Sir, I borrowed this axe.”
6. “Where did it fall in?” Elisha asked. The prophet pointed to the place, and Elisha cut a stick and threw it into the water at that spot. The axe head floated to the top of the water.
7. “Now get it,” Elisha told him. And the prophet reached in and grabbed it.
8. Time after time, when the king of Syria was at war against the Israelites, he met with his officers and announced, “I've decided where we will set up camp.”
9. Each time, Elisha would send this warning to the king of Israel: “Don't go near there. That's where the Syrian troops have set up camp.”
10. So the king would warn the Israelite troops in that place to be on guard.
11. The king of Syria was furious when he found out what was happening. He called in his officers and asked, “Which one of you has been telling the king of Israel our plans?”
12. “None of us, Your Majesty,” one of them answered. “It's an Israelite named Elisha. He's a prophet, so he can tell his king everything—even what you say in your own room.”
13. “Find out where he is!” the king ordered. “I'll send soldiers to bring him here.”They learnt that Elisha was in the town of Dothan and reported it to the king.
14. He ordered his best troops to go there with horses and chariots. They marched out during the night and surrounded the town.
15. When Elisha's servant got up the next morning, he saw that Syrian troops had the town surrounded. “Sir, what are we going to do?” he asked.