Matthew Henry Commentary 2 Kings 6:1-7

"And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell before thee is too strait for us. Let us go, we pray thee, unto the 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. And one said, Be pleased, I pray thee, to go with thy servants. And he answered, I will go. So he went with them. And when they came to the Jordan, they cut down wood. But as one was felling a beam, the axe-head fell into the water; and he cried, and said, Alas, my master! for it was borrowed. And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he showed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither, and made the iron to swim. And he said, Take it up to thee. So he put out his hand, and took it." — 2 Kings 6:1-7 (ASV)

There is a certain pleasantness in the conversation of God's servants, which can make those who listen to them forget the pain and weariness of labour. Even the sons of the prophets must not be unwilling to labour. Let no one think honest employment a burden or a disgrace. And labour of the head is as hard as, and very often harder than, labour with the hands.

We ought to be as careful with what is borrowed as with our own possessions, because we must do as we would be done by. This man, accordingly, was very careful with the axe-head. And for those who have an honest mind, the greatest grievance of poverty is not so much their own want and disgrace, as being made unable to pay their 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 that are naturally earthly.