These two chapters begin with a miracle of the Lord that was done through Elisha. A company of prophets had grown so large, that they needed to build a bigger place to meet with Elisha, so they asked him to come with them to the Jordan River so they could cut a pole and build a bigger place to live. While doing so, one of the men who had borrowed an iron ax, was chopping, and the ax head fell into the water. He cried out to Elisha to help, and he asked where it went into the water. Elisha cut a stick and threw it into the water, and the ax head floated to the top, and the man grabbed it.

The story then switched to a plot of the king of Aram to attack Israel, but the Lord thwarted his plans by revealing to Elisha where he was going to attack. It happened so many times that the king thought he had a mole in his midst, but the men found out that it was because of Elisha of Israel. They found out Elisha was in Dothan, so they surrounded the city one night, and the next morning, Elisha's servant was fearful due to the mighty army. Elisha responded, "Don't be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them" (vs. 16). Elisha prayed his servant's eyes would open, and he then saw the horses and chariots of fire which surrounded Elisha. He then prayed that the Aramean's eyes would be blinded, and he led them to the king of Israel. The king did not know what to do, so Elisha told him not to kill them but feed them and send them on their way back to their master. There was peace for a while, but then Ben-Hadad brought his entire army and laid siege to Israel's capital, Samaria. It lasted so long that the people were starving to death. There was even a case of cannibalism brought to his attention. At this, the king tore his robes, and went after Elisha, who knew he was coming. He said, that by this time tomorrow, there would be plenty of food, and the king's officer said, "Look, even if the Lord should open the floodgates of the heavens, could this happen?" Well the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of many chariots and horses, and they thought reinforcements were coming with the Hittites and Egyptians, so they ran in fear for their lives and left all they had in their camps. Four lepers who were at the city gate, decided that it would be better to get out of the city and go to the Arameans, because maybe if they surrender, their lives would be spared. When they got into the camp, they saw it was empty of people, but full of goods, so they raided the place, until they felt guilty and decided to tell the king. The king sent out men to check it out, and they found it as the men said. Once the people found out they were free and all that food was outside, they rushed out of the city gate and trampled the man who doubted Elisha. He saw it, but he never tasted it.