Elisha and the Floating Ax Head: 3 Biblical Leadership Lessons
By Terry Porter | Life, Relationship & Leadership Coach
What can a borrowed ax teach us about leadership?
More than you might expect.
In 2 Kings 6:1–7, a group of prophets brings Elisha a practical problem: their meeting place is too small. They propose building another place near the Jordan River, invite Elisha to join them, and get to work. Then a borrowed ax head falls into the water.
God’s miraculous provision is central to the story. Alongside that miracle, we can observe choices that offer practical biblical leadership lessons: take initiative, work together, and accept responsibility for what has been entrusted to you.
These lessons apply whether you lead a business, serve at church, raise a family, or want to lead yourself more faithfully.
The Story of Elisha and the Floating Ax Head
The account begins with people noticing a need and bringing a proposal to their leader. Elisha approves their plan and agrees to accompany them.
While they are cutting trees, one man loses his ax head in the river. His concern is immediate: the ax was borrowed.
Elisha asks where it fell, throws a stick into the water at that spot, and the iron floats. He then tells the man to retrieve it, and the man reaches out and takes it.
Read the full account in 2 Kings 6:1–7.
This passage describes a particular miracle; it does not promise that God will miraculously reverse every mistake or loss. Its account of people working, asking for help, and responding to God’s provision gives us much to consider.
1. Take Initiative: Bring a Helpful Proposal
The prophets do more than point out that their space is inadequate. They suggest a way forward and offer to do the work.
That is a useful leadership habit: notice a need, consider a solution, and take an appropriate next step.
At work, that might mean bringing your supervisor a suggestion for improving a confusing process. At home, it might mean noticing that your spouse is overwhelmed and offering to take ownership of a recurring responsibility. At church, it might mean volunteering to help address a need rather than waiting for someone else to act.
Initiative also requires judgment. The prophets bring their proposal to Elisha; they do not simply disregard his leadership. Taking responsibility includes communicating with the people affected and seeking approval when appropriate.
Put it into practice: Identify one problem you have repeatedly discussed. Write down:
- The need you see.
- One realistic solution.
- The part you are willing to own.
- Whose input or approval you need.
Then take the next step.
2. Work Together: Share the Work and Welcome Help
The prophets propose a shared project. They also ask Elisha to come with them.
Their invitation offers a helpful picture of teamwork: people contributing effort while welcoming guidance and support.
In coaching, I often encourage leaders to consider whether they have made responsibilities clear enough for others to participate. A shared goal becomes more workable when people understand what they are doing, who owns each responsibility, and how to ask for help.
Consider a couple trying to manage a busy household. “We need to communicate better” expresses a desire. Agreeing on who handles school transportation, who plans meals, and when to review the week gives that desire a practical structure.
The same principle applies to a ministry team or business. Shared ownership requires clear expectations and follow-through.
Put it into practice: Before your next shared project, ask:
- What are we trying to accomplish?
- Who is responsible for each part?
- What support does each person need?
- When will we check on progress?
Make room for questions and concerns before frustration builds.
3. Manage Resources Responsibly: Speak Up When Something Goes Wrong
The man’s concern about the borrowed ax matters. The tool belonged to someone else, and losing it created a responsibility he could not ignore.
The passage does not tell us that he was careless or explain his financial circumstances. What it does show is that he speaks up and identifies where the loss occurred.
That response offers an important leadership application: when something goes wrong, tell the truth and participate in addressing it.
Resources entrusted to us include money, equipment, time, confidential information, and commitments. People also place trust in how we use our authority and keep our word.
Responsibility might sound like:
“I missed the deadline. Here is what happened, and here is my plan to address it.”
Or:
“I agreed to more than I can deliver. I need to discuss that honestly before it creates a larger problem.”
After the miracle, the man still reaches out and retrieves the ax head. We can take encouragement from that final action: receiving help and taking responsibility belong together.
Put it into practice: Ask yourself, “What has been entrusted to me, and is there anything I need to acknowledge, repair, return, or complete?”
Choose one concrete action.
Which Leadership Lesson Will You Practice?
You do not need a new title to practice leadership today.
You can notice a need and offer a solution. You can clarify responsibilities and invite help. You can tell the truth when something goes wrong and take the next responsible step.
Which of these three lessons do you most need right now?
Choose one action to take this week—and consider asking a trusted person to follow up with you.
Put These Leadership Lessons Into Practice With Coaching
Knowing what to do and consistently following through can be two different challenges.
If you want help strengthening communication, setting healthy boundaries, sharing responsibility, or leading with greater clarity, I would welcome the opportunity to work with you.
I offer life, relationship, and leadership coaching in Traverse City, Michigan, and online through Zoom.
Schedule a free consultation with Terry Porter to discuss your goals and explore whether coaching is a good fit.
About Terry Porter
Terry Porter is a Life, Relationship & Leadership Coach based in Traverse City, Michigan. He is a Professional Certified Coach through the International Coaching Federation and holds a master’s degree in Executive Coaching and Organizational Consulting from the Townsend Institute. Drawing on more than 20 years of pastoral experience, Terry combines biblical wisdom with practical coaching tools to help individuals, couples, and leaders strengthen relationships and take greater ownership of their lives.
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