II Kings 2 Commentary
And it came to pass, when the Lord would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.
And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to Beth–el. And Elisha said unto him, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Beth–el.
And the sons of the prophets that were at Beth–el came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Lord will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.
And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho.
And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Lord will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.
And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the Lord hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on.
And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan.
And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.
And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.
And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.
And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.
He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan;
And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the Lord God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.
And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.
And they said unto him, Behold now, there be with thy servants fifty strong men; let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master: lest peradventure the Spirit of the Lord hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, Ye shall not send.
And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not.
And when they came again to him, (for he tarried at Jericho,) he said unto them, Did I not say unto you, Go not?
And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is naught, and the ground barren.
And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they brought it to him.
And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the Lord, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land.
So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake.
And he went up from thence unto Beth–el: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.
And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.
And he went from thence to mount Carmel, and from thence he returned to Samaria.
II Kings 2 marks a pivotal transition in Israel's prophetic leadership, showcasing both the extraordinary departure of Elijah and the divine empowerment of his successor, Elisha. This chapter is rich in spiritual significance, demonstrating God's faithfulness, the importance of commitment, and the transfer of spiritual authority.
Elijah's Ascension and Elisha's Commitment (II Kings 2:1-7)
As foreshadowed in the previous chapter, the time had come for Elijah to be taken up to heaven (II Kings 2:1). He was not losing his power, but rather passing the mantle of prophetic leadership to Elisha. Elisha, chosen by God as Elijah's helper and successor (see I Kings 19:16, 19-21), understood this transition.
The narrative unfolds as Elijah and Elisha journey together, with Elijah repeatedly suggesting that Elisha remain behind in Gilgal, Bethel, and Jericho (II Kings 2:2, 2:4, 2:6). Each location held historical significance, representing places where God's power had been demonstrated. It appears Elijah sought to reinforce Elisha's faith by revisiting these sites, reminding him of God's past faithfulness and power. Was this also a test of Elisha's commitment? Elijah knew his departure was imminent and that Elisha was to succeed him. Perhaps he was testing Elisha's readiness to embrace his divine calling.
Elisha's unwavering response, "As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you," (II Kings 2:2, 2:4, 2:6) demonstrates his steadfast dedication and willingness to accept the mantle of leadership. In Bethel and Jericho, they encountered groups referred to as "sons of the prophets." This phrase likely refers to students or members of prophetic schools—training centers for future prophets (II Kings 2:3, 2:5). These groups, possessing divine insight, were aware of Elijah's impending departure and questioned Elisha about it. Elisha, perhaps filled with sorrow, simply told them to be quiet.
Finally, near the Jordan River, fifty men from the sons of the prophets joined them, aware of Elijah's impending departure and wanting to bid farewell to this faithful prophet (II Kings 2:7). They also served as witnesses to the transfer of prophetic authority.
The Parting of the Jordan and Elisha's Request (II Kings 2:8-10)
Elijah then performed his final miracle: parting the Jordan River with his mantle, a sleeveless outer garment, allowing them to cross on dry ground (II Kings 2:8). This act mirrored the earlier miracles performed by Moses and Joshua, highlighting Elijah's significant role in Israel's history.
Upon crossing the Jordan, Elijah offered Elisha a final opportunity to make a request (II Kings 2:9). Elisha boldly asked for "a double portion of your spirit." This wasn't a random request; Elisha was likely referencing Deuteronomy 21:17, where the firstborn son is entitled to a double share of the inheritance. Knowing that God had appointed him as Elijah's successor (I Kings 19:16), Elisha recognized Elijah as his spiritual "father" (II Kings 2:12) and himself as his heir. He understood the immense responsibility that lay ahead and the need for extraordinary divine enablement.
Elijah clarified that granting this request wasn't within his power (II Kings 2:10). He stated that if Elisha witnessed Elijah being taken away by God, his request would be granted. This condition emphasized the importance of faith and divine confirmation in the transfer of spiritual authority.
Elijah's Ascension and Elisha's Inheritance (II Kings 2:11-14)
As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire suddenly appeared, separating the two men. Elijah ascended into heaven in a whirlwind (II Kings 2:11). This dramatic departure highlights the unique nature of Elijah's exit from earthly life, distinct from the common experience of death.
Elisha witnessed this extraordinary event and cried out, "My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" (II Kings 2:12). This lament reveals Elisha's grief at the loss of his mentor and his recognition of Elijah's true value to Israel. He saw Elijah as more powerful than any army, acknowledging that Israel's true strength lay not in military might but in the faithful delivery of God's word.
After Elijah's departure, Elisha picked up Elijah's fallen mantle, the symbol of his prophetic authority (II Kings 2:13). Demonstrating his faith in the same God who empowered Elijah, Elisha struck the Jordan River with the mantle, proclaiming, "Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?" (II Kings 2:14). The waters parted, just as they had for Elijah, confirming that the Lord's power now rested upon Elisha. The power wasn’t in him, nor was it in the garment. It was in the LORD God.
Confirmation of Elisha's Authority (II Kings 2:15-25)
The sons of the prophets from Jericho witnessed this miracle and recognized the transfer of authority to Elisha, showing him deference (II Kings 2:15). However, they were still unsure about Elijah's fate and requested permission to search for him, perhaps believing he might have been deposited somewhere after his supernatural flight (II Kings 2:16). Elisha initially refused, knowing Elijah was truly gone. But, after persistent urging, he relented, and they searched without success (II Kings 2:17-18). Elijah wouldn't be seen again until centuries later when he appeared with Moses on the Mount of Transfiguration, conversing with Jesus (Matthew 17:1-3).
To further solidify his prophetic authority, Elisha performed two significant miracles: healing the polluted water of Jericho and cursing the young men who mocked him (II Kings 2:19-25). The healing of the water demonstrated Elisha's power to bring blessing and restoration (II Kings 2:19-22). The incident with the young men who jeered at Elisha, calling him "Go up, you baldy!" (II Kings 2:23), reveals a deeper issue of disrespect towards God's appointed prophet and, ultimately, towards God himself. Their mocking words implied a desire for Elisha to disappear as Elijah had.
The severe judgment that followed, with two bears attacking the young men, serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of rejecting God's authority and mocking His representatives (II Kings 2:24). While the severity of the punishment may seem unsettling, it's important to remember God's covenant warnings in Leviticus 26:21-22, where He promised to send wild animals against those who were hostile towards Him. Ultimately, this scene also highlights the importance of godly parenting and the responsibility to lead children to respect God and His messengers. Leading children away from Him is disastrous for both parents and their offspring.
II Kings 2 powerfully illustrates the transition of prophetic leadership from Elijah to Elisha. It underscores the importance of unwavering commitment to God's calling, the reality of divine power, and the consequences of rejecting God's authority. This chapter offers valuable lessons for believers today, encouraging us to seek God's empowerment, honor His chosen leaders, and live with reverence for His holy name.
And it came to pass, when the Lord would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.
And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to Beth–el. And Elisha said unto him, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Beth–el.
And the sons of the prophets that were at Beth–el came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Lord will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.
And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho.
And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Lord will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.
And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the Lord hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on.
And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan.
And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.
And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.
And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.
And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.
He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan;
And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the Lord God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.
And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.
And they said unto him, Behold now, there be with thy servants fifty strong men; let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master: lest peradventure the Spirit of the Lord hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, Ye shall not send.
And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not.
And when they came again to him, (for he tarried at Jericho,) he said unto them, Did I not say unto you, Go not?
And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is naught, and the ground barren.
And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they brought it to him.
And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the Lord, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land.
So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake.
And he went up from thence unto Beth–el: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.
And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.
And he went from thence to mount Carmel, and from thence he returned to Samaria.
II Kings 2 marks a pivotal transition in Israel's prophetic leadership, showcasing both the extraordinary departure of Elijah and the divine empowerment of his successor, Elisha. This chapter is rich in spiritual significance, demonstrating God's faithfulness, the importance of commitment, and the transfer of spiritual authority.
Elijah's Ascension and Elisha's Commitment (II Kings 2:1-7)
As foreshadowed in the previous chapter, the time had come for Elijah to be taken up to heaven (II Kings 2:1). He was not losing his power, but rather passing the mantle of prophetic leadership to Elisha. Elisha, chosen by God as Elijah's helper and successor (see I Kings 19:16, 19-21), understood this transition.
The narrative unfolds as Elijah and Elisha journey together, with Elijah repeatedly suggesting that Elisha remain behind in Gilgal, Bethel, and Jericho (II Kings 2:2, 2:4, 2:6). Each location held historical significance, representing places where God's power had been demonstrated. It appears Elijah sought to reinforce Elisha's faith by revisiting these sites, reminding him of God's past faithfulness and power. Was this also a test of Elisha's commitment? Elijah knew his departure was imminent and that Elisha was to succeed him. Perhaps he was testing Elisha's readiness to embrace his divine calling.
Elisha's unwavering response, "As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you," (II Kings 2:2, 2:4, 2:6) demonstrates his steadfast dedication and willingness to accept the mantle of leadership. In Bethel and Jericho, they encountered groups referred to as "sons of the prophets." This phrase likely refers to students or members of prophetic schools—training centers for future prophets (II Kings 2:3, 2:5). These groups, possessing divine insight, were aware of Elijah's impending departure and questioned Elisha about it. Elisha, perhaps filled with sorrow, simply told them to be quiet.
Finally, near the Jordan River, fifty men from the sons of the prophets joined them, aware of Elijah's impending departure and wanting to bid farewell to this faithful prophet (II Kings 2:7). They also served as witnesses to the transfer of prophetic authority.
The Parting of the Jordan and Elisha's Request (II Kings 2:8-10)
Elijah then performed his final miracle: parting the Jordan River with his mantle, a sleeveless outer garment, allowing them to cross on dry ground (II Kings 2:8). This act mirrored the earlier miracles performed by Moses and Joshua, highlighting Elijah's significant role in Israel's history.
Upon crossing the Jordan, Elijah offered Elisha a final opportunity to make a request (II Kings 2:9). Elisha boldly asked for "a double portion of your spirit." This wasn't a random request; Elisha was likely referencing Deuteronomy 21:17, where the firstborn son is entitled to a double share of the inheritance. Knowing that God had appointed him as Elijah's successor (I Kings 19:16), Elisha recognized Elijah as his spiritual "father" (II Kings 2:12) and himself as his heir. He understood the immense responsibility that lay ahead and the need for extraordinary divine enablement.
Elijah clarified that granting this request wasn't within his power (II Kings 2:10). He stated that if Elisha witnessed Elijah being taken away by God, his request would be granted. This condition emphasized the importance of faith and divine confirmation in the transfer of spiritual authority.
Elijah's Ascension and Elisha's Inheritance (II Kings 2:11-14)
As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire suddenly appeared, separating the two men. Elijah ascended into heaven in a whirlwind (II Kings 2:11). This dramatic departure highlights the unique nature of Elijah's exit from earthly life, distinct from the common experience of death.
Elisha witnessed this extraordinary event and cried out, "My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" (II Kings 2:12). This lament reveals Elisha's grief at the loss of his mentor and his recognition of Elijah's true value to Israel. He saw Elijah as more powerful than any army, acknowledging that Israel's true strength lay not in military might but in the faithful delivery of God's word.
After Elijah's departure, Elisha picked up Elijah's fallen mantle, the symbol of his prophetic authority (II Kings 2:13). Demonstrating his faith in the same God who empowered Elijah, Elisha struck the Jordan River with the mantle, proclaiming, "Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?" (II Kings 2:14). The waters parted, just as they had for Elijah, confirming that the Lord's power now rested upon Elisha. The power wasn’t in him, nor was it in the garment. It was in the LORD God.
Confirmation of Elisha's Authority (II Kings 2:15-25)
The sons of the prophets from Jericho witnessed this miracle and recognized the transfer of authority to Elisha, showing him deference (II Kings 2:15). However, they were still unsure about Elijah's fate and requested permission to search for him, perhaps believing he might have been deposited somewhere after his supernatural flight (II Kings 2:16). Elisha initially refused, knowing Elijah was truly gone. But, after persistent urging, he relented, and they searched without success (II Kings 2:17-18). Elijah wouldn't be seen again until centuries later when he appeared with Moses on the Mount of Transfiguration, conversing with Jesus (Matthew 17:1-3).
To further solidify his prophetic authority, Elisha performed two significant miracles: healing the polluted water of Jericho and cursing the young men who mocked him (II Kings 2:19-25). The healing of the water demonstrated Elisha's power to bring blessing and restoration (II Kings 2:19-22). The incident with the young men who jeered at Elisha, calling him "Go up, you baldy!" (II Kings 2:23), reveals a deeper issue of disrespect towards God's appointed prophet and, ultimately, towards God himself. Their mocking words implied a desire for Elisha to disappear as Elijah had.
The severe judgment that followed, with two bears attacking the young men, serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of rejecting God's authority and mocking His representatives (II Kings 2:24). While the severity of the punishment may seem unsettling, it's important to remember God's covenant warnings in Leviticus 26:21-22, where He promised to send wild animals against those who were hostile towards Him. Ultimately, this scene also highlights the importance of godly parenting and the responsibility to lead children to respect God and His messengers. Leading children away from Him is disastrous for both parents and their offspring.
II Kings 2 powerfully illustrates the transition of prophetic leadership from Elijah to Elisha. It underscores the importance of unwavering commitment to God's calling, the reality of divine power, and the consequences of rejecting God's authority. This chapter offers valuable lessons for believers today, encouraging us to seek God's empowerment, honor His chosen leaders, and live with reverence for His holy name.