2 Kings 2

2 Kings 2:1

WHen the Lord would] When the time that the LORD had appointed for that purpose.

take up] As v. 11.

with Elisha] Who fllowed him as an attendant, 1 Kings 19:21.

Gilgal] The situation of this place is set down, Joshua 4:19. And the reason of the name, Joshua 5:9.

2 Kings 2:2

Tarry] To try whether he would leave him, or no: and to stir up in him a more earnest desire, and diligent care of following him (as Luke 24:28.) that he might be a witnesse of his rapture.

Beth-el] See 1 Kings 12:29.

As the Lord liveth] See 1 Kings 1:29.

and as thy soul liveth] This is added as a strong asseveration, the rather because it was sensibly evident, that his soul lived, and because he was resolved, so long as it was so, not to leave him. That the same phrase may be applied to different things, in different respects, and that together, is evident, Exodus 14:31. See 1 Samuel 20:3. and 1 Samuel 25:26.

2 Kings 2:3

sons of the prophets] See 1 Kings 18:4.

Kowest thou, &c.] The LORD had before-hand made known how he meant to take away Elijah.

from thy head] From being over thee as an instructer and governour. The chiefer and elder prophets in their colledges sate as doctors, in high seats, over the heads of their disciples (Nehemiah 8:5.) who sate at their feet, Acts 22:3.

hold your peace] I need not be instructed by you therein; therefore trouble me not with any discourse thereabouts.

2 Kings 2:4

Jericho] In the tribe of Benjamin, Joshua 18:21. though the first ruined city were accursed (see 1 King. 6. 34.) yet there were buildings thereabouts, and prophets trained up therein, as in Gilgal, Beth-el, and other places, wherefore Elijah, about the time of his departure, visited these places.

2 Kings 2:5

Yea, I know it] I also know it: I as well as you. For the LORD hath revealed it to me.

2 Kings 2:6

Tarry] The third time he makes the same motion to try his constancy.

2 Kings 2:7

stood to view afar off] Heb. in sight, or over against. To observe in what manner Elijah should be taken away.

they two] Elijah and Elisha.

2 Kings 2:8

his mantle] That upper garment which he used to wear, and whereby he was known to be Elijah, chap. 1. 1. and with which he covered his face, 1 Kings 19:13.

wrapt it together] That he might use it the more easily.

smote the waters] A means was used to shew that that great work was done not casually, but by his ministery: and so unlikely means to shew that a divine power accompanied the means: so Exodus 14:21.

hither and thither] Some one way, some another: as Exodus 14:21-22.

dry ground] As Exod: 14. 22. Joshua 3:17.

2 Kings 2:9

Ask &c.] This offer Elijah made by divine instinct. It is like, 1 Kings 3:5.

I shall do] As Gods instrument and minister: so Acts 8:17.

a double portion of thy spirit] Heb. a mouth (or a portion) of two in thy spirit. That phrase is oft used for a double portion, or two parts, as Deuteronomy 21:17. Zechariah 13:8. Elisha being to succeed his master, and to be the head of the prophets, desireth that (as the first-born had a double portion above any of his other brethren) he may have a double portion above the other prophets or the two parts of Elijahs spirit, which were to foretell things to come, and to work miracles: or if it be taken for the doubling of Elijahs gifts on him, then it implieth, an holy, earnest, unsatisfied desire of promoting Gods glory, and doing good to Gods people, even above his master that excelled therein: as 1 Corinthians 12:31. and 1 Corinthians 14:12.

2 Kings 2:10

Thou hast asked an hard thing] Heb. Thou hast done hard in asking. A rare and difficult thing: such as none but God can grant. So Daniel 2:11.

If thou see, &c.] This is a sign to assure him that his desire should be granted.

If not, &c.] This is added to make him more heedfull in observing the manner of Elijahs departure, that he might be an eye witnesse thereof, as Acts 1:10.

2 Kings 2:11

they still went on, and talked] Heb. they went going and talking.

a charet of fire, &c.] A fiery apparition in shape like horses drawing a charet, as chap. 6. 17. A charet is a fit means to carry a man from place to place: and horss use to draw a charet: Therefore Gods Angels that carried up Elijah are thus set out: and all fiery, for the greater glory and brightnesse: but such a fire, as Exodus 3:2.

by a whirl-winde] Which carried up the charet with him in it.

into heaven] In his body and soul, so as (like Enoch, Hebrews 11:5.) he never died. This rapture was a type of Christs ascension, Mark 16:19.

2 Kings 2:12

he cryed] Earnestly prayed to have the promise accomplished, 1 Kings 22:32.

My father] A title of excellency and superiority: doubled, in testimony of his true and hearty acknowledgement thereof. See chap. 5. 13. chap. 13. 14.

the charet, &c.] He so stiles him in allusion to the manner of his rapture: and to shew that he was a better defence to Israel, then horse-men and charets could be: in acknowledgement hereof a king of Israel so stiles Elisha, chapter 13. vers. 14.

he saw him no more] Being carried into heaven, Acts 1:3.

rent them] An ancient, usuall expression of grief and astonishment, Genesis 37:29; Genesis 37:34. See 1 Kings 21:27.

2 Kings 2:13

the mantle] To keep it in memory of his master.

hank] Heb. lip.

2 Kings 2:14

smote the waters] In imitation of his master, vers. 8. and to try whither his desire of a double spirit were granted, or no.

Where is the Lord, &c.] That God which wrought wonders by Elijah, to work by me now as he did before by Elijah. These are words, not of diffidence, but of earnest desire of experimentall proof.

smitten, &c.] As v. 8.

2 Kings 2:15

to view at Jericho] Verse 7.

spirit of Elijah] Such power of Gods spirit as was manifested in, and by the ministery of Elijah.

bowed] In a civill manner acknowledging him to be now their father and master, as Elijah was before. See chapter 4. 37.

2 Kings 2:16

thy servants] A phrase of subjection to him.

strong men] Heb. sons of strength.

thy master] They thought that he might be carried from place to place, as 1 Kings 18:12.

some mountain] Heb one of the mountains.

Ye shall not send] For he knew that Elijahs body and soul were both in heaven.

2 Kings 2:17

ashamed] That he should seem inexorable: or that they should be without cause importunate.

Send] That they might by experience see their errour: and be more fully assured of his ascent into heaven. See Matthew 11:2.

2 Kings 2:18

at Jericho] Till the fifty men returned.

2 Kings 2:19

the city] Jericho.

raught] Unwholesome. See the notes on Numbers 13:20.

barren] Heb. causing to miscarry. The fruit thereof grows not to maturity. Or it is noxious: so as many perish thereon.

2 Kings 2:20

salt] This may seem to be a most unlikely means. See Judg. 9. 45.

2 Kings 2:21

I have healed] The blessing on means cometh from the LORD.

barren] As v. 19.

2 Kings 2:22

unto this day] Wherein this history was written: which was many yeers after this fact. See the Argument on this book. This phrase implieth a lon, i not a perpetuall time.

2 Kings 2:23

children] Of the idolters that lived in that city.

mocked him] In contempt of his person, being bald-headed: and of his office, being a prophet of the LORD.

2 Kings 2:24

in the name of the Lord] By divine instinct, and by commission from the LORD: not on a revengefull minde in his own cause, but to the glory of God, and withall calling upon God. See 2 Chro. 14. 11.

2 Kings 2:25

from thence] He went up and down from place to place, partly to avoid danger, but principally to do the more good.

to Samaria] It may be that Elisha foreseeing that the three kings would have occasion to use him, and his ministery (as they did, chap. 3. 12.) went thither purposely. Or God by his secret providence might direct his journey thither for that end.