2 Kings 2

2 Kings 2:1

B. The Translation of Elijah (2:1-12a) This chapter opens with the saintly Elijah being “taken up” (vv. 1-11) and closes with the hooligans of Bethel being “torn up” (vv. 23-25). 2:1-6 The time had now come for Elijah to finish his ministry and for Elisha to succeed him. But first Elijah must visit Bethel, Jericho, and Jordan. Elisha faithfully insisted on going with him to these places. In Bethel and Jericho, the sons of the prophets told Elisha that the LORD was going to take Elijah “away from his head” that day. This refers to the practice of a disciple sitting at his master’s feet; in such an arrangement, the master was at the disciple’s head, of course. Elisha already knew this and told the prophets to “keep silent!” The matter was too sad and sacred to discuss. 2:7-9 From Jericho, Elijah and Elisha went down to the Jordan River, followed . . . at a distance by fifty of the . . . prophets. When Elijah . . . struck the Jordan with his mantle, the waters divided and the two men crossed over on dry land. Elijah had come from Gilead, east of the Jordan, during the reign of Ahab, to begin his prophetic work (1Ki_17:1). Now at the close of his ministry he crossed back over Jordan to be taken up into heaven. Encouraged by the departing prophet to make a request, Elisha asked for a double portion of his spirit. The double portion is the right of the firstborn son and may simply mean here that Elisha wanted to be his worthy successor. Williams says that the fulfillment of the request is seen in the fact that, whereas Elijah performed eight recorded miracles, Elisha performed sixteen. 2:10-12a Elijah said that it was not in his power to grant the request, then added a condition that was also beyond his control: If Elisha would see him depart, then his request would be granted. As they walked on and talked, they were separated by a chariot of fire . . . with horses of fire. Then a whirlwind caught Elijah . . . up . . . into heaven in full view of Elisha. Elisha . . . cried out, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!” This may indicate that Elijah was the strongest weapon of God’s power and the best defense of Israel.

2 Kings 2:12

C. The Beginning of Elisha’s Ministry (2:12b-25)2:12b-14 After tearing apart his own clothes in grief, Elisha returned to the east bank of the Jordan, struck the water with Elijah’s mantle, and said, “Where is the LORD God of Elijah?” This question did not express doubt or unbelief but merely afforded opportunity for God to show that He was with Elisha as He had been with Elijah. The waters divided, permitting the prophet to return to the west bank of the river, where the fifty sons of the prophets had been waiting and watching. 2:15-18 After seeing the parting of the Jordan, they acknowledged that Elisha was truly the successor of Elijah. Against Elisha’s better judgment they insisted on sending out a party to search for Elijah, but the trip was in vain, of course, as Elisha had warned. Either they had not witnessed Elijah’s translation, or, if they had, they thought his absence was temporary. 2:19-22 The ministry of Elisha from this point to 13:20 consists of a series of miracles designed to turn the nation of Israel away from idolatry to the true and living God. The incidents are not necessarily in chronological order. The first of these miracles occurred when Elisha threw salt into the brackish water in the fountain at Jericho; never again did it cause death or barrenness. 2:23, 24 En route from Jericho to Bethel, one of the centers of calf worship, Elisha was met by some rowdy youths who called him a baldhead and mockingly challenged him to go up to heaven as Elijah had done. After he cursed them in the name of the LORD, two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of them. An insult to God’s messenger is an insult to God Himself. 2:25 Elisha retraced Elijah’s steps, going to the schools of the prophets in Jericho and Bethel before traveling to Mount Carmel and Samaria. At Jericho the people treated him respectfully and received a blessing. Because of their irreverence for Jehovah, the young people at Bethel treated him shamefully, for which they received a curse.