2 Kings 2:8-18

8 Elijah 1took his mantle and folded it together and 2struck the waters, and they were divided here and there, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground.
9 When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you." And Elisha said, "Please, let a 3double portion of your spirit be upon me."
10 He said, "You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you 4see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so."
11 As they were going along and talking, behold, there appeared 5a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven.
12 Elisha saw it and cried out, "6My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" And he saw Elijah no more. Then 7he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.
13 He also took up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and returned and stood by the bank of the Jordan.
14 He took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and struck the waters and said, "Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?" And when he also had 8struck the waters, they were divided here and there; and Elisha crossed over.

Elisha Succeeds Elijah

15 Now when 9the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho opposite * him saw him, they said, "The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha." And they came to meet him and bowed themselves to the ground before him.
16 They said to him, "Behold now, there are with your servants fifty strong men, please let them go and search for your master; perhaps 10the Spirit of the LORD has taken him up and cast him on some mountain or into some valley." And he said, "You shall not send."
17 But when 11they urged him until he was ashamed, he said, "Send." They sent therefore fifty men; and they searched three days but did not find him.
18 They returned to him while he was staying at Jericho; and he said to them, "Did I not say to you, 'Do not go '?"

2 Kings 2:8-18 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 2 KINGS 2

This chapter relates, how that Elisha accompanied Elijah to several places, and on the other side Jordan Elijah was taken up from him to heaven, which occasioned great lamentation in him, 2Ki 2:1-12, but having the mantle of Elijah, he divided the waters of Jordan, and passed over, 2Ki 2:13,14, and the sons of the prophets at Jericho, perceiving the spirit of Elijah on him, showed him great respect, and proposed sending men to seek his master, which they did in vain, 2Ki 2:15-18, when he healed the waters at Jericho, at the request of the men of it, 2Ki 2:19-22, and the chapter is concluded with the destruction of forty two children at Bethel by bears, who mocked him, 2Ki 2:23,24.

Cross References 11

  • 1. 1 Kings 19:13, 19
  • 2. Exodus 14:21, 22; 2 Kings 2:14
  • 3. Numbers 11:17-25; Deuteronomy 21:17
  • 4. Acts 1:10
  • 5. 2 Kings 6:17
  • 6. 2 Kings 13:14
  • 7. Genesis 37:34; Job 1:20
  • 8. 2 Kings 2:8
  • 9. 2 Kings 2:7
  • 10. 1 Kings 18:12; Acts 8:39
  • 11. 2 Kings 8:11

Footnotes 3

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