2 Kings 2:1

Elijah Taken to Heaven

1 Now when the LORD was about to ¹take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and ²Elisha were on their way from ³Gilgal.

2 Kings 2:1 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 2:1

And it came to pass, when the Lord would take up Elijah
into heaven by a whirlwind
Thereby lifting him up from the earth, and which, as it was the purpose and will of God, Elijah had notice of, as appears by his motions to different places, under a divine direction:

that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal,
where it seems they met, a place where the Israelites first pitched when they came over Jordan, and where the tabernacle was for some time, and was famous for religious services, see ( Joshua 4:19 ) ( 5:9 ) .

2 Kings 2:1 In-Context

1 Now when the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal.

2 And Elijah said to Elisha, "Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me as far as Bethel." But Elisha said, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So they went down to Bethel.

3 And the sons of the prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, "Do you know that today the LORD will take away your master from over you?" And he said, "Yes, I know it; keep quiet."

4 Elijah said to him, "Elisha, please stay here, for the LORD has sent me to Jericho." But he said, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So they came to Jericho.

5 The sons of the prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha and said to him, "Do you know that today the LORD will take away your master from over you?" And he answered, "Yes, I know it; keep quiet."

Cross References

• 1. [Genesis 5:24]
• 2. See 1 Kings 19:19-21
• 3. 2 Kings 4:38; [Joshua 5:9]