2 Kings 2:2

2 Elijah said to Elisha, "Stay here. The LORD has sent me to Bethel." But Elisha said, "I won't leave you. And that's just as sure as the LORD and you are alive." So they went down to Bethel.

2 Kings 2:2 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 2:2

And Elijah said unto Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee
Seemingly unwilling he should go with him, and be present at his assumption; which was either out of modesty, not affecting the spread of the honour and glory to be conferred upon him; or to prevent the grief of Elisha at his departure, or to try whether Elisha knew any thing of it, and what affection he had for him:

for the Lord hath sent me to Bethel;
to give some comfort and some instruction and advice to the college of prophets there:

and Elisha said unto him, as the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I
will not leave thee;
being determined to see the last of him, and to have the benefit of his company and conversation, his heavenly discourse, and instruction from him as long as he could, and in hope of receiving a blessing from him at parting:

so they went down to Bethel;
together, which, according to Bunting {h}, was six miles.

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FOOTNOTES:

F8 Travels p. 205.

2 Kings 2:2 In-Context

1 Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. The LORD was going to use a strong wind to take Elijah up to heaven.

2 Elijah said to Elisha, "Stay here. The LORD has sent me to Bethel." But Elisha said, "I won't leave you. And that's just as sure as the LORD and you are alive." So they went down to Bethel.

3 There was a company of prophets at Bethel. They came out to where Elisha was. They asked him, "Do you know what the LORD is going to do? He's going to take your master away from you today." "Yes, I know," Elisha replied. "But don't talk about it."

4 Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here, Elisha. The LORD has sent me to Jericho." Elisha replied, "I won't leave you. And that's just as sure as the LORD and you are alive." So they went to Jericho.

5 There was a company of prophets at Jericho. They went up to where Elisha was. They asked him, "Do you know what the LORD is going to do? He's going to take your master away from you today." "Yes, I know," Elisha replied. "But don't talk about it."