2 Kings 2:2-12

2 when Eliyahu said to Elisha, "Please wait here, because ADONAI has sent me all the way to Beit-El." But Elisha said, "As ADONAI lives, and as you live, I will not leave you." So they went down to Beit-El.
3 The guild prophets of Beit-El came out to Elisha and said to him, "Do you know that ADONAI is taking your master away from you today?" "Yes, I know," he answered; "say no more."
4 Eliyahu said to him, "Elisha, please wait here, because ADONAI has sent me to Yericho." He replied, "As ADONAI lives, and as you live, I will not leave you." So they came to Yericho.
5 The guild prophets of Yericho approached Elisha and said to him, "Do you know that ADONAI is taking your master away from you today?" "Yes, I know," he answered; "say no more."
6 Eliyahu said to him, "Please wait here, because ADONAI has sent me to the Yarden." He replied, "As ADONAI lives, and as you live, I will not leave you." So the two of them went on.
7 Fifty of the guild prophets went and stood watching them from a distance, while they stood by the Yarden.
8 Then Eliyahu took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it; and the water divided itself to the left and to the right; so that they crossed on dry ground.
9 After they had crossed, Eliyahu said to Elisha, "Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken away from you." Elisha said, "Please! Let a double share of your spirit be on me!"
10 He replied, "You have requested a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, you will get what you asked for; but if not, you won't."
11 Suddenly, as they were walking on and talking, there appeared a fiery chariot with horses of fire; and as it separated the two of them from each other, Eliyahu went up into heaven in a whirlwind.
12 Elisha saw it and cried out, "My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Isra'el!" Then he lost sight of him. Seizing his clothes, he tore them in half.

2 Kings 2:2-12 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.

Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.