2 Kings 2:1-5

I. ELIJAH'S TRANSLATION AND ELISHA'S COMMISSION 2:1-15

With the dramatic translation of Elijah, the prophetic mantle fell on Elisha. Though the spectacular departure of Elijah is surely one of the most wondrous events of the Old Testament, it is described in the most matter-of-fact way. After a final visit to the prophetic schools (2 Kings 2:1-5) and his final words with Elisha (2 Kings 2:6-10), Elijah was whisked heavenward in a chariot of fire and a great whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11-12). Immediately thereafter Elisha received his commissioning as Elijah's successor (2 Kings 2:13-15).

A. ELIJAH'S FINAL VISIT TO THE PROPHETIC SCHOOLS 2:1-5

TRANSLATION

(1) And it came to pass when the LORD was about to take up Elijah in a whirlwind to heaven, that Elijah went along with Elisha from Gilgal. (2) And Elijah said unto Elisha, Stay here, I pray you, for the LORD has sent me unto Bethel. And Elisha said, As the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you. And they went down to Bethel. (3) And the sons of the prophets who were in Bethel went out unto Elisha, and they said unto him, Do you know that today the LORD will take away your master from your head? And he said, I also know that. Be silent! (4) And Elijah said to him, Elisha, stay here, I pray you, for the LORD has sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you. And they went to Jericho. (5) And the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho drew near unto Elisha, and said unto him, Do you know that today the LORD will take your master from your head? And he said, I also know. Be silent!

COMMENTS

Elijah's miraculous ascension is introduced so matter-of-factly in 2 Kings 2:1 that one must conclude that this information was generally known already to the readers for whom the Book of Kings was intended. It is the author's intention here to relate the exact details which surrounded the prophet's dramatic departure.

After his call at Abel-meholah (1 Kings 19:21), Elisha had become the constant companion and faithful attendant of Elijah. The latter had no fixed residence, but wandered from place to place as the Spirit of God led him. In the course of their travels, the prophets had arrived at Gilgal, an ancient sanctuary near Shechem (2 Kings 2:1). Three times Elijah asked his attendant to remain behind. Elijah knew his days on earth were numbered, and he wished to spend these final days in solitude.[514] Under ordinary circumstances Elisha would have complied with the request of his master. But the younger prophet had a premonition if not a revelation that Elijah would shortly be departing from the earth, and he would not allow himself to be deprived of those final hours of fellowship and instruction (2 Kings 2:2). Three times in this narrative Elisha took a double oath that he would not leave the side of Elijah.

[514] It may also be that Elijah was testing the fidelity and affection of his attendant.

From Gilgal the two men of God proceeded to Bethel, the religious capital of the Northern Kingdom. Elijah may have had many reasons for wanting to visit this important city once more before leaving this earth. He may have had instructions to give to the community of prophets who were living there; he certainly would have delivered one last warning to the inhabitants of that city. When the two entered Bethel, the sons of the prophets there called Elisha aside and warned him of what their prophetic instinct assured them was imminent. Elisha was about to lose his master from your head, i.e., from his position as teacher and master. Elisha answered these students curtly. He knew what was about to transpire without being forewarned by this band of students. Keep still, he instructed them. Such a solemn event should not be the subject of idle chatter (2 Kings 2:3).

At Bethel Elijah again put Elisha to the test, instructing him to tarry at that place. Here he would not be companionless; here there was a great work to do. God had directed the old prophet to take a second journey, down the long rugged descent from the mountains of Ephraim to the Jordan valley and the city of Jericho. But Elisha would not be turned aside. He repeated the same oath he had earlier taken, and once again the master yielded. So the two men of God came to Jericho twenty miles distant (2 Kings 2:4). Once again the sons of the prophets called Elisha aside and shared with him their prophetic premonition. Once again Elisha administered a gentle rebuke to these impetuous students (2 Kings 2:5).