CHAPTER SIXTEEN THE TRANSFER OF THE PROPHETIC MANTLE 2 Kings 2:1 to 2 Kings 3:27 The opening Chapter s of 2Kings relate how the mantle of prophetic authority literally and figuratively fell on the shoulders of Elisha who for some time had been the personal servant of the great prophet Elijah. The... [ Continue Reading ]
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 fin... [ Continue Reading ]
B. ELIJAH'S FINAL WORDS WITH ELISHA 2:6-10 TRANSLATION (6) And Elijah said to him, Stay here, I pray you, for the LORD has sent me to Jordan. And he said, as the LORD lives and as your soul lives, I will not leave you. And the two of them went on. (7) And fifty men from the sons of the prophets we... [ Continue Reading ]
B. THE EXODUS OF ELIJAH 2:11-12 TRANSLATION (11) And it came to pass as they were going, walking and talking, that behold a chariot of fire and horses of fire came between the two of them, and Elijah went up in a storm into the heavens. (12) Now Elisha was observing this, and he was crying, My fat... [ Continue Reading ]
C. THE COMMISSIONING OF ELISHA 2:13-15 TRANSLATION (13) And he took up the mantle of Elijah which had fallen from upon him, and returned, and stood on the bank of the Jordan. (14) And he took the mantle of Elijah which had fallen from upon him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD, th... [ Continue Reading ]
II. ELISHA AND THE SONS OF THE PROPHETS 2:16-25 With the departure of Elijah, Elisha became the _father_ of the prophetic schools. The first official acts of the new leader of the sons of the prophets are related in the remaining verses of chapter 2. Here is recorded (1) his decision regarding a re... [ Continue Reading ]
B. THE HEALING OF THE NOXIOUS WATER 2:19-22 TRANSLATION (19) And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray you, the dwelling of the city is good as my master sees; but the waters are vile and the land miscarries. (20) And he said, Take for me a new vase, and put salt therein. And they t... [ Continue Reading ]
D. THE CURSING OF THE BETHEL YOUTHS 2:23-25 TRANSLATION (23) And he went up from there to Bethel; and as he was going up in the way, young men went out from the city, and mocked him, and said to him, Go up, O bald one, Go up, O bald one. (24) And he looked behind him, and saw them, and cursed them... [ Continue Reading ]