2 Kings Chapter 2
Elijah’s Ascension
A. Elijah Ascends to Heaven
1. (2 Kings 2:1-3) The awareness of Elijah’s coming departure
2 Kings 2:1-3
“And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.
And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee, for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel.
And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day. And he said, Yea, I know it, hold ye your peace.”
a. “When the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind”
The narrative opens with a clear announcement from Scripture itself. The Lord had determined to take Elijah into heaven in a supernatural manner. Unlike other men who experienced death, Elijah would be transported bodily into heaven by a divine whirlwind. The text indicates that this event was known beforehand. Elijah knew it, Elisha knew it, and the communities of the prophets knew it. The Lord had evidently revealed this future event through prophetic means, making Elijah’s impending departure a matter of open expectation.
This establishes the theological weight of the moment. Elijah is one of only two men in Scripture taken to heaven without seeing death, the other being Enoch. Both men walk with God in faithfulness during periods of deep apostasy, and both receive extraordinary departures that testify to God’s power over death. Elijah’s ascension is a preview of resurrection power and a reminder that the Lord has authority over life and death.
The wording also emphasizes the sovereignty of God. Elijah does not orchestrate his own departure. The Lord takes him. His ministry ends precisely when God decrees, and by the method that God chooses. This reinforces the principle that God raises up His servants and removes them according to His perfect plan.
b. “Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal”
Gilgal is a place of historic significance for Israel. It was the first encampment after crossing the Jordan in the days of Joshua. It symbolized new beginnings and covenant renewal. Elijah and Elisha beginning the final journey from Gilgal creates a sense of holy transition. Elijah is nearing the end of his earthly service, and Elisha is about to inherit the prophetic mantle.
The journey from Gilgal begins a pattern. Elijah travels from one location to another, and at each point attempts to leave Elisha behind. Yet Elisha refuses. These movements are not random. They form a deliberate progression that leads finally to the Jordan River, where the prophetic transfer will be sealed.
c. “Tarry here, I pray thee, for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel”
Elijah gives Elisha the opportunity to remain behind. This is not a rejection. It is a test of devotion. Elijah will soon depart. The Lord is about to remove him from earth. Elijah tests whether Elisha is committed to accompany him to the end and whether he possesses the loyalty needed for prophetic ministry.
Elijah’s command also underscores a reality in spiritual calling. God sometimes tests His servants through opportunities to remain behind. Those who persevere demonstrate calling. Those who remain prove that they were never committed at the deepest level. Elijah is not trying to lose Elisha. He is giving him the chance to freely demonstrate devotion.
d. “As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee”
Elisha’s response is firm and unwavering. He binds his commitment with an oath. His loyalty is based first on the life of the Lord and second on the life of Elijah. He refuses to abandon his mentor in the final hours of Elijah’s earthly ministry.
This demonstrates several important qualities:
Devotion. Elisha’s loyalty reflects the heart of a true disciple.
Discernment. Elisha knows that something extraordinary is about to take place.
Humility. Elisha understands his dependence on Elijah’s leadership and prophetic guidance.
Elisha’s commitment to remain by Elijah’s side is the same kind of steadfastness required of all servants of God. He refuses to depart even when given permission. He has resolved to stay with Elijah until the Lord removes him.
e. “The sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha”
The sons of the prophets were communities of men devoted to prophetic ministry. They were not prophets in the same sense as Elijah or Elisha, but they were students or members of prophetic guilds under the guidance of God’s appointed prophets. Their presence indicates that prophetic ministry during this dark period of Israel’s history remained active and organized.
These men were aware of Elijah’s coming departure. The prophetic community had received word of what was soon to occur. They approach Elisha with a probing question. They want to know if Elisha understands the significance of the moment, and perhaps whether he is spiritually prepared for what is about to happen.
f. “Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day. And he said, Yea, I know it, hold ye your peace”
Elisha’s answer reveals spiritual maturity. He does not deny the reality. He does not act surprised. He simply affirms that he knows. He also instructs the sons of the prophets to keep silent. This is not rude. It is reverent. Elisha is focused on the gravity of the moment. Elijah is about to be taken. This is not a time for chatter or distractions. It is a time for solemn reflection.
Elisha’s command to “hold your peace” conveys the seriousness of the approaching event. He desires to give Elijah his full attention and to maintain a spirit of reverence. His response reflects his deep love for Elijah and his awareness of the sacred nature of what is about to occur.
2. (2 Kings 2:4-7) The awareness of Elijah’s departure at Jericho and the Jordan
2 Kings 2:4-7
“And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee, for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho.
And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day. And he answered, Yea, I know it, hold ye your peace.
And Elijah said unto him, Tarry here, I pray thee, for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on.
And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off, and they two stood by Jordan.”
a. “Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee, for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho”
Elijah repeats the same instruction he gave at Gilgal and at Bethel. Again he invites Elisha to remain behind. This is a deliberate test of perseverance. Elijah is nearing the end of his earthly ministry, and the Lord will soon take him in a supernatural departure. Elijah tests whether Elisha possesses the steadfast devotion required to carry on the prophetic office.
Elisha refuses to remain behind. His answer is identical to his earlier declaration. He binds himself with an oath grounded in the life of the Lord and the life of Elijah. His loyalty is not momentary. It is persistent. Elisha has resolved to follow Elijah to the final moment because he understands the gravity of what the Lord is about to do.
i. Elijah’s desire for privacy
Elijah’s repeated instructions reveal something about his heart. Although the Lord has planned a dramatic end to Elijah’s life, Elijah does not seek to publicize it. He is willing to depart quietly. His humility contrasts with human tendencies to draw attention to oneself. Elijah’s concern is faithfulness to the Lord, not personal recognition. This stands in stark contrast to the self promotion often found in religious leadership.
Jericho, the next destination, symbolizes restoration and spiritual warfare. It was Israel’s first conquest in the land. The presence of a prophetic community there proves that God had preserved godly men throughout the nation even in periods of widespread apostasy.
b. “Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day”
The sons of the prophets in Jericho repeat the same question asked earlier at Bethel. Their awareness indicates that Elijah’s departure has become a commonly known fact among the prophetic guilds. These men are not mocking Elisha. They are recognizing the significance of the moment.
The phrase “from thy head” speaks of a master being removed from the position of leadership above a servant. Elijah is Elisha’s spiritual father and mentor. The sons of the prophets are pointing out that Elisha is about to lose his teacher but in doing so they also acknowledge that Elisha is likely to succeed him.
Elisha responds exactly as before. “Yea, I know it, hold ye your peace.” His tone is reverent. He is not irritated. He simply recognizes that this sacred moment requires silence. Elisha does not wish to discuss Elijah’s imminent departure publicly or casually. He desires to follow Elijah without distraction or fanfare. This demonstrates spiritual sensitivity and maturity.
c. “And Elijah said unto him, Tarry here, I pray thee, for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan”
For the third time Elijah tests Elisha’s determination. Jordan represents a boundary. Crossing the Jordan recalls the days of Joshua and symbolizes transitions, endings, and beginnings. Elijah’s crossing will mark the conclusion of his prophetic ministry and the commissioning of Elisha.
Elisha again refuses to remain behind. His oath repeats word for word. His devotion does not weaken. He knows that the Lord is about to take Elijah and he refuses to miss what the Lord is about to accomplish. His loyalty reflects the heart of a servant who is ready to inherit the mantle of responsibility.
d. “And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off”
The sons of the prophets recognize the solemn nature of the event and follow at a respectful distance. They do not intrude. They observe from afar. They know that the Lord is about to act in a supernatural way and they desire to witness the event. Their distance reflects reverence and humility. Elijah and Elisha continue their journey alone because the moment is reserved for them.
The presence of fifty prophetic witnesses testifies that the events surrounding Elijah’s departure are not hidden or questionable. God ensures that Elijah’s ascension will be observed and confirmed. This prevents later speculation or denial.
e. “And they two stood by Jordan”
The scene pauses with Elijah and Elisha standing before the river. This is where the final miracle of Elijah’s ministry and the inauguration of Elisha’s ministry will occur. Jordan represents both an ending and a beginning. It is the place where Moses was replaced by Joshua. Now it becomes the place where Elijah will be replaced by Elisha.
The transition of prophetic authority is deliberate and public. The Lord is preparing to demonstrate that Elisha is indeed His chosen successor.
3. (2 Kings 2:8-10) Elisha asks for a double portion
2 Kings 2:8-10
“And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.
And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.
And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing, nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee, but if not, it shall not be so.”
a. “Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters”
Elijah’s mantle was the symbol of his prophetic calling and authority. By rolling it together and striking the Jordan River, Elijah performs a miracle that clearly parallels the ministries of Moses and Joshua. The water divides “hither and thither,” and the two prophets cross on dry ground, a supernatural act that recalls the Red Sea in the days of Moses and the Jordan in the days of Joshua.
This miracle is not random. It serves several purposes.
It confirms Elijah’s divine authority. Only a man empowered by God could divide waters.
It symbolizes transition. Elijah is about to depart, and this miracle forms the threshold between his earthly ministry and Elisha’s future ministry.
It places Elijah and Elisha in continuity with Israel’s history. Their ministries stand in the same stream of divine authority that marked Moses and Joshua.
The Jordan River becomes a stage for God’s power, reminding Israel that even in dark times, the Lord remains sovereign and active among His people.
b. “Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee”
Once they cross, Elijah offers Elisha a remarkable invitation. The request is not offered casually. Elijah is nearing the final moment of his earthly ministry. He has tested Elisha’s devotion repeatedly. Only now, after Elisha has refused to leave him at Gilgal, Bethel, Jericho, and Jordan, does Elijah open the door for a final request.
This reveals Elijah’s discernment. Spiritual leadership must not be given lightly. Elijah needs to know that Elisha’s commitment is genuine, steadfast, and grounded in loyalty to God rather than ambition. Elisha’s perseverance qualifies him to receive the prophetic inheritance.
i. Elijah’s repeated tests now reveal their purpose
As Meyer observed, Elijah’s earlier insistence that Elisha stay behind was not meant to push him away but to test the depth of his character. Elisha, by remaining, demonstrated faithfulness. Now Elijah gives him what amounts to a spiritual blank check. Only a faithful man is entrusted with such freedom.
This moment underscores the biblical pattern that spiritual responsibility is entrusted to those who first prove faithful in lesser things. Elisha has proved himself through perseverance, loyalty, and discernment.
c. “I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me”
Elisha’s request is profound. He does not ask for earthly power, wealth, or prestige. He seeks spiritual empowerment.
He desires not twice as much spirit as Elijah possessed, but the double portion given to a firstborn son according to Deuteronomy 21:17, which states, “but he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath.”
Elisha is asking to be recognized as Elijah’s prophetic heir.
i. Elisha sought spiritual power rather than earthly advantages
Meyer rightly notes that Elisha turned his back on worldly gain. He had burned his plowing equipment, slaughtered his oxen, and abandoned the comforts of home when he followed Elijah. His priorities remained centered on the things of God.
ii. Elisha’s request matches his calling
Elijah had already cast his mantle upon Elisha in 1 Kings 19:19, signifying God’s call. Elisha now asks for the spiritual empowerment necessary to fulfill that calling. He is not asking for status but for the power of the Spirit. He seeks divine enablement rather than human acclaim.
iii. God sometimes ordains a transfer of ministry from one man to another
Although ministries differ today under the completed canon of Scripture, the pattern remains instructive. There are times when God raises up a successor to carry on the work of a faithful servant. Elisha seeks not to imitate Elijah in personality but to carry forward the spiritual mission God initiated through Elijah.
d. “If thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee”
Elijah declares that Elisha’s request is a “hard thing.” This does not mean difficult for God. It means that only God can grant such a request. Elijah cannot impart the Spirit on his own authority. The Lord alone determines whom He empowers.
The condition Elijah gives is simple. If Elisha sees Elijah taken up by God, then the request is granted. If not, then the Lord has denied it. This condition reemphasizes the importance of Elisha’s perseverance. Only by remaining close to Elijah to the final moment will Elisha receive the confirmation of his call.
This requirement also places all focus on God. Elijah’s ascension becomes the divine sign that Elisha is Elijah’s true successor. The prophetic office is not inherited genetically or seized by power. It is granted by God and confirmed by visible signs.
This condition compels Elisha to remain vigilant, faithful, and alert, ensuring that his heart remains fully committed to the Lord.
4. (2 Kings 2:11-13) Elijah ascends into heaven
2 Kings 2:11-13
“And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder, and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more, and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.
He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan.”
a. “As they still went on, and talked”
The final moments of Elijah’s earthly ministry are marked not by silence but by fellowship and conversation. Scripture does not record their words, but the spiritual richness of the moment is evident. Elijah is about to step from time into eternity, and Elisha is about to assume one of the greatest prophetic responsibilities in Israel’s history.
As Meyer imagined, their conversation likely concerned the spiritual condition of Israel, the judgment to come upon the nation, the weight of prophetic responsibility, and the work that Elisha would soon inherit. These were solemn and holy themes. Their final walk together reveals Elijah’s character. He is faithful to the end, mentoring Elisha and speaking of the things of God until the very moment he is taken.
Their walk symbolizes transition. The prophetic office is not dying. It is being passed on. Elijah does not depart frustrated or defeated. He departs victorious, having been faithful in a generation filled with idolatry, compromise, and spiritual darkness.
b. “Suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and parted them both asunder, and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven”
Elijah’s ascension is one of the most dramatic supernatural events in the Old Testament. A fiery chariot with fiery horses appears, separating Elijah from Elisha. Yet the chariot does not carry Elijah upward. The text is explicit. Elijah goes up by a whirlwind, not by the chariot. The chariot and horses serve a symbolic purpose.
i. Elijah’s fiery life fits a fiery departure
Elijah’s ministry had been marked by fire. He had called down fire on Mount Carmel. He had called down fire upon Ahaziah’s soldiers. His ministry had been bold, confrontational, and filled with demonstrations of divine power. As Meyer observed, it was fitting that a man associated with divine fire should be taken up amidst fiery symbols and a whirlwind.
ii. The chariots and horses of fire represent God’s protection and heavenly armies
Wiseman correctly notes that these fiery horses and chariots symbolize the spiritual forces that defend the people of God. They represent the true military strength of Israel. Israel’s safety does not lie in her earthly armies, but in the presence of God and the ministry of the Word. These fiery chariots later appear again when Elisha’s servant is allowed to see the heavenly host encircling Dothan. God allows His prophets to glimpse His unseen armies, reminding them that He reigns over the nations.
iii. Elijah’s ascension contrasts with Christ’s ascension
Christ ascended gently and visibly, rising upward under His own divine authority. Elijah is caught up by a whirlwind. The difference underscores that Christ is the eternal Son of God while Elijah is a servant. Elijah is taken by God. Christ ascends by His own power.
c. “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof”
Elisha’s cry reveals the depth of his grief and the clarity of his theological insight. He calls Elijah “my father,” a term expressing spiritual sonship, affection, and recognition of Elijah as his mentor. This is the same title the king of Israel later uses when Elisha himself approaches death.
Elisha also declares that Elijah was “the chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof.” This remarkable statement means that the true defense and strength of the nation was not its military forces but the presence of a godly prophet who spoke the Word of God.
i. Elijah defended Israel more than any army could
As Poole beautifully summarizes, Elijah’s prayers, counsel, and intercession accomplished more for the nation’s preservation than all its chariots and horses combined. A godly prophet was more valuable than any weapon.
ii. Elijah’s ministry parallels that of Moses
The similarities are striking:
Both stood alone for righteousness against idolatry.
Both encountered fire on mountains.
Both spent long seasons in the wilderness.
Both met with God on Sinai.
Both fled from pagan rulers.
Both experienced miraculous provision of food and water.
Both fasted for forty days.
Both parted waters.
Both had successors who also parted waters.
Both had mysterious departures.
The Lord later brings Moses and Elijah together on the Mount of Transfiguration, showing that their ministries stand uniquely in salvation history.
d. “And Elisha saw it”
This is crucial. Elijah had said in 2 Kings 2:10 that Elisha’s request for a double portion would be granted if Elisha witnessed his departure. Here the condition is fulfilled. Elisha sees Elijah taken up into heaven. Therefore, God confirms Elisha as Elijah’s true successor.
Yet Elisha does not rejoice at first. He rends his clothes, symbolizing grief. A great man of God has departed. Elisha mourns the loss even as the promise is fulfilled.
e. “He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him”
The mantle was Elijah’s symbol of office. It had struck the Jordan moments earlier. Now it falls to the ground as a divine sign that Elisha is to continue Elijah’s work.
But Elisha must pick it up.
The mantle does not fall upon him automatically. He must decide to take it up. This symbolizes personal responsibility. God calls, but man must obey. God grants power, but man must embrace the work. Elijah’s ministry had been powerful but also costly. Picking up the mantle meant stepping into danger, responsibility, and spiritual battle.
Elisha accepts the call. He takes up the mantle and walks back to Jordan. The ministry of Elijah continues through a new vessel.
B. The beginning of the ministry of the prophet Elisha
1. (2 Kings 2:14-15) Elisha continues after the pattern of Elijah
2 Kings 2:14-15
“And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah. And when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither, and Elisha went over.
And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.”
a. “Where is the LORD God of Elijah”
Elisha does not rely on the mantle as if it possessed some magical quality. He understands that the true power of prophetic ministry comes from the Lord Himself. Elijah’s God was the One who parted the waters, sent fire from heaven, raised the dead, empowered prayer, and carried His prophet into heaven. The question “Where is the LORD God of Elijah” expresses Elisha’s total dependence on God.
This is not a cry of doubt. It is a cry of faith. Elisha is boldly calling upon the same God who worked through Elijah. He knows that if God has chosen him as Elijah’s successor, then that same divine presence must empower him. He does not say, “Where is Elijah,” for Elijah is gone. Instead he appeals directly to the One who gave Elijah strength, courage, miracles, and prophetic authority.
This question is deeply practical and theological. If God intends His work to continue, He must supply His Spirit. Elisha’s question can be understood in several implied petitions:
Where is the God who kept Elijah faithful when the nation plunged into idolatry.
Where is the God who answered Elijah’s prayers with fire.
Where is the God who provided food for Elijah in famine.
Where is the God who raised the widow’s son through Elijah.
Where is the God who silenced Baal’s prophets and vindicated His own name.
Where is the God who encouraged Elijah when he was discouraged in the cave.
Where is the God who carried Elijah to heaven and ended his ministry in triumph.
Elisha is asking for the presence of the same God to accompany him in every trial and every responsibility of prophetic service.
b. “When he also had smitten the waters, they parted”
Elisha repeats Elijah’s final miracle. He strikes the Jordan with the mantle and the waters divide. This act accomplishes two things.
It confirms that God has empowered Elisha.
Miracles in Scripture authenticate divine authority. God is demonstrating that Elisha is indeed Elijah’s chosen successor. This was not Elisha trying to imitate Elijah externally. It was God acting in continuity with His own work.It symbolizes the beginning of Elisha’s public ministry.
Elijah’s ministry ended with a parting of the waters. Elisha’s ministry begins with the same sign. This establishes divine continuity. God is not doing something new. God is continuing His work through a new vessel.
Spurgeon captures the moment well. Elijah is gone, but Elijah’s God remains. Elisha is not to linger in grief or remain paralyzed by mourning. He must take up the work, confront the obstacles before him, and trust the presence of God.
Jordan once again parts. The God who parted seas for Moses and commanded rivers for Elijah now demonstrates His power through Elisha. The mantle has changed hands, but the presence of God remains the same.
c. “The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha”
The sons of the prophets witness the miracle from a distance. They immediately recognize that the prophetic authority, spiritual power, and divine calling that rested upon Elijah has now been transferred to Elisha. Elisha does not need to claim the role. God validates him publicly.
i. Elisha does not self promote
He does not announce himself as Elijah’s successor. He does not declare a title. He does not perform flashy demonstrations. Instead he faithfully takes the mantle, obeys God, and God confirms him.
ii. Others bow in recognition of God’s calling
The sons of the prophets bow before him, not in worship of a man, but in acknowledgment of the authority God has placed upon him. Their actions show acceptance, submission, and respect for the office God has given Elisha. This public affirmation is essential. It unites the prophetic community under Elisha’s leadership and prepares the nation to receive God’s Word through him.
iii. The ministry of Elijah has not ended
Though Elijah has departed, his ministry continues through Elisha. God’s Word remains active. God’s power remains present. The prophetic office remains vital. Elisha becomes the living testimony that God does not abandon His people even during their decline. He places new messengers in place to proclaim His truth and reveal His power.
2. (2 Kings 2:16-18) A futile search for Elijah
2 Kings 2:16-18
“And they said unto him, Behold now, there be with thy servants fifty strong men, let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master, lest peradventure the Spirit of the LORD hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, Ye shall not send.
And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men, and they sought three days, but found him not.
And when they came again to him, (for he tarried at Jericho,) he said unto them, Did I not say unto you, Go not.”
a. “Please let them go and search for your master”
The sons of the prophets had witnessed Elijah’s departure, but they misunderstood what they saw. They believed the Spirit of the Lord might have transported Elijah to a distant location. This idea reflects earlier prophetic traditions. In 1 Kings 18:12, Obadiah feared that the Spirit of the Lord would carry Elijah away and hide him. The prophets thought the same thing might have occurred here.
Their request shows reverence for Elijah, but it also shows incomplete understanding of the miracle. They knew Elijah was taken, yet they did not grasp that he had been taken into heaven. Elisha, however, understood perfectly. He knew that Elijah was no longer on earth. He had seen the whirlwind carry his master upward. Therefore he knew a search would be useless.
Elisha instructs them not to go. His spiritual insight allowed him to recognize what God had done, and he speaks with authority and clarity. But the sons of the prophets are persistent. Their respect for Elijah compels them to insist on searching. They cannot imagine that God has removed a prophet in such a final and supernatural way.
b. “Did I not say unto you, Go not”
Their urging wears on Elisha until he is “ashamed,” meaning pressured or embarrassed, not morally ashamed. He finally permits the search, but only to satisfy their insistence. The fifty men search for three days, the symbolic number of completion, and find nothing. Their failure verifies Elisha’s understanding and highlights the futility of human reason when it conflicts with divine revelation.
Elisha receives them upon their return and gently rebukes them with the words, “Did I not say unto you, Go not.” His rebuke is not harsh. It reminds them to trust the Word of God and the authority of the prophet whom God has appointed. God had taken Elijah to heaven, not to another mountain or valley. This futile search confirms Elisha’s role as the prophetic successor and strengthens his credibility among the prophetic guilds.
3. (2 Kings 2:19-22) The waters of Jericho are healed
2 Kings 2:19-22
“And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth, but the water is naught, and the ground barren.
And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they brought it to him.
And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters, there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land.
So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake.”
a. “The water is naught, and the ground barren”
Jericho was a strategic and beautiful location. Its climate, geography, and soil made it desirable. The problem was its water supply. The spring was contaminated in some way. Its water caused death, miscarriages, and agricultural infertility. This made life extremely difficult for Jericho’s residents. Their appeal to Elisha shows their recognition of prophetic authority and their confidence that God might work through His servant to remedy the situation.
Their request also reveals humility. Instead of seeking pagan remedies or ignoring the problem, they bring their need directly to the representative of God. They understood that the God who parted Jordan and who empowered Elijah can restore what is broken.
b. “Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters”
Elisha does not heal the water by his own power. He follows the Lord’s instruction. He asks for a new vessel filled with salt. Salt itself cannot purify a contaminated spring. This shows the miracle is supernatural. The salt is symbolic, not medicinal.
Elisha casts the salt into the source of the water. He speaks not his own word but the word of the Lord: “I have healed these waters.” This emphasizes that God, not Elisha, performs the healing. The solution addresses the root of the problem, the spring itself, which symbolizes how God heals the root causes of spiritual corruption, not merely symptoms.
i. Trapp’s insight
Trapp’s comment offers a powerful devotional truth. “If God casteth into our hearts but one cruseful of the salt of his Spirit, we are whole.” The Spirit of God purifies, cleanses, and heals the inner spring of a person’s life. Just as Jericho’s outward beauty was compromised by a poisoned fountain, so human nature is corrupted at its source. Only God can heal the spring of the heart.
c. “So the waters were healed unto this day”
The healing was immediate and long-lasting. The phrase “unto this day” indicates that the miracle endured for generations. Jericho’s spring is well known even today as the “Elisha Spring.” Its continual flow of fresh water stands as a living testimony of God’s power working through His prophet.
This miracle also marks a contrast between Elijah’s ministry and Elisha’s. Elijah’s ministry was characterized by judgment, fire, and confrontation. Elisha’s ministry begins with healing, restoration, and life. God uses different men to accomplish different purposes, but the same Spirit empowers both.
4. (2 Kings 2:23-25) Judgment upon the youths of Bethel
2 Kings 2:23-25
“And he went up from thence unto Bethel, and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head, Go up, thou bald head.
And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.
And he went from thence to mount Carmel, and from thence he returned to Samaria.”
a. “Some youths came from the city and mocked him”
The Hebrew word translated little children can refer to a wide range of young males, including adolescents and even grown young men. Scripture uses the same term for Joseph when he was thirty nine, for Absalom as an adult, and for Solomon when he was twenty. These were not toddlers. They were a large group of disrespectful and hostile young men.
These youths came from Bethel, which was a stronghold of idolatry because Jeroboam had established one of his golden calf shrines there. This city was deeply corrupted by false worship and hostility toward true prophets. These young men represent the fruit of an apostate culture that despised the Lord and His servants.
Their mocking reveals not childish silliness but deliberate hostility. They confronted Elisha in public, came in a group large enough to threaten him, and spoke words intending to insult the prophet and the God he served.
i. Bethel as a center of idolatry
As Wiseman noted, their origin from Bethel shows the entrenched resistance to God’s truth. A corrupt religious system produces mockers who despise holiness and ridicule God’s messengers.
b. “Go up, thou bald head”
This insult attacked both Elisha personally and the prophetic ministry he inherited from Elijah.
“Go up” mocked the ascension of Elijah. They were essentially saying, “If you are truly a prophet like Elijah, go up to heaven as well and get out of here.”
“Bald head” was not merely an observation. It was an insult meant to shame and ridicule him. In Israel, baldness was sometimes associated with shame or leprosy. They were treating Elisha with scorn and contempt.
i. Their mockery was theological and rebellious
Poole explains their meaning well. They mocked the miracle of Elijah’s ascension. They mocked the prophetic office. They mocked the God who took Elijah. Their words revealed unbelief and spiritual rebellion, not childish immaturity.
ii. Elisha was a young man at this time
Dilday notes that Elisha lived about fifty years after this incident. His baldness was not due to age. It was likely premature baldness, making him visually distinct from Elijah’s hairy appearance. The contrast made him an easy target for mockers.
c. “He turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD”
Elisha does not act out of personal irritation. He does not respond physically. He responds by invoking the name of the Lord. This curse is judicial. It is not fueled by emotion. It is a prophetic denunciation of covenant rebellion.
Elisha recognizes that these youths represent the spirit of Bethel’s idolatry. Their mockery is not merely about appearance. It is an assault against the authority of God.
By pronouncing a curse, Elisha hands the matter over to the Lord. If judgment comes, it will be divine judgment, not human vengeance. This is consistent with the pattern of prophetic authority. The prophet speaks. God confirms.
d. “Two she bears came out of the wood and tare forty and two children of them”
The Lord responds immediately. The judgment is not random. Bears were known to inhabit the forested hill regions of ancient Israel. God uses what is natural to bring supernatural judgment.
i. The bears “tore” them
The Hebrew term translated “tare” means “to maul,” “to rend,” or “to tear apart.” Dilday emphasizes that the text does not say the youths were killed. They may have been severely injured but not necessarily slain. The purpose was to break the mob, scatter the offenders, and serve as a divine warning.
ii. The group was large and dangerous
Forty two were mauled. This implies an even larger crowd, possibly fifty or more. A group that size confronting one prophet could easily turn violent. God protected His servant through miraculous intervention.
iii. Judgment reflects the seriousness of despising God’s Word
This was not punishment on children for childish behavior. This was covenant judgment upon a group of defiant young men shaped by apostasy, idolatry, and hatred for God’s truth. Their mockery against the prophet was mockery against the God who sent him.
The Lord defended His messenger the same way He defended Elijah from Ahaziah’s soldiers. God will not allow His prophets to be destroyed by mobs of rebellious men.
