2 Kings 2:1-14 NIV

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:8

And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together ,.... Folded it up close together, in a position to smite with it; this is thought to be not his hairy garment, but a shorter robe, that was worn upon his shoulders; but the Greek version renders it by "melotes", and so in 2 Kings 2:14 , which, according to Isidore F12 Origin. l. 19. c. 24. , was a goat's skin, hanging down from the neck, and girt at the loins; and being thus clothed, perhaps, may be the reason of his being called... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:9

And it came to pass, when they were gone over ,.... Had got on the other side Jordan: that Elijah said unto Elisha, ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken from thee ; for, having followed him so closely, he now made no more a secret of his assumption, and having had full trial of his attachment to him, and affection for him: and Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me ; the two parts of the gifts of the spirit he had, that of prophecy, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:10

And he said, thou hast asked a hard thing ,.... Not a common privilege, but what is rarely enjoyed, and difficult to obtain, few are so favoured of God: 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; meaning, that if his rapture was visible to Elisha, and he was favoured with a sight of his assumption, and be an eyewitness of it, this would be a token both to Elijah that it was agreeable to the Lord to ask of him this... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:11

And it came to pass, as they still went on and talked ,.... About the donation of the gifts of the Spirit requested, about the state of religion in Israel, and about the training up of prophets in the colleges, and about Elisha's succession as a prophet in his room, and his discharge of that office, and such like things, as may be supposed, in which he gave him instruction and advice: that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire ; either angels in this form, see ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:12

And Elisha saw it ,.... The ascension of Elijah to heaven, the manner of it, and all relative to it, as the disciples saw the ascension of Christ, between which and this there is a great agreement, see Acts 1:9 , and so Elisha had the token by which he might expect to have the double portion, as the disciples after the ascension of Christ had an extraordinary effusion of the Spirit and gifts upon them: and he cried, my father, my father ; or my master, my master, as the Targum; Elijah... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:13

He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him ,.... Which he had now no further need of, and Elisha had, having rent his clothes in two; and this falling into his hands was a token of his succeeding him in his office, and that he should have the double portion of his spirit: and he went back, and stood by the brook of Jordan ; at the place where he and Elijah had passed over together. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:14

And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters ,.... He wrapped it together, as Elijah had done, and smote the waters in like manner, to make trial whether he had the same spirit and power conferred on him: and said, where is the Lord God of Elijah ? let him appear now, and show his power as he did by him; he knew the mantle would not do without the Lord, and the exertion of his might: and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 2:1

When the Lord would take up Elijah - It appears that God had revealed this intended translation, not only to Elijah himself, but also to Elisha, and to the schools of the prophets, both at Beth-el and Jericho, so that they were all expecting this solemn event. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 2:2

Tarry here , I pray thee - He either made these requests through humility, not wishing any person to be witness of the honor conferred on him by God, or with the desire to prove the fidelity of Elisha, whether he would continue to follow and serve him. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 2:3

Knowest thou that the Lord - Thus we see that it was a matter well known to all the sons of the prophets. This day the Lord will take thy master and instructer from thee. read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:14

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 2:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 2:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 2:3

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