2 Kings 2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 2

In this chapter we have, I. That extraordinary event, the translation of Elijah. In the close of the foregoing chapter we had a wicked king leaving the world in disgrace, here we have a holy prophet leaving it in honour; the departure of the former was his greatest misery, of the latter his greatest bliss: men are as their end is. Here is, 1. Elijah taking leave of his friends, the sons of the prophets, and especially Elisha, who kept close to him, and walked with him through Jordan, 2 Kgs.... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 2:1-8

Elijah's times, and the events concerning him, are as little dated as those of any great man in scripture; we are not told of his age, nor in what year of Ahab's reign he first appeared, nor in what year of Joram's he disappeared, and therefore cannot conjecture how long he flourished; it is supposed about twenty years in all. Here we are told, I. That God had determined to take him up into heaven by a whirlwind, 2 Kgs. 2:1. He would do it, and it is probable let him know of his purpose some... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 2:9-12

Here, I. Elijah makes his will, and leaves Elisha his heir, now anointing him to be prophet in his room, more than when he cast his mantle upon him, 1 Kgs. 19:19. 1. Elijah, being greatly pleased with the constancy of Elisha's affection and attendance, bade him ask what he should do for him, what blessing he should leave him at parting; he does not say (as bishop Hall observes), ?Ask of me when I am gone, in heaven I shall be better able to befriend thee,? but, ?Ask before I go.? Our friends... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 2:13-18

We have here an account of what followed immediately after the translation of Elijah. I. The tokens of God's presence with Elisha, and the marks of his elevation into Elijah's room, to be, as he had been, a father to the sons of the prophets, and the chariots and horsemen of Israel. 1. He was possessed of Elijah's mantle, the badge of his office, which, we may suppose, he put on and wore for his master's sake, 2 Kgs. 2:13. When Elijah went to heaven, though he did not let fall his body as... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 2:19-25

Elisha had, in this respect, a double portion of Elijah's spirit, that he wrought more miracles than Elijah. Some reckon them in number just double. Two are recorded in these verses?a miracle of mercy to Jericho and a miracle of judgment to Bethel, Ps. 101:1. I. Here is a blessing upon the waters of Jericho, which was effectual to heal them. Jericho was built in disobedience to a command, in defiance to a threatening, and at the expense of the lives of all the builder's children; yet, when it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2

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, 2 Kings 2:1 , but having the mantle of Elijah, he divided the waters of Jordan, and passed over, 2 Kings 2:13 , 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:1

And it came to pass, when the Lord would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind ,.... Thereby lifting him up from the earth, and which, as it was the purpose and will of God, Elijah had notice of, as appears by his motions to different places, under a divine direction: that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal , where it seems they met, a place where the Israelites first pitched when they came over Jordan, and where the tabernacle was for some time, and was famous for religious... read more

John Gill

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

And Elijah said unto Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee ,.... Seemingly unwilling he should go with him, and be present at his assumption; which was either out of modesty, not affecting the spread of the honour and glory to be conferred upon him; or to prevent the grief of Elisha at his departure, or to try whether Elisha knew any thing of it, and what affection he had for him: for the Lord hath sent me to Bethel ; to give some comfort and some instruction and advice to the college of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:3

And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel ,.... Or the disciples of them, as the Targum; here, though a place where one of Jeroboam's calves was set up, was a school of the prophets, perhaps founded by Elijah as a nursery for religion, and a check upon the idolatry of the times: came forth to Elisha; out of their college: and said unto him, knowest thou that the Lord will take away thy master from thy head today ? who was, as Abarbinel observes, the crown and glory of his head; or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:4

And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee ,.... At Bethel: for the Lord hath sent me to Jericho ; to the school of the prophets there, to strengthen, encourage, and advise them: and he said, as the lord liveth , &c; using the same form of oath as before: so they came to Jericho ; together, which, as the above writer says F9 Travels, &c.; p. 205. , was four miles from Bethel. read more

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