2 Kings 2:1-14 NIV

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

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:5

And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho ,.... For though this place was lately rebuilt under a curse to the builder, yet was blessed with a school of the prophets: whose disciples came to Elisha, and said unto him; as in 2 Kings 2:3 and to whom he made the same reply. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:6

And Elijah said unto him, tarry, I pray thee, here ,.... At Jericho, seemingly very desirous to get rid of him, that he might not see his assumption: for the Lord hath sent me to Jordan : where passing that he was to be taken up: and he said , &c; Elisha swore, as before, he would not leave him: and they two went on ; to Jordan, which was six miles from Jericho F11 Travels, &c.; p. 205. . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:7

And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off ,.... To have a view, if they could, of the assumption of Elijah to heaven, and be witnesses of it: and they two stood by Jordan ; on the banks of it, even Elijah and Elisha. read more

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:7

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