2 Kings 2:12 NIV

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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 2:12

The chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof - The Chaldee translates these words thus: "My master, my master! who, by thy intercession, wast of more use to Israel than horses and chariots." This is probably the sense. In the Book of Ecclesiasticus 48:1, etc., the fiery horses and chariot are considered as an emblem of that burning zeal which Elijah manifested in the whole of his ministry: "Then stood up Elijah the prophet as fire, and his word burned as a lamp," etc. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:1-14

The departure of good men. "And it came to pass, when the Lord would take up Elijah into heaven." Two subjects are here presented for notice— I. THE DEPARTURE OF A GOOD MAN FROM THE EARTH . Death is a departure from the world; it is not an extinction of being, but a mere change in its mode. There are two facts concerning Elijah's departure which mark the departure of all men. 1. The time is of God. "It came to pass, when the Lord would take up Elijah." There is an... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:1-25

THE REMOVAL OF ELIJAH FROM EARTH , AND SOME EARLY MIRACLES OF ELISHA . The great prophet of Israel was to have a departure from earth as marvelous as his life had been. Ewald's words, though not intended in an historical, but only in a literary sense, embody very forcibly what the humble believer may accept as the actual rationale of the occurrence related in 2 Kings 2:1-12 : "An earthly career which had no equal in the purity of its devotion to the service of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:2-12

Faithful friendship. Though Elisha is said to have " ministered " to Elijah ( 1 Kings 19:21 ), and to have "poured water on his hands" ( 2 Kings 3:11 ), yet he was far more Elijah's friend than his servant. There was no broad difference of rank between the two to hinder this. Rather Elisha was, in original worldly position, the higher of the two. The glimpse we get of his early home in 1 Kings 19:19-21 is indicative of comfort and wealth. In education and manners he must have been... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:7-15

Elijah taken up. The translation was to take place on the eastern side of Jordan. Dean Stanley quotes the remark, "The aged Gileadite cannot rest till he again sets foot on his own side of the river," I. CROSSING JORDAN . 1. The fifty disciples . "On the upper terraces, or on the mountain heights behind the city, stood 'afar off,' in awe, fifty of the young disciples; 'and they two stood by Jordan'" (Stanley). Of all the prophetic company, Elisha alone was permitted to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:11-12

Parted friends. Elijah seems to have had a desire to avoid a final parting. Either for that reason, or to try Elisha's devotion, he urged him to tarry first at Gilgal, and afterwards at Bethel. But in vain. Elisha remained with him to the last. What hours of emotion those must have been for Elisha! How he put away from him the very mention of his friend's departure! When the sons of the prophets asked him if he knew that God was going to take away his master from his head that day, he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:12

And Elisha saw it . The condition was fulfilled which Elijah had laid down, and Elisha knew that his request for a "double portion" of his master's spirit was granted. And he cried, My father! my father! It was usual for servants thus to address their masters ( 2 Kings 5:13 ), and younger men would, out of respect, almost always thus address an aged prophet ( 2 Kings 6:21 ; 2 Kings 13:14 , etc.). But Elisha probably meant something more than to show respect. He regarded himself as... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Kings 2:12

The chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof - These difficult words are probably said of Elijah, whom Elisha addresses as “the true defense of Israel, better than either the chariots or horsemen” which he saw. Hence, his rending his clothes in token of his grief. read more

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

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 2:12

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:1-14

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:1-25

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:2-12

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:7-15

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:11-12

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:12

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Kings 2:12

Group of Brands