2 Kings 2:21

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 2:21

And he went forth unto the spring of the waters ,.... The fountain from whence they flowed, the head of them: and cast the salt in there ; which was an unlikely means of making bad water good, since that makes it brackish, and not so drinkable, and what makes ground barren; but this method, contrary to nature, was taken, that the miracle might appear the greater; or, as the Jews express it, be a miracle within a miracle: and said, thus saith the Lord, I have healed these waters ; he... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 2:21

And cast the salt in there - He cast in the salt at the place where the waters sprang out of the earth. Jarchi well observes here, "Salt is a thing which corrupts water; therefore, it is evident that this was a true miracle." What Elisha did on this occasion, getting the new cruse and throwing in the salt, was only to make the miracle more conspicuous. If the salt could have had any natural tendency to render the water salubrious, it could have acted only for a short time, and only... 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 2:14-24

The signs of a teacher sent from God. No man is entitled to assume the position of a teacher sent from God of his own mere motion, or without some external authorization. "How can men preach, except they be sent ?" ( Romans 10:15 ). Where an organization has been established by Divine agency, human authorization, the mission of those to whom the power of mission has been assigned, is sufficient. But where there is no such established Church system, the commission has to be given directly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:15-22

The proper spirit for theological students. "And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho," etc. The "sons of the prophets were theological students, and they here manifest a spirit which may be considered alike becoming and necessary in all those who are set apart to study the revelations of God. I. Here is a SPIRIT OF REVERENCE . "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... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:19-22

The waters healed. A beautiful city was Jericho. It stood in the midst of a small but luxuriant plain. Fig trees and palm trees, and wheat, aromatic flowers and plants, grew there in great profusion. A few miles distant rolled the river Jordan, "the most interesting river on earth," and in the background lay the rugged hills of Quarantana. Jericho, too, had a famous history. It was the first city to which the Israelitish spies came when they set out to view the land of promise. It was the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:19-22

The healing of the spring. This first miracle is a fitting introduction to—in some respects a symbol of—the whole ministry of Elisha. In contrast with his predecessor, Elisha was a gentle, beneficent power in Israel. His miracles, like those of Christ, were, with two exceptions only (in this like Christ also), miracles of mercy, not of judgment. He is the "still small voice" coming after the whirlwind, the earthquake, and the fire ( 1 Kings 19:11 , 1 Kings 19:12 ). He is as Melancthon to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:19-25

The historian passes to the record of some of Elisha's minor miracles, belonging to the time whereof he is writing, and helping to explain the position of dignity and respect which he is found to occupy in the next chapter ( 2 Kings 2:11-14 ). The miracles showed his twofold power, both to confer benefits and to punish. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:21

And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there. The "spring" intended is supposed to be that now called Ain-es-Sultan , "the spring of the Sultan," which is the only copious source near the site of the ancient Jericho. The modern town lies at a distance of two miles from it. Ain-es-Sultan is described as "a large and beautiful fountain of sweet and pleasant water", and as "scattering, even at the hottest season, the richest and most grateful vegetation over... read more

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