2 Kings 2:3

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

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:1-6

Preparative to translation. The time had come when the Lord would take Elijah up in a whirlwind into heaven. It was a singular honor to be put upon a singularly great and good man. No case had happened like it since the days of Enoch—that other great prophet, who maintained a witness for God amidst the all but universal wickedness of antediluvian times (Jud 2 Kings 1:14 ). No other would happen till the ascension of Christ. We observe— I. THE PROPHET 'S MOVEMENTS . It is to be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:1-8

Parting visits. Here, through the telescope of Scripture story, we are permitted to witness the closing scene of a great life. Let us draw near and look carefully at what happens there, for the like of it only happened once before—and of that we have little record—and it has never happened since. Only two men, Enoch and Elijah, went straight from earth to heaven without passing through the valley of death. It was true of Elijah as well as of Enoch, that " he walked with God." It is a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:1-10

Preparation for our departure from earth. Abnormal as was the mode of Elijah's departure from the earth, his conduct in prospect of departure may be to some extent a lesson to Christians. Note— I. HIS RESIGNATION . No murmur escapes him; he shows no unwillingness to depart, no clinging to earth, no fear of removal, no shrinking from entrance on the unseen world. When God determines that the objects with which he has been placed upon the earth are accomplished, and that the Divine... 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 2:3

The sons of the prophets that were at Bethel (On the expression, "sons of the prophets," see the comment upon 1 Kings 20:35 .) The institution of the "schools of the prophets," or theological colleges where young prophets were brought up, is usually assigned to Samuel, one of whose habitual residences for a part of the year was Bethel ( 1 Samuel 7:16 ). Probably he had established a "school" there which continued to this time. Came forth to Elisha, and said unto him . The students did... read more

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