2 Kings 2:1-2

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 2:1

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 2:1

When the Lord would take up Elijah - It appears that God had revealed this intended translation, not only to Elijah himself, but also to Elisha, and to the schools of the prophets, both at Beth-el and Jericho, so that they were all expecting this solemn event. read more

Adam Clarke

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

Tarry here , I pray thee - He either made these requests through humility, not wishing any person to be witness of the honor conferred on him by God, or with the desire to prove the fidelity of Elisha, whether he would continue to follow and serve him. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:1

And it came to pass, when the Lord would take up Elijah into heaven. The subject is introduced as one of general notoriety, the writer professing rather to give the exact details of a well-known fact, than to relate a new fact unknown to his readers. "When the time came," he means to say, "for Elijah's translation, of which you, my readers, all know, the following were the circumstances under which it took place." The fact itself was deeply impressed on the Jewish consciousness. "Elias,"... 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

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