2 Kings 2:12-18

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 2:12

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:13

He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him ,.... Which he had now no further need of, and Elisha had, having rent his clothes in two; and this falling into his hands was a token of his succeeding him in his office, and that he should have the double portion of his spirit: and he went back, and stood by the brook of Jordan ; at the place where he and Elijah had passed over together. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:14

And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters ,.... He wrapped it together, as Elijah had done, and smote the waters in like manner, to make trial whether he had the same spirit and power conferred on him: and said, where is the Lord God of Elijah ? let him appear now, and show his power as he did by him; he knew the mantle would not do without the Lord, and the exertion of his might: and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:15

And when the sons of the prophets, which were to view at Jericho, saw him ,.... Who went out from thence towards Jordan, to have a sight if they could of the assumption of Elijah; these, when they saw Elisha come over Jordan, the waters being parted by him: they said, the spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha ; or he has the same power and spirit to work miracles as he had, which they discerned by his dividing the waters of Jordan with his mantle: and they came to meet him, and bowed... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:16

And they said unto him, behold, now, there be with thy servants fifty strong men ,.... Perhaps meaning themselves, 2 Kings 2:7 who were young, stout, and strong, and able to travel for days together: let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master ; for though they knew he was to be taken away, yet knew not for what time, and imagined he might be found again: lest peradventure the Spirit of the Lord hath taken him up ; as it seems he was wont to do, see 1 Kings 18:12 . and cast... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:17

And when they urged him until he was ashamed ,.... To deny them any longer, being so very pressing and importunate: he said, send ; lest they should think he had not the respect for his master he should have had; or was so fond of his office, that he did not choose he should be found alive if he could, and return and reassume it: they sent therefore fifty men ; some one way, and some another: and they sought three days, but found him not ; and then returned. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:18

And when they came again to him, for he tarried at Jericho ,.... Waiting their return to hear the report they made: which when they had: he said unto them, did I not say unto you, go not ? assuring them it would be fruitless, and to no purpose; though this search of theirs served both to confirm the assumption of Elijah, and the truth of Elisha being a prophet of the Lord. 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

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