2 Kings 2:6-12

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

Matthew Henry

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 2:6

And Elijah said unto him, tarry, I pray thee, here ,.... At Jericho, seemingly very desirous to get rid of him, that he might not see his assumption: for the Lord hath sent me to Jordan : where passing that he was to be taken up: and he said , &c; Elisha swore, as before, he would not leave him: and they two went on ; to Jordan, which was six miles from Jericho F11 Travels, &c.; p. 205. . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:7

And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off ,.... To have a view, if they could, of the assumption of Elijah to heaven, and be witnesses of it: and they two stood by Jordan ; on the banks of it, even Elijah and Elisha. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:8

And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together ,.... Folded it up close together, in a position to smite with it; this is thought to be not his hairy garment, but a shorter robe, that was worn upon his shoulders; but the Greek version renders it by "melotes", and so in 2 Kings 2:14 , which, according to Isidore F12 Origin. l. 19. c. 24. , was a goat's skin, hanging down from the neck, and girt at the loins; and being thus clothed, perhaps, may be the reason of his being called... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:9

And it came to pass, when they were gone over ,.... Had got on the other side Jordan: that Elijah said unto Elisha, ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken from thee ; for, having followed him so closely, he now made no more a secret of his assumption, and having had full trial of his attachment to him, and affection for him: and Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me ; the two parts of the gifts of the spirit he had, that of prophecy, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:10

And he said, thou hast asked a hard thing ,.... Not a common privilege, but what is rarely enjoyed, and difficult to obtain, few are so favoured of God: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee , but if not, it shall not be so; meaning, that if his rapture was visible to Elisha, and he was favoured with a sight of his assumption, and be an eyewitness of it, this would be a token both to Elijah that it was agreeable to the Lord to ask of him this... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:11

And it came to pass, as they still went on and talked ,.... About the donation of the gifts of the Spirit requested, about the state of religion in Israel, and about the training up of prophets in the colleges, and about Elisha's succession as a prophet in his room, and his discharge of that office, and such like things, as may be supposed, in which he gave him instruction and advice: that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire ; either angels in this form, see ... 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 2:7

Fifty men of the sons of the prophets - They fully expected this extraordinary event, and they could have known it only from Elijah himself, or by a direct revelation from God. read more

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