2 Kings 2:9-22 NIV

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

Matthew Henry

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 2:9

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

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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 2:9-12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 2:13-18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 2:19-25

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

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:12

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

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

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

Group of Brands