The Book of
2 Kings 2
25 verses≈ 6 min3 peopleBSB
Images are artistic interpretations.
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In this chapter
Where we are
- 1–8ElishaThe prophet's double portionChapter 2
- 9–12JehuThe house of Ahab falls
- 13–17Last kings of IsraelSamaria falls
- 18–20HezekiahTrust in the LORD
- 21–23JosiahThe Book found
- 24–25ExileJerusalem falls
Elijah Taken Up to Heaven
Shortly before the LORD took Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal,
Elijah
and Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to Bethel.”
Elisha
But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.”
So they went down to Bethel.
The sons of the prophets
Then the sons of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the LORD will take your master away from you today?”
Elisha
“Yes, I know,” he replied. “Do not speak of it.”
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Stylised map · locations approximate
On the map
Elijah’s last road
From Gilgal in the hills, Elijah and Elisha went down to Bethel and on down to Jericho, then crossed the Jordan to its east bank, where Elijah was taken up. Elisha came back through Jericho and up to Bethel, then went on to Mount Carmel and to Samaria, the king’s city. This Gilgal’s site is uncertain.
Elijah
And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to Jericho.”
Elisha
But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.”
So they went to Jericho.
The sons of the prophets
Then the sons of the prophets at Jericho came up to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the LORD will take your master away from you today?”
Elisha
“Yes, I know,” he replied. “Do not speak of it.”
Elijah
And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to the Jordan.”
Elisha
But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.”
So the two of them went on.
Then a company of fifty of the sons of the prophets went and stood at a distance, facing Elijah and Elisha as the two of them stood by the Jordan.
And Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up, and struck the waters, which parted to the right and to the left, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground.
0:09
Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain
Elijah
After they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken away from you?”
Elisha
“Please, let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied.
Please, let me inherit a double portion of your spirit
2 Kings 2:9
“You have requested a difficult thing,” said Elijah. “Nevertheless, if you see me as I am taken from you, it will be yours. But if not, then it will not be so.”
As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire with horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up into heaven in a whirlwind.
Elisha
As Elisha watched, he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And he saw Elijah no more. So taking hold of his own clothes, he tore them in two.
Elisha also picked up the cloak that had fallen from Elijah, and he went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan.
Then he took the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the waters. “Where now is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” he asked. And when he had struck the waters, they parted to the right and to the left, and Elisha crossed over.
Reflect
I will not leave you
Three times Elisha was told he could stay behind, and three times he answered, “I will not leave you.” He kept walking with Elijah to the very end. Whom has God given you to learn from? Write down one name, and what staying close to them would look like this year.
Elisha Succeeds Elijah
The sons of the prophets
When the sons of the prophets who were watching him from Jericho saw what had happened, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” And they went to meet him and bowed down to the ground before him.
The sons of the prophets
“Look now,” they said to Elisha, “we your servants have fifty valiant men. Please let them go and search for your master. Perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has taken him up and put him on one of the mountains or in one of the valleys.”
Elisha
“Do not send them,” Elisha replied.
But when they pressed him to the point of embarrassment, he said, “Send them.”
And they sent fifty men, who searched for three days but did not find Elijah.
Elisha
When they returned to Elisha, who was staying in Jericho, he said to them, “Didn’t I tell you not to go?”
Elisha Heals the Waters of Jericho
Pray
Where now is the LORD?
Elisha struck the water and asked, “Where now is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” and the river parted again. Ask the God who worked through those who came before you to work in your generation too. Thank Him that He heals what is bad at its spring: “I have healed this water.”
Elisha Mocked
From there, Elisha went up to Bethel, and as he was walking up the road, a group of boys came out of the city and jeered at him, chanting, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!”
Then he turned around, looked at them, and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Suddenly two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys.
And Elisha went on to Mount Carmel, and from there he returned to Samaria.
Elijah and Elisha
Whiteboard
The cloak passes from master to servant, and the same God parts the same river for both. Elijah struck the water and “the two of them crossed over on dry ground.” Elisha struck it with the same cloak, and “they parted to the right and to the left.”
Question
Quick question
Elijah offered Elisha one last thing before he was taken.
What did Elisha ask of Elijah before he was taken up?
You’ve experienced
2 Kings 2
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A verse to carry with you
“Please, let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied.
2 Kings 2:9
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