2 Kings 2:2-6 NIV

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:1-25

THE REMOVAL OF ELIJAH FROM EARTH , AND SOME EARLY MIRACLES OF ELISHA . The great prophet of Israel was to have a departure from earth as marvelous as his life had been. Ewald's words, though not intended in an historical, but only in a literary sense, embody very forcibly what the humble believer may accept as the actual rationale of the occurrence related in 2 Kings 2:1-12 : "An earthly career which had no equal in the purity of its devotion to the service of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:2

And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me. Elijah makes three efforts to rid himself of the presence of his faithful attendant (see 2 Kings 2:4 and 2 Kings 2:6 ), either really desirous to pass in solitude the few remaining hours of his earthly life, for he knows that his end is approaching ( 2 Kings 2:9 , 2 Kings 2:10 ), or for the purpose of testing his fidelity and affection. Under ordinary circumstances, the servant would naturally have... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:2-12

Faithful friendship. Though Elisha is said to have " ministered " to Elijah ( 1 Kings 19:21 ), and to have "poured water on his hands" ( 2 Kings 3:11 ), yet he was far more Elijah's friend than his servant. There was no broad difference of rank between the two to hinder this. Rather Elisha was, in original worldly position, the higher of the two. The glimpse we get of his early home in 1 Kings 19:19-21 is indicative of comfort and wealth. In education and manners he must have been... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:3

The sons of the prophets that were at Bethel (On the expression, "sons of the prophets," see the comment upon 1 Kings 20:35 .) The institution of the "schools of the prophets," or theological colleges where young prophets were brought up, is usually assigned to Samuel, one of whose habitual residences for a part of the year was Bethel ( 1 Samuel 7:16 ). Probably he had established a "school" there which continued to this time. Came forth to Elisha, and said unto him . The students did... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:3-7

The sons of the prophets. It is surely instructive to find, even in godless Israel, these numerous bands of young men, congregated under prophetic oversight, and receiving sacred instruction. The origin of "schools of the prophets" seems traceable to Samuel ( 1 Samuel 19:20 ). But the order took a new impulse under Elijah. "The companies of the prophets now reappear, bound by a still closer connection with Elijah than they had been with Samuel. Then they were 'companies, bands, of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:4

And Elijah said unto him, Tarry here, I pray thee . The first trial of Elisha's fidelity is followed by a second. The master suggests his tarrying at Bethel, the sacred center, where he will have the company of the "sons of the prophets," and will not be companionless, as perhaps he would have been at Gilgal. He himself is ordered to take a second journey, longer and rougher than the first. For the Lord hath sent me to Jericho. Will it not be better that Elisha shall spare himself the long... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:5

And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him; Knowest thou that the Lord will take away thy master from thy head today? And he answered, Yea, I know it hold ye your peace. At Jericho, too, as well as at Bethel, there was a school of the prophets, though the two places were not more than about twenty miles apart. This would seem to imply the existence of a large number of such seminaries at this period. No doubt, when the secular power was most strongly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:6

And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the Lord hath sent me to Jordan. Elijah makes a third effort to detach his follower from him, or a third trial of his fidelity. He is ordered, not to a town, where his follower might find lodging and refreshment and companionship, but into the open country—to the Jordan. And then, who can say whither? Will it not be best for Elisha to leave him now, and not continue a wandering which threatens to be endless? But the follower is staunch;... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:1-10

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:1-14

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:1-25

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:2

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:2-12

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:3

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:3-7

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:4

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:5

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:6

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