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Matthew Henry

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

John Gill

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

And Elijah said unto Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee ,.... Seemingly unwilling he should go with him, and be present at his assumption; which was either out of modesty, not affecting the spread of the honour and glory to be conferred upon him; or to prevent the grief of Elisha at his departure, or to try whether Elisha knew any thing of it, and what affection he had for him: for the Lord hath sent me to Bethel ; to give some comfort and some instruction and advice to the college of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:3

And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel ,.... Or the disciples of them, as the Targum; here, though a place where one of Jeroboam's calves was set up, was a school of the prophets, perhaps founded by Elijah as a nursery for religion, and a check upon the idolatry of the times: came forth to Elisha; out of their college: and said unto him, knowest thou that the Lord will take away thy master from thy head today ? who was, as Abarbinel observes, the crown and glory of his head; or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:4

And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee ,.... At Bethel: for the Lord hath sent me to Jericho ; to the school of the prophets there, to strengthen, encourage, and advise them: and he said, as the lord liveth , &c; using the same form of oath as before: so they came to Jericho ; together, which, as the above writer says F9 Travels, &c.; p. 205. , was four miles from Bethel. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:5

And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho ,.... For though this place was lately rebuilt under a curse to the builder, yet was blessed with a school of the prophets: whose disciples came to Elisha, and said unto him; as in 2 Kings 2:3 and to whom he made the same reply. 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 2:2

Tarry here , I pray thee - He either made these requests through humility, not wishing any person to be witness of the honor conferred on him by God, or with the desire to prove the fidelity of Elisha, whether he would continue to follow and serve him. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 2:3

Knowest thou that the Lord - Thus we see that it was a matter well known to all the sons of the prophets. This day the Lord will take thy master and instructer from thee. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:1-6

Preparative to translation. The time had come when the Lord would take Elijah up in a whirlwind into heaven. It was a singular honor to be put upon a singularly great and good man. No case had happened like it since the days of Enoch—that other great prophet, who maintained a witness for God amidst the all but universal wickedness of antediluvian times (Jud 2 Kings 1:14 ). No other would happen till the ascension of Christ. We observe— I. THE PROPHET 'S MOVEMENTS . It is to be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:1-8

Parting visits. Here, through the telescope of Scripture story, we are permitted to witness the closing scene of a great life. Let us draw near and look carefully at what happens there, for the like of it only happened once before—and of that we have little record—and it has never happened since. Only two men, Enoch and Elijah, went straight from earth to heaven without passing through the valley of death. It was true of Elijah as well as of Enoch, that " he walked with God." It is a... read more

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