2 Kings 2

Elia divideth the Jordan, v.1. &c. he granteth Elisa his request on a certain condition, and ascendeth into heaven in a fiery charet, 9. Elisa divideth the Jordan also, 13. is acknowledged to be a Prophet by the children of the Prophets, 15. who seek elia, but in vain, 16. Elia healeth the waters at Jericho 19. He curseth certain children, that mockingly cryed after him, and are devoured by two bears, 23.

1. Now it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elia into heaven by a tempest; that Elia went with Elisa from Gilgal. [See of this place, Deut.11, 30. Jos.4.19. and 5.9.]

2. And Elia said unto Elisa; tarry here, I pray; [He giveth this in charge to try Elisa, or out of an holy humility to hide and conceal the manner of his taking up, it being not revealed to him, that Elisa was to be present at it] for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel, [see of this city, Gen.12.on vers.8.] but Elisa said; (as of true as) the LORD liveth, and soul liveth; I will not leave thee: [i.e. as it is true, that the Lord liveth, and that thou livest, so true it is also that I will not part from thee. This is here properly no oath, respect of the second branch or member, but an asseveration of that which he faith by comparing it with somewhat else, which is out of doubt. So in the sequel, and 1 Sam.1. 26. and 25.26. and below chap.4.30, &c. Heb. if I shall leave thee! So v.4, 6.] So they went down to Bethel.

3. Then the sons of the Prophets, [See 1 Kings 20.on v.35.] that were at Bethel, went, forth to Elisa, and said unto him; knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy Lord [namely, Elia, whose discipline and servant Elisa was] from thine head [Heb. from upon, or over thine head: that is, from thee. They speak thus, looking at the manner of sitting in the schools, where the master or teacher, sitting in an high or exalted place, had his disciples heads at his feet, so that the parting from them, went as it were away from their heads. Compare Deu.33.3. below chap.4.38. and Acts 22:3.] to day? And he said; I also know it well, [they and Elisa knew this, doubtless by Gods revelation, and by the spirit of prophecy] hold you your peace.

4. And Elisa said unto him, Elisa tarry here, I pray: for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho: [A city lying in the tribe of Benjamin, not far from the Jordan. It is surnamed the Palm-city, Deut,34.3. See the annot.] but he said; (as true as) the LORD liveth, and thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee: so they came to Jericho.

5. Then the sons of the Prophets which were at Jericho [Hence it appeareth that the Prophets had their Colleges in many cities, wherein young Prophets and Teachers were trained up for the converting of back sliding Israel] stepped to Elisa, and said unto him, knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy Lord from thine head to day? And he said, I also know it well, hold you your peace.

6. And Elia said unto him, tarry here I pray, for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan; but he said; (as true as) the LORD liveth, and thy soul liveth, I will not forsake thee: and they both went on.

7. And fifty men of the sons of the Prophets went, and stood over against (them) afar off: [viz. to see and observed what would befall the prophet Elia] and they both stood by the Jordan.

8. Then Elia took his mantle, and wept (it) together and smote the water; and it was divided hither and thither: and they both went thorough it on dry (ground).

9. Now it came to pass, when they were got over, that Elia said unto Elisa: ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee: And Elisa said: I pray thee, let two parts of thy spirit be upon me. [Heb. the mouth of two, in, or of thy spirit, upon, or to me. That is, the part of two; which is two parts. The word mouth is taken for the part of any thing, Deu.21.17. Zach.13.8. The meaning is, as if he had said: Seeing thou, my father, leavest many children, that is, young Prophets behind, who will all stand in need of a part of thy gifts, therefore my request is, I that I may have parts, that is, that my part may be double to theirs, I being as thy first-born, and chiefest disciple, that must succeed in thy room. Others take the double portion in respect, and in comparison of Elisa, so that Elisa should have desired to have once again as much of the Prophetical gifts, as Elia had. Elisa’s request may be also simply thus understood, that he desired the two kinds of Prophetical gifts, wherein Elia was very eminent above other Prophets, which were, First, the foretelling of things to come. Secondly, the working of great miracles. Or else he understandeth that part or portion of prophecy, which Elia had, which was twofold, that is, exceeding great, in respect of many other Prophets.]

10. And he said; thou hast asked a hard thing: [Heb. thou hast made the matter hard by asking. Hard is taken in this place for that which men cannot, but God only can give, yea and doth give very seldom] if thou shalt see me when I am taken away from thee, [Heb. shalt see from being taken away from thee] it shall so come to pass unto thee; but if not, it shall not come to pass. [this is propounded to him as a token of that which God would do touching his request, that in the mean while he might long with servant prayers for the fulfilling of the token, and have received it, might a new be strengthened and confirmed in the call of his prophetical office.]

11. And it came to pass, when they went on, going and talking, behold, there was then a fiery charets with fiery horses, [Guided and governed by the Holy Angels. Compare below chap.6.17.] which made a partition between them both both: so Elia went up by a tempest to Heaven.

12. And Elisa saw it, and he cryed: My Father, my Father, [So he calleth his master, out of love and reverence: as also on the other side disciples and scholars are called sons of their masters. See 1 Kings 20:3 5. and the annotate. thereon] the charet of Israel, and the horsemen thereof; [i.e. the power and strength of Israel, which in war lay most in charets and horsemen, The meaning is, that there was more strength for the lands defence, in Elia’s doctrine, prayers and works, then in the power of war. Compare below chap.13.14.] and he saw him no more: and he took hold of his (own) cloathes, and rent them in two pieces. [Heb. rents, viz. in token of sorrow and grief for the loss of his master. See Gen.37.on v.29.]

13. He took up also Elia’s mantle, that was fallen down from him; and went back, and stood by the bank of the Jordan.

14. And be took the mantle of Elia that was fallen down from him; and smote the water and said; where is the LORD the God of Elia? [viz. who in a like action had immediately before by Elia manifested his power in dividing the waters See above v.8.] yea the same, and he smote the water and it was divided hither and thither and Elisa went thorough it.

15. Now when the children of the Prophets which were over against at Jericho, saw him, then they said, the spirit of Elia resteth on Elisa: and they came to meet him, and bowed themselves down to the ground before him. [Giving him civil honour and respect, as a Prophet come in Elia’s room, and abundantly furnished with his Prophetical gifts. Gen.18.on v.2.]

16. And they said unto him, behold now, there are with thy servants [i.e. with us, who are ready to serve thee] fifty valiant [or, strong] men, [Heb. men, [Heb. men, sons of valour, strength. Understand such as were sit to undertake this journey, and this work] let them go, we pray, and seek thy LORD, left peradvernture the spirit of the LORD hath taken him up, and cast him upon one of the mountains, or into one of the valleys: [they thought that he was not taken away from them forever, but only for certain days. Compare 1 Kings 18. the annotat.on v. 12.] but he said , send not. [for he knew certainly, that he was both in body and soul taken up to God into heaven.]

17. But they were instant with him, even unto shame, [This may fitly be understand of Elisa, for being so long entreated before he would yield: although it may also be understood of the sons of the Prophets, because they were sain to entreat so long while, and so much] and he said; and they sent fifty men, who sought three days, but found him not.

18. Then they came to him again, while he tarried at Jericho; and he said them; did I not say unto you, go not?

19. And the men of the city said unto Elisa; Behold, now the dwelling of this city is good, according as my Lord seeth, but the water is bad, and the land barren. [i.e. The land brings not the fruits of the Earth to maturity and ripeness, yea, its also hurtful to the lives of men and beasts, and likewise to the fruit of their body, whereby the land is bare and left desolate of inhabitants: at which the Hebrew word looketh, signifying bereaving of children, men, and whatever is dear unto man.]

20. And he said; bring me [Heb. take me; that is, take it and bring it to me. See Gen.12 on v.15.] a new bowl, and put salt therein: and they brought it to him.

21. Then he went forth to the water well, and cast the salt therein: and said; Thus saith the LORD; I have healed this water; there shall be no more death, [On men and beasts] nor barrenness [to wit, not only on men and beasts, but also on the land, and the fruits of the Earth. See above on ver.19.] from thence.

22. So that water was healed unto this day: according to the word of Elisa, which he had spoken.

23. And he went up from thence unto Bethel: Now as he went up the way, there came little boys out of the city, which mocked him, and said unto him, bald-paie [Heb. bald; that is, who is bald] go up, bald-paie up. [they mocked him thus, not only out of contempt of his person, because he was bald, but also of his of his office, because he was a Prophet of the Lord, and consequently a continual reprove of idolatry, which these boys from their infancy had sucked in, and was so practised in Bethel, that the Prophets called this city Bethaven, that is, the house of vanity and wickedness, Hos.4.15. Amos 5:5.]

24. And he turned himself back, and looked on them, and cursed them [Not out of hatred of their persons, but of their idolatry, which they had so exceedingly loved, that ever since they had any knowledge or understanding, they were taught and accustomed to hate the true God and his faithful ministers with a deadly hatred] in the name of the LORD: [i.e. by command and inspiration of the Lord, or with calling upon his name. To do any thing in the name of the Lord, is to do it, First, by command, charge and motion, or compulsion of God, Deut.18.19. 2 Chron.33.18. Job.5.43. Secondly, with confidence on God, and with calling on his name, Psa.44.6. and 63.5. Thirdly, for Gods sake, or because of him, Mat.18.5. Fourthly, to the glory of God, Col.3.17.] Then there came forth two bears out of the wood, and tare two and fourty children of them.

25. And h went from thence to mount Carmel; [See 1 Kings 18.on v.19.] and from thence he returned to Samaria.