2 Kings 2

2 Kings 2:1-8

Before Ch. II.

In this chapter, 1. Elijah is translated, after taking leave of his friends, and his miraculous passage over Jordan with Elisha, ver. 1—12. 2. Elisha appears as a prophet in his room, and divides Jordan, ver. 13, 14. 3. The sons of the prophets acknowledge him, Isch, ver. 15—18. 4. He hauls the unambiguous waters of Jericho, ver. 19—22. 5. He defrays the children of Bethel that mended him, ver. 23—25.

1. AND it came to pass, when the LORD would give, take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. 2. And Elijah said unto Elisha, “Tarry here, I pray thee: for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, ‘As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel. 3. And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel, came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knoweth thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to-day? And he said, Yea, I know it, hold you your peace. 4. And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee: for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, ‘As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho. 5. And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho, came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knoweth thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to-day? And he answered, Yea, I know it, hold you your peace. 6. And Elijah said unto him, ‘Tarry, I pray thee, here: for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, ‘As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on. 7. And they men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view atar off: and they two stood by Jordan. 8. And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapt it together, and ‘sense the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.

Elijah’s bright sun is now about to fit, or rather to rise brighter on another world of glory.

1. God gives him notice of his intended removal, not in the ordinary course of nature, but by a change sudden and glorious, that, without the pangs of death, would prepare him for his abode in that world where flesh and blood cannot enter. Note, Though we may not expect Elijah’s translation, yet, if like him, while on earth, we maintain our conversation in heaven, our passage thither will be as safe and sure through the grave, as if we were caught up thither in the whirlwind.

2. Before he is taken away, he goes to take a farewell of the school of the prophets at Bethel, the hopes of the rising generation; and, to try Elisha’s affection and adherence to him, proposes to him to stay at Gilgal; but he resolves never to forsake him. He knew the time was short he could enjoy his company, and therefore desired to improve every moment that remained by his holy conversation, and receive at half his parting benediction. Note, (1.) The rising generation is the great concern of the departing prophets, and their last breath they would gladly employ in encouraging, by their experience and dying testimony, their younger brethren to follow those happy paths that lead to life and never-ending glory. (2.) We should make the end of the conversation of those men of God, that now for a moment we enjoy; left, when they are taken from us, we should have to lament not only their loss, but our own negligence in not profiting by them as we might have done.

3. From Bethel Elijah passes to Jericho on the same errand. In both places his intended translation is known, either by revelation, or some intimation given by himself. The sons of the prophets acquaint Elisha with it; he is no stranger to it, and bids them be silent; for now his thoughts were too engaged to enter on any discourse, or this mournful theme was grievous to him. Elijah there renews his renault that he would stay; but nothing can divert him from his attendance. Note, A persevering attachment to the Prince of the prophets will be crowned at last.

4. Onward they pass to Jordan, while fifty of the sons of the prophets stood atar off to wait the altar; and Elijah’s mantle, like the rod of Moses, there opens them a passage through the waters. Note, (1.) It is very desirable to for the last of dying Christians. (2.) Through the waters of death the redeemed will find a safe passage, while the wicked will be hurried down the firean, into the gulph of eternal perdition.

5. ¶ And

Before Ch. II. God, v. 3. he bids them return, and reads Ahaziah’s certain doom, v. 4. Note, (1.) They who will not seek to God for mercy, may expect to hear from him in judgment. (2.) Neglect of God, or setting the affections on any thing on earth more than on him, is practical atheism.

1. The message being delivered, Ahaziah suspects the author, and enquiring about him, concludes from their description, v. 8. that it is Elijah.

2. Then the king ‘sent unto him a captain of fifty, with his fifty: and he went up to him (and behold, he sat on the top of an hill) and he spake unto him, Thou ‘man of God, the king hath said, Come down. 10. And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of God, ’then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And ’there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty. 11.’ Again also he sent unto him another captain of fifty, with his fifty: and he answered and said unto him, O man of God, thus hath the king said, Come down quickly. 12. And Elijah answered and said unto them, If I be a man of God, let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And the fire of God came down from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty. 13. ¶ ‘And he sent again a captain of the third fifty, with his fifty: and the third captain of fifty went up, and came and ‘fell on his knees before Elijah, and betoughe him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, ’let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight. 14. Behold, there came fire down from heaven, and burnt up the two captains of the former fifties, with their fifties: therefore let my life now be precious in thy sight. 15. And the angel of the LORD said unto Elijah, Go down with him, be not afraid of him. And he arose, and went down with him unto the king. 16. And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast sent meffengers to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekeron (is it not because there is no God in Israel to enquire of his word?) therefore thou shalt not come down off that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. 17. ¶ So he died, according to the word of the LORD which Elijah had spoken: and ‘Jehoram reigned in his Head, in the second year of ‘Jehoram the son of Jehohaphat king of Judah; because he had no son. 18. Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

2 Kings 2:9-12

Enraged at the message, Ahaziah resolves to wreak his vengeance on the prophet. Rebukes only exasperate hardened sinners.

1. He sends a captain and fifty men to seize him, who being come to Carmel, where Elijah was, bids him with authority come down, and intimates, that though he called himself a man of God, that would not be his protection. Elijah, in zeal for God’s glory, and to vindicate his mission, terribly convinces him of the truth of that character he despised. He looked to God, and outlawily a blast of lightning flew the captain and his hand. Note, (1.) They who touch God’s prophets to hurt them, touch the apple of his eye. (2.) Mockers of God’s people are little aware of the fire they are kindling.

2. With hardened insolence Ahaziah renews the attempt, and finds a captain so madly daring as to obey his orders, and command the man of God to infant submission. But the same judgment overtakes him and his men, and their dead corpses are monuments of divine vengeance.

3. With determined obstinacy, a third time the furious king sends an armed hand; but their captain justly trembling at the judgment he beheld, attempts not by force, but by entreaty, to prevail. On his bended knees he falls before the man of God, and, instead of seizing him as his prisoner, begs for his life, and the life of his attendants. Note, (1.) It is the height of madness to hasten the heart against God’s terrors. (2.) Others suffering should be our warnings. (3.) The way to prevail with God, is humbly to bow before him.

4. Elijah, at God’s command, not only spares his life, but accompanies him to the king, and, with a dignity and authority that confounded his persecutors, repeats the message he had sent in the ears of the king. Note, God can restrain the wrath of man, and, when much exposed, keep us, that not a hair of our head shall fall to the ground.

5. The event quickly verified the prediction: he died childless, after a short reign of less than two years, and is succeeded by Jehoram, his brother in iniquity as in blood, in whom ended the wicked house of Abab.

Before Christ Iph. 6. Affs i. 10. 7. Chap. vi. 11. Picture 4. Heb. i. 14. 1. Epilate chief. q. 2. Mat. ii. 18. 8. Chap. xiii. 14.

9. ¶ And it came to país when they were gone over, that Elijah faid unto Elifha, Affe what I thall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elifha faid, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy Spirit be upon me. 10. And he faid, Thou haft ashed a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it thall be so unto thee; but if not, it thall not be so. 11. And it came to país as they still went on and talked, that behold there appeared a chariot of fire, and horfs of fire, and parted them both afsinder, and 1 Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 12. ¶ And Elifha saw it, and he cried, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof!” And he saw him no more: And he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.

We have here,

1. Elifha’s parting requett to Elijah, in answer to his enquiry, what he should do for him. He begs a double portion of his Spirit, either twice as much as he humbly possessed, or double what any other of the sons of the prophets were favoured with. A haid requett, and much above human power to grant; but if he beheld him when caught up, Elijah hath him regard that as an affurance, that his requett was answered, and God would put a double portion of his Spirit upon him. Nate, (1.) They who are engaged in the work of the ministry, need beg especial supplies of the Spirit, to enable them for their arduous task. (2.) We may confidently expect, that God will prepare us for the work he hath assigned us; and as our day is, so shall our strength be. (3.) They who attend the beds of God’s departing Saints, may hope to catch a portion of their Spirit, to be strengthened by their faith, and comforted by their consolations.

2. Suddenly, as they talked, a fiery chariot appears, and horfs of fire, probably some of the cherubic hosts, employed by God in this ministry; and, in a moment, a whirlwind catches up Elijah into the chariot, and mounting through the skies, he drops his mantle and mortality together; and being changed in the twinkling of an eye, he is cloathed upon with a glorious body, fit for the place whither he is ascending. Nate, The same bright munitters of flame, that thus caught up the favoured prophet, with like affiduous care attend the departing spirits of all the faithful, and transport them safe to the Paradise of God.

3. Parted from his dearest friend, Elifha with piercing eyes, follow him to the skies, lamenting his own and the people’s loss. He rends his garments, and mourns over Israel, as if their hope and strength was fled, v. 12. Nate, (1.) A faithful minister departed, is a great loss to the Israel of God. (2.) They are our fathers in the best sense, who have begotten us in the gospel of Christ. (3.) Death will separate dearest friends. (4.) When we have lost our brethren in Jesus, it should quicken our eagerness to secure a portion with them, that we may meet again, never to part, in the eternal world.

1 Vir. 8. m Chap. iv. 37. 9. Heb. Sons of Strength. a 1 Kings avoc. 12. Zach. viii. 3. Affs viii. 39.

13. He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; 14. And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and ‘smoot the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elifha went over. 15. And when the sons of the prophets which were so view at Jericho, saw him, they said, The Spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elifha. And they came to meet him, and ‘bowed themselves to the ground before him: 16. ¶ And they said unto him, Behold now, there be with thy servants fifty + strong men, let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy mafter: lest peradventure ’the Spirit of the LORD hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, ‘I shall not send. 17. And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not. 18. And when they came again to him (for he tarried at Jericho) he said unto them, Did not I say unto you, Go not?

2 Kings 2:13-18

Elijah is gone, but Elifha remains. When God remains one light from his church, he can raise up another to supply his place.

1. Elifha with delight gathers up the mantle which fell from his departed father: he loved it since the day it was first cast over him, and not only for his sake preferred it, but as the earnest of his petition being granted, received it with despotful thanksfulness, and wore it as successful in office to the great prophet, who had left it behind him. Nate, (1.) That taken given us by our departed friends, which flirs us up to imitate

their virtues, is truly valuable. (2.) They who wear the livery of a prophet, should read in their very closets the obligations lying on them to discharge with diligence their weighed office.

2. Cloathed now with Elijah’s Spirit, as well as mantle, he returns to the waters of Jordan, and there in faith in making the Lord God of Elijah, smitten the waters, and they divide. Where is he? he cries; Aph-ha follows in the original. Here he is, rove he, as immediately answering to the call. Nate, (1.) Even whilst the prayer of faith is unicing, God will answer. (2.) They who walk in Elijah’s Spirit, will find with them the presence and power of Elijah’s God.

3. The sons of the prophets, who beheld the miracle, received with deep respect the returning prophet, as Elijah’s appointed successors. Nate, It is not material, whence a man came, or what hath been his education; if God endures him with eminent gifts, and eminent graces, even the sons of prophets need think it no dishonour to bow before him.

4. They requett Elifha to make search after Elijah, suggesting he might be only caught away for a time; so, if his Spirit was gone, that his body might be dropped unburied. Elifha diffuses them from the fruitless task, but their importunity exerts a reluctant permission, left he should form not respectful to his mafter, or unwilling to resign to him his office. At their return he gently reproves their folly, as a memorial to them afterwards to be more observant of his advice. Nate, For others satisfaction, it is kind and charitable to yield sometimes, even to what we know to be fruitless.

5. ¶ And the men of the city said unto Elifha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord feeth: but the water is nought, and the ground barren. 20. And he said, Bring me a new cruce, and put salt therein. And they brought it to him. 21. And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and ‘call the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters; ’there shall not be from thence any more death, or barren land. 22. So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elifha which he spake. 23. ¶ And he went up from thence unto Beth-el: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth ’little children out of the city, and ‘mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald-head, go up thou bald-head. 24. And he turned back and looked on them, and ‘curled them in the name of the LORD: and there came forth two she-bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them. 25. And he went from thence to mount Carmel, and from thence he returned to Samaria.

2 Kings 2:19

Elifha, being returned in the spirit of Elijah, multiplied miracles to confirm his divine mission.

1. At the request of the men of Jericho, he heals their waters. They were bitter, unwholesome, and made the evil barren. It was either so in general, or perhaps the case of a particular spot only, near the school of the prophets. He calls for some salt and a new cruce; not that there was any virtue in these, more than in the clay which our Lord put on the eyes of the blind, but to prove their obedience. With such he goes to the fountain-head, calls in the salt, and in the name of the Lord commands the cure, which is in that as his word. Nate, (1.) Opportunity must not be lost; whilst we have a prophet among us, let us employ him. (2.) Few people think how ill they could spare the most common necessities; we could much better want every other liquor, than he without wholesome water. (3.) Nothing but the salt of divine grace can sweeten the bitterness, or heal the barrenness, of the corrupted heart. (4.) It is every prophet’s labour to call in this salt, and that not merely into the firemen, for perfect reformation, but into the spring, in order to abiding conversion. (5.) Though the prophet speaks, it is God alone that works. (6.) They who have tailed of God’s healing grace, will make it manifest in the fruitfulness of their lives.

2. Another miracle of a different kind marked his return to Carmel. As he passed through Beth-el, where another school of prophets lay, some children, Nourian, young persons, mocked him. The idol cast had there the general sway, and they hated those who were jealous to rebuke their sins. They cried in durfions, Go up, follow your mafter, and let us be rid of you both; and because his head was bald, derided the deformity. With a look of indignation he turned upon them, not in anger for the personal affront, but in holy displeasure at their contempt and dishonour of God, and by a divine impulse from him, denounced upon them the curle they had provoked; the executioners of which are near, two bears rushing from a neighbouring wood, tore to pieces forty-two of these insolent mocks, and changed their founts into dying groans. Nate, (1.) It is no new thing for prophets to be abused, even in the streets, and the children taught of their ungodly parents

to point at and hoot them. (2.) It is a high reflection upon God, to reproach any man with his natural defects or infirmities. (3.) Wicked children should read and tremble at this judgment.

3. Having visited Carmel, Elijah’s late residence, and where might be another school of prophets, he went to Samaria, the metropolis, to testify against their idolatry, where it was most confronted under the royal fandom. Note, Where iniquity must reign, and the largest field is open to labour for God, there is the zealous prophet’s call.