2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 Kings 2:11 chariots of fire and horses of fire. The divine army, last seen waging war on Ahab (1 Kings 22:1), has come for Elijah. Elisha took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces. This is perhaps part of a mourning ritual (compare Genesis 37:34; 2 Samuel 13:30), but it also suggests leaving his old life behind, as he picks up the cloak of Elijah. Compare 1 Kings 19:19, where Elijah threw his cloak upon Elisha to symbolize his being called to be a prophet.

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