WHEN THE LORD.. ELIJAH] The only parallel to this narrative in the OT. is the account of the translation of Enoch in Genesis 5:24. The mention (in 2 Chronicles 21:12) of a letter from Elijah in the reign of Jehoram has led some to think that the event related in this chapter is placed out of its pro... [ Continue Reading ]
ELIJAH'S TRANSLATION TO HEAVEN The great service rendered to Israel by the prophet whose life is here closed was the stand which he made for the religion of Jehovah when its supremacy was threatened by the worship of the Zidonian Baal introduced by Jezebel. In view of such a crisis, the degradation... [ Continue Reading ]
TARRY HERE] Elijah may have wished to spare Elisha the awe-inspiring vision of his departure. THE SONS OF THE PROPHETS] see on 1 Kings 20:35.... [ Continue Reading ]
KNOWEST THOU, etc.] Knowledge of Elijah's impending departure seems to have prevailed both at Bethel and Jericho.... [ Continue Reading ]
A DOUBLE PORTION] i.e. the share of the firstborn son (Deuteronomy 21:17), twice as much as that of any of the other 'sons' of the prophet. Elisha wished to be, in spiritual power, the chief among Elijah's disciples and successors.... [ Continue Reading ]
A CHARIOT OF FIRE] cp. 2 Kings 6:17.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE chariot OF ISRAEL] The words are probably a figure to describe the prophet, who in virtue of the supernatural powers that were at his service had been to Israel a greater protection than its military forces: cp. the similar expression used of Elisha in 2 Kings 13:14. RENT THEM] a usual token of... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MANTLE] The symbol of prophetic authority: see 2 Kings 1:8, and cp. 1 Kings 19:19.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD] some strong impulse of divine origin: cp. 1 Kings 18:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
TILL HE WAS ASHAMED] i.e. to persist in further refusal.... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS CITY] Jericho (2 Kings 2:18). THE WATER] not of the Jordan but of an affluent of it, the modern Ain es Sultan.... [ Continue Reading ]
SALT] a preservative and a symbol of wholesomeness and purity: cp. Matthew 5:13.... [ Continue Reading ]
UNTO THIS DAY] see on 1 Kings 8:8.... [ Continue Reading ]
LITTLE children] RM 'young lads' Bethel, one of the seats of the calf-worship, was at a later date a royal chapel (Amos 7:13), and perhaps enjoyed the same distinction in Elijah's day; and the prophet, by his zeal for the Lord, may have there incurred popular resentment, of which the mockery here de... [ Continue Reading ]
CURSED THEM] see on 1 Kings 16:34; Elisha seems to have shared the fiery disposition of his master Elijah (2 Kings 1:10), and the spirit he manifested on this occasion stands in impressive contrast with that enjoined and exemplified by our Lord (Matthew 5:44; Luke 23:34). SHE BEARS] for the presence... [ Continue Reading ]