2 KINGS 2

ELIJAH’S DEPARTURE + ELISHA’S LEADERSHIP

Elijah and Elisha, the two prophets, travel to Bethel, Jericho, and the Jordan River together. With his cloak, Elijah is able to part the water of the Jordan River for them to cross, similar to Moses and Joshua (Exodus 14, Joshua 3).

Knowing his time with Elisha is short, Elijah asks what he could provide for Elisha before his departure. Elisha asks for a double portion of God’s spirit upon him, so that he could continue lead and prophecy in the same way as Elijah.

Just as Elijah predicted, he is taken away with a fiery chariot sent by God. Elijah was not thought to be dead, but instead taken up to heaven. As he is carried away, his cloak is left behind and Elisha is able to part the river, just as Elijah had done.

Fifty men set out to find Elijah, but are unsuccessful. Elisha is seen as Elijah’s successor as a prophet in Israel. Elisha adds salt to water, making it clean, as a sign of his desire to purify God’s nation.

Later on, many young boys mock Elisha for his baldness. The young boys are then attacked and eaten by bears.