Bible Commentaries
2 Kings 2

Introduction

Overview

2 Kings 2:1, Elijah, taking his leave of Elisha, with his mantle divides Jordan; 2 Kings 2:9, and, granting Elisha his request, is taken up by a fiery chariot into heaven; 2 Kings 2:12, Elisha, dividing Jordan with Elijah’s mantle, is acknowledged his successor; 2 Kings 2:16, The young prophets, hardly obtaining leave to seek Elijah, cannot find him; 2 Kings 2:19, Elisha with salt heals the unwholesome waters; 2 Kings 2:23, Bears destroy the children that mocked Elisha.

Verse 1

take up: Genesis 5:24, 1 Kings 19:4, Luke 9:51, Acts 1:9, Hebrews 11:5, Revelation 11:12

by a whirlwind: 1 Kings 18:12, 1 Kings 19:11, Job 38:1

Elisha: 1 Kings 19:16-21

Gilgal: Joshua 4:19, Joshua 5:9

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:46 - an heap 2 Kings 2:11 - by a whirlwind 2 Kings 4:38 - Elisha 2 Chronicles 21:12 - a writing Luke 2:15 - into

Verse 2

Tarry here: Ruth 1:15, Ruth 1:16, 2 Samuel 15:19, 2 Samuel 15:20, John 6:67, John 6:68

As the Lord: 2 Kings 2:4, 2 Kings 2:6, 2 Kings 4:30, 1 Samuel 1:26, 1 Samuel 17:55, 1 Samuel 25:26, Jeremiah 4:2

I will not: Ruth 1:16-18, 2 Samuel 15:21, 1 John 2:19

Bethel: Genesis 28:19, 1 Kings 12:29, 1 Kings 12:33, 1 Kings 13:1, 1 Kings 13:2

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 20:3 - but truly 2 Samuel 14:19 - As thy soul Amos 2:11 - I raised

Verse 3

And the sons: 2 Kings 2:5, 2 Kings 2:7, 2 Kings 2:15, 2 Kings 4:1, 2 Kings 4:38, 2 Kings 9:1, 1 Samuel 10:10-12, 1 Samuel 19:20, 1 Kings 18:4, 1 Kings 20:35, Isaiah 8:18

thy master: Deuteronomy 33:3, Acts 22:3

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 10:5 - a company 1 Kings 19:21 - ministered 2 Kings 5:22 - the sons 2 Kings 6:1 - the sons Psalms 74:8 - all the synagogues Amos 7:14 - neither 1 Corinthians 14:32 - General

Verse 4

Jericho: Joshua 6:26, 1 Kings 16:34, Luke 19:1

As the Lord: 2 Kings 2:2, 2 Kings 4:30, Acts 2:42, Acts 11:23

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 1:26 - as thy soul 1 Samuel 20:3 - but truly 2 Samuel 15:21 - As the Lord

Verse 5

the sons: i.e. as the Targumist renders, talmeedey neveeya, "disciples of the prophets,"

thy master: 2 Kings 2:3, Joshua 1:1, Joshua 1:2, Luke 24:51, John 17:5-7, Acts 1:2, Acts 1:11, Acts 26:25

I know it: Genesis 48:19, Ecclesiastes 3:7, Isaiah 41:1, Habakkuk 2:20

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 10:5 - a company 1 Kings 20:35 - of the sons 2 Kings 4:1 - sons Psalms 74:8 - all the synagogues Amos 7:14 - neither 1 Corinthians 14:32 - General Revelation 11:12 - and their

Verse 6

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 1:26 - as thy soul 1 Samuel 20:3 - but truly 2 Samuel 15:21 - As the Lord 2 Kings 2:2 - As the Lord 2 Chronicles 7:12 - an house of sacrifice Zechariah 8:23 - We will

Verse 7

fifty men: 2 Kings 2:17, 1 Kings 18:4, 1 Kings 18:13

to view afar off: Heb. in sight, or over against

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 20:35 - of the sons 2 Kings 2:3 - And the sons 2 Kings 2:15 - to view Amos 7:14 - neither Revelation 11:12 - and their

Verse 8

his mantle: חם לחכשפחם בץפןץ, his sheep skin, says the Septuagint; the skins of sheep being formerly worn by prophets as the simple insignia of their office. See note on 2 Kings 1:8. 1 Kings 19:13, 1 Kings 19:19

were: 2 Kings 2:14, Exodus 14:21, Exodus 14:22, Joshua 3:14-17, Psalms 114:5-7, Isaiah 11:15, Hebrews 11:29, Revelation 16:12

Reciprocal: Joshua 3:17 - stood firm 1 Samuel 28:14 - a mantle 2 Kings 2:13 - the mantle 2 Kings 4:29 - lay my staff 2 Kings 5:12 - better Psalms 74:15 - flood Ezekiel 27:24 - clothes Zechariah 10:11 - smite

Verse 9

Ask what: 2 Kings 13:14-19, Numbers 27:16-23, Deuteronomy 34:9, 1 Chronicles 29:18, 1 Chronicles 29:19, Psalms 72:1, Psalms 72:20, Luke 24:45-51, John 17:9-13, Acts 1:8, Acts 8:17, Acts 20:25-36

Elisha said: Numbers 11:17, Numbers 11:25, 1 Kings 3:9, 2 Chronicles 1:9, 2 Chronicles 1:10, John 14:12-14, John 16:7, 1 Corinthians 12:31

a double portion: This probably refers to the law respecting the first-born, who had a double portion of the property of his father. As Elisha may have considered himself as the first-born of Elijah, so he requested a double portion of his spiritual influence. Numbers 27:20, Deuteronomy 21:17, Zechariah 9:12, Zechariah 12:8, 1 Timothy 5:17

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 1:37 - and make 2 Kings 4:2 - What shall I Proverbs 30:7 - have Isaiah 61:7 - your shame John 3:34 - for God

Verse 10

Thou hast: Mark 11:22-24, John 16:24

asked a hard thing: Heb. done hard in asking

if thou see: 2 Kings 2:12, Acts 1:9, Acts 1:10

Reciprocal: Numbers 27:20 - put some 2 Kings 20:10 - General

Verse 11

2 Kings 6:17, Psalms 68:17, Psalms 104:3, Psalms 104:4, Ezekiel 1:4-28, Ezekiel 10:9-22, Habakkuk 3:8, Zechariah 3:8, Zechariah 6:1-8, Hebrews 1:14

by a whirlwind: 2 Kings 2:1

into heaven: Mark 16:19

Reciprocal: Genesis 5:24 - for Judges 13:20 - when the flame 1 Kings 18:12 - the Spirit of the Lord 1 Kings 19:4 - he requested 1 Kings 19:12 - a fire 2 Kings 2:23 - Go up 2 Chronicles 21:12 - Elijah the prophet Job 38:1 - General Ezekiel 10:18 - and stood Matthew 17:3 - Elias Mark 9:4 - Elias Luke 2:15 - into Luke 9:51 - that Luke 24:51 - he was Acts 1:10 - while 1 Thessalonians 4:17 - caught Hebrews 1:7 - Who Hebrews 11:5 - translated Revelation 11:12 - And they

Verse 12

saw it: 2 Kings 2:10

My father: 2 Kings 13:14, Job 22:30, Proverbs 11:11, Ecclesiastes 7:19, Ecclesiastes 9:16-18, Isaiah 37:4, Isaiah 37:15, Isaiah 37:21, Acts 27:24

he saw him: Proverbs 30:4, Mark 16:19, Luke 2:15, Luke 24:51, John 3:13, Acts 1:9, 2 Corinthians 5:2, 2 Corinthians 5:4, Ephesians 4:8, Revelation 11:12

rent them: Job 1:20, Job 1:21, Isaiah 57:1, Isaiah 57:2, Acts 8:2

Reciprocal: Exodus 20:12 - Honour 2 Samuel 1:27 - weapons 2 Kings 5:13 - My father 2 Kings 6:10 - saved 2 Kings 6:21 - My father Matthew 23:9 - call Mark 9:4 - Elias Acts 1:10 - while

Verse 13

the mantle: 2 Kings 2:8, 1 Kings 19:19

bank: Heb. lip, 1 Kings 9:26

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 28:14 - a mantle Ezekiel 47:7 - bank

Verse 14

smote: 2 Kings 2:8-10, Joshua 1:1-9, Mark 16:20, John 14:12, Acts 2:33, Acts 3:12, Acts 3:13

Where is: Judges 6:13, 1 Kings 18:36-39, Psalms 42:2, Psalms 42:10, Psalms 115:2, Joel 2:17

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:12 - O Lord 1 Samuel 28:14 - a mantle 1 Kings 19:19 - his mantle 2 Kings 3:12 - The word 2 Kings 4:29 - take my 2 Kings 5:12 - better 2 Kings 8:4 - all the great Psalms 74:15 - flood Jeremiah 2:6 - Where Hosea 9:8 - with Zechariah 10:11 - smite

Verse 15

to view: 2 Kings 2:7

The spirit: Numbers 11:25-29, Numbers 27:20, Joshua 3:7, Isaiah 11:2, Isaiah 59:21, John 15:26, John 15:27, Acts 1:8, 2 Corinthians 12:9, 1 Peter 4:14

bowed: 2 Kings 2:19, 2 Kings 4:1-4, 2 Kings 4:37, 2 Kings 6:1-7, Joshua 4:14

Reciprocal: Genesis 18:2 - bowed Numbers 11:17 - I will take Deuteronomy 34:9 - full of the spirit 1 Samuel 10:5 - a company 1 Samuel 25:9 - ceased 1 Kings 20:35 - of the sons 2 Kings 2:3 - And the sons 2 Kings 3:12 - The word 2 Kings 8:7 - The man of God

Verse 16

strong men: Heb. sons of strength

the Spirit: 1 Kings 18:12, Ezekiel 3:14, Ezekiel 8:3, Ezekiel 11:24, Ezekiel 40:2, Acts 8:39, 2 Corinthians 12:2, 2 Corinthians 12:3

some mountain: Heb. one of the mountains

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 3:12 - spirit Ezekiel 11:1 - the spirit Ezekiel 37:1 - carried Ezekiel 43:5 - the spirit Matthew 4:1 - of the spirit John 8:21 - I go 1 Thessalonians 4:17 - caught Hebrews 11:5 - and was Revelation 17:3 - he carried Revelation 21:10 - he carried

Verse 17

they urged: 2 Samuel 18:22, 2 Samuel 18:23, Luke 11:8, Romans 10:2

found him not: Hebrews 11:5

Reciprocal: Genesis 33:11 - urged him 2 Kings 2:7 - fifty men 2 Kings 5:23 - And he urged him John 8:21 - I go

Verse 18

Reciprocal: Luke 19:1 - Jericho

Verse 19

my Lord seeth: Numbers 12:11, 1 Kings 18:7, 1 Kings 18:13, 1 Timothy 5:17

the water: Exodus 7:19, Exodus 15:23, Joshua 6:17, Joshua 6:26, 1 Kings 16:34

barren: Heb. causing to miscarry, Exodus 23:26, Deuteronomy 28:2-4, Deuteronomy 28:11, Deuteronomy 28:15-18, Hosea 9:14

Reciprocal: Joshua 16:1 - the water 2 Kings 2:15 - bowed 2 Kings 4:16 - my lord Ezekiel 47:8 - the waters James 3:12 - so Revelation 8:10 - the fountains

Verse 20

salt therein: Judges 9:45, Ezekiel 47:11, Zephaniah 2:9

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 8:4 - all the great 2 Kings 20:7 - Take a lump Colossians 4:6 - seasoned

Verse 21

cast: 2 Kings 4:41, 2 Kings 6:6, Exodus 15:25, Exodus 15:26, Leviticus 2:13, Matthew 5:11, Mark 9:50, John 9:6

I have healed: Ezekiel 47:8-11, 1 Corinthians 1:18-28, Revelation 22:2, Revelation 22:3

there shall: Psalms 107:33-38, Revelation 21:4

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 3:12 - The word 2 Kings 5:10 - wash Hosea 9:8 - with

Verse 23

Bethel: 1 Kings 12:28-32, Hosea 4:15, Hosea 10:5, Hosea 10:15, Amos 3:14, Amos 4:4, Amos 5:5, Amos 7:13

little children: The words nearim ketannim not only signify little children but young men; for katon signifies not only little, but young, in opposition to old; and naar signifies not only a child, but a young man grown to years of maturity. Thus Isaac is called naar when twenty-eight years old, Joseph when thirty-nine, and Rehoboam when forty. These idolatrous young men, having heard of the ascension of Elijah, without believing it, blasphemously bade Elisha to follow him. The venerable prophet, from a Divine impulse, pronounced a curse "in the name of the Lord," which was immediately followed by the most terrible judgment; thus evincing the Source from which it flowed. Job 19:18, Job 30:1, Job 30:8-31, Proverbs 20:11, Proverbs 22:6, Proverbs 22:15, Ecclesiastes 11:10, Isaiah 1:4, Isaiah 3:5, Jeremiah 7:18

mocked: Genesis 21:9, 2 Chronicles 36:16, Job 30:1, Job 30:8, Job 30:9, Psalms 35:15, Isaiah 57:3, Isaiah 57:4, Galatians 4:29, Hebrews 11:36

Go up: 2 Kings 2:11, Matthew 27:29-31, Matthew 27:40-43

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 19:17 - Elisha slay 2 Kings 1:10 - If I be a man Jeremiah 20:7 - I am 2 Corinthians 13:8 - General

Verse 24

cursed them: 2 Kings 1:10-12, Genesis 9:25, Deuteronomy 28:15-26, Judges 9:20, Judges 9:57, Jeremiah 28:16, Jeremiah 29:21-23, Lamentations 3:65, Amos 7:17, Mark 11:14, Mark 11:21, Acts 5:5, Acts 5:9, Acts 8:20, Acts 13:9-11, 2 Corinthians 10:6

she bears: 2 Samuel 17:8, Proverbs 17:12, Proverbs 28:15, Hosea 13:8

children of them: Exodus 20:5, 1 Kings 13:24, 1 Kings 19:17, 1 Kings 20:36

Reciprocal: Genesis 21:9 - mocking Genesis 37:20 - Some Genesis 37:33 - evil beast Leviticus 26:6 - rid Leviticus 26:22 - rob you 2 Kings 3:12 - The word 2 Kings 8:4 - all the great 2 Kings 17:25 - the Lord sent Daniel 7:5 - another Revelation 13:2 - and his feet

Verse 25

mount Carmel: 2 Kings 4:25, 1 Kings 18:19, 1 Kings 18:42

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 3:12 - Israel