9 And it came to pass, when they were gone over, H5674 that Elijah H452 said H559 unto Elisha, H477 Ask H7592 what I shall do H6213 for thee, before I be taken away H3947 from thee. And Elisha H477 said, H559 I pray thee, let a double H8147 portion H6310 of thy spirit H7307 be upon me.
But he shall acknowledge H5234 the son H1121 of the hated H8130 for the firstborn, H1060 by giving H5414 him a double H8147 portion H6310 of all that he hath: H4672 for he is the beginning H7225 of his strength; H202 the right H4941 of the firstborn H1062 is his.
And the LORD H3068 came down H3381 in a cloud, H6051 and spake H1696 unto him, and took H680 of the spirit H7307 that was upon him, and gave H5414 it unto the seventy H7657 elders: H2205 H376 and it came to pass, that, when the spirit H7307 rested H5117 upon them, they prophesied, H5012 and did not cease. H3254
Verily, G281 verily, G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 He that believeth G4100 on G1519 me, G1691 the works G2041 that G3739 I G1473 do G4160 shall he do G4160 also; G2548 and G2532 greater works than G3187 these G5130 shall he do; G4160 because G3754 I G1473 go G4198 unto G4314 my G3450 Father. G3962 And G3739 G2532 whatsoever G3748 G302 ye shall ask G154 in G1722 my G3450 name, G3686 that G5124 will I do, G4160 that G2443 the Father G3962 may be glorified G1392 in G1722 the Son. G5207 If G1437 ye shall ask G154 any thing G5100 in G1722 my G3450 name, G3686 I G1473 will do G4160 it.
And G2532 now, G3568 behold, G2400 I G1473 know G1492 that G3754 ye G5210 all, G3956 among G1722 whom G3739 I have gone G1330 preaching G2784 the kingdom G932 of God, G2316 shall see G3700 my G3450 face G4383 no more. G3765 Wherefore G1352 I take G3143 you G5213 to record G3143 this G1722 G4594 day, G2250 that G3754 I G1473 am pure G2513 from G575 the blood G129 of all G3956 men. For G1063 I have G5288 not G3756 G3361 shunned G5288 to declare G312 unto you G5213 all G3956 the counsel G1012 of God. G2316 Take heed G4337 therefore G3767 unto yourselves, G1438 and G2532 to all G3956 the flock, G4168 over G1722 the which G3739 the Holy G40 Ghost G4151 hath made G5087 you G5209 overseers, G1985 to feed G4165 the church G1577 of God, G2316 which G3739 he hath purchased G4046 with G1223 his own G2398 blood. G129 For G1063 I G1473 know G1492 this, G5124 that G3754 after G3326 my G3450 departing G867 shall grievous G926 wolves G3074 enter in G1525 among G1519 you, G5209 not G3361 sparing G5339 the flock. G4168 Also G2532 of G1537 your G5216 own selves G846 shall G450 men G435 arise, G450 speaking G2980 perverse things, G1294 to draw away G645 disciples G3101 after G3694 them. G846 Therefore G1352 watch, G1127 and remember, G3421 that G3754 by the space of three years G5148 I ceased G3973 not G3756 to warn G3560 every G1538 one G1520 night G3571 and G2532 day G2250 with G3326 tears. G1144 And G2532 now, G3569 brethren, G80 I commend G3908 you G5209 to God, G2316 and G2532 to the word G3056 of his G846 grace, G5485 which G3588 is able G1410 to build you up, G2026 and G2532 to give G1325 you G5213 an inheritance G2817 among G1722 all G3956 them which are sanctified. G37 I have coveted G1937 no man's G3762 silver, G694 or G2228 gold, G5553 or G2228 apparel. G2441 Yea, G1161 ye yourselves G846 know, G1097 that G3754 these G3778 hands G5495 have ministered G5256 unto my G3450 necessities, G5532 and G2532 to them that were G5607 with G3326 me. G1700 I have shewed G5263 you G5213 all things, G3956 how that G3754 so G3779 labouring G2872 ye ought G1163 to support G482 the weak, G770 and G5037 to remember G3421 the words G3056 of the Lord G2962 Jesus, G2424 how G3754 he G846 said, G2036 It is G2076 more G3123 blessed G3107 to give G1325 than G2228 to receive. G2983 And G2532 when he had thus G5023 spoken, G2036 he G846 kneeled G1119 down, G5087 and prayed G4336 with G4862 them G846 all. G3956
Then G5119 laid they G2007 their hands G5495 on G1909 them, G846 and G2532 they received G2983 the Holy G40 Ghost. G4151
But G235 ye shall receive G2983 power, G1411 after that the Holy G40 Ghost G4151 is come G1904 upon G1909 you: G5209 and G2532 ye shall be G2071 witnesses G3144 unto me G3427 both G5037 in G1722 Jerusalem, G2419 and G2532 in G1722 all G3956 Judaea, G2449 and G2532 in Samaria, G4540 and G2532 unto G2193 the uttermost part G2078 of the earth. G1093
I G1473 pray G2065 for G4012 them: G846 I pray G2065 not G3756 for G4012 the world, G2889 but G235 for G4012 them which G3739 thou hast given G1325 me; G3427 for G3754 they are G1526 thine. G4674 And G2532 all G3956 mine G1699 are G2076 thine, G4674 and G2532 thine G4674 are mine; G1699 and G2532 I am glorified G1392 in G1722 them. G846 And G2532 now G3765 I am G1510 no more G3765 in G1722 the world, G2889 but G2532 these G3778 are G1526 in G1722 the world, G2889 and G2532 I G1473 come G2064 to G4314 thee. G4571 Holy G40 Father, G3962 keep G5083 through G1722 thine own G4675 name G3686 those G846 whom G3739 thou hast given G1325 me, G3427 that G2443 they may be G5600 one, G1520 as G2531 we G2249 are. While G3753 I was G2252 with G3326 them G846 in G1722 the world, G2889 I G1473 kept G5083 them G846 in G1722 thy G4675 name: G3686 those that G3739 thou gavest G1325 me G3427 I have kept, G5442 and G2532 none G3762 of G1537 them G846 is lost, G622 but G1508 the son G5207 of perdition; G684 that G2443 the scripture G1124 might be fulfilled. G4137 And G1161 now G3568 come I G2064 to G4314 thee; G4571 and G2532 these things G5023 I speak G2980 in G1722 the world, G2889 that G2443 they might have G2192 my G1699 joy G5479 fulfilled G4137 in G1722 themselves. G846
Nevertheless G235 I G1473 tell G3004 you G5213 the truth; G225 It is expedient G4851 for you G5213 that G2443 I G1473 go away: G565 for G1063 if G3362 I go G565 not G3362 away, G565 the Comforter G3875 will G2064 not G3756 come G2064 unto G4314 you; G5209 but G1161 if G1437 I depart, G4198 I will send G3992 him G846 unto G4314 you. G5209
Let the LORD, H3068 the God H430 of the spirits H7307 of all flesh, H1320 set H6485 a man H376 over the congregation, H5712 Which may go out H3318 before H6440 them, and which may go in H935 before H6440 them, and which may lead them out, H3318 and which may bring them in; H935 that the congregation H5712 of the LORD H3068 be not as sheep H6629 which have no shepherd. H7462 And the LORD H3068 said H559 unto Moses, H4872 Take H3947 thee Joshua H3091 the son H1121 of Nun, H5126 a man H376 in whom is the spirit, H7307 and lay H5564 thine hand H3027 upon him; And set H5975 him before H6440 Eleazar H499 the priest, H3548 and before H6440 all the congregation; H5712 and give him a charge H6680 in their sight. H5869 And thou shalt put H5414 some of thine honour H1935 upon him, that all the congregation H5712 of the children H1121 of Israel H3478 may be obedient. H8085 And he shall stand H5975 before H6440 Eleazar H499 the priest, H3548 who shall ask H7592 counsel for him after the judgment H4941 of Urim H224 before H6440 the LORD: H3068 at his word H6310 shall they go out, H3318 and at his word H6310 they shall come in, H935 both he, and all the children H1121 of Israel H3478 with him, even all the congregation. H5712 And Moses H4872 did H6213 as the LORD H3068 commanded H6680 him: and he took H3947 Joshua, H3091 and set H5975 him before H6440 Eleazar H499 the priest, H3548 and before H6440 all the congregation: H5712 And he laid H5564 his hands H3027 upon him, and gave him a charge, H6680 as the LORD H3068 commanded H1696 by the hand H3027 of Moses. H4872
Then G5119 opened he G1272 their G846 understanding, G3563 that they might understand G4920 the scriptures, G1124 And G2532 said G2036 unto them, G846 Thus G3754 G3779 it is written, G1125 and G2532 thus G3779 it behoved G1163 Christ G5547 to suffer, G3958 and G2532 to rise G450 from G1537 the dead G3498 the third G5154 day: G2250 And G2532 that repentance G3341 and G2532 remission G859 of sins G266 should be preached G2784 in G1909 his G846 name G3686 among G1519 all G3956 nations, G1484 beginning G756 at G575 Jerusalem. G2419 And G1161 ye G5210 are G2075 witnesses G3144 of these things. G5130 And, G2532 behold, G2400 I G1473 send G649 the promise G1860 of my G3450 Father G3962 upon G1909 you: G5209 but G1161 tarry G2523 ye G5210 in G1722 the city G4172 of Jerusalem, G2419 until G2193 ye G3739 be endued G1746 with power G1411 from G1537 on high. G5311 And G1161 he led G1806 them G846 out G1854 as far as G2193 to G1519 Bethany, G963 and G2532 he lifted up G1869 his G846 hands, G5495 and blessed G2127 them. G846 And G2532 it came to pass, G1096 while G1722 he G846 blessed G2127 them, G846 he was parted G1339 from G575 them, G846 and G2532 carried up G399 into G1519 heaven. G3772
In that day H3117 shall the LORD H3068 defend H1598 the inhabitants H3427 of Jerusalem; H3389 and he that is feeble H3782 among them at that day H3117 shall be as David; H1732 and the house H1004 of David H1732 shall be as God, H430 as the angel H4397 of the LORD H3068 before H6440 them.
[[A Psalm for Solomon.]] H8010 Give H5414 the king H4428 thy judgments, H4941 O God, H430 and thy righteousness H6666 unto the king's H4428 son. H1121
Now, O LORD H3068 God, H430 let thy promise H1697 unto David H1732 my father H1 be established: H539 for thou hast made me king H4427 over a people H5971 like the dust H6083 of the earth H776 in multitude. H7227 Give H5414 me now wisdom H2451 and knowledge, H4093 that I may go out H3318 and come in H935 before H6440 this people: H5971 for who can judge H8199 this thy people, H5971 that is so great? H1419
O LORD H3068 God H430 of Abraham, H85 Isaac, H3327 and of Israel, H3478 our fathers, H1 keep H8104 this for ever H5769 in the imagination H3336 of the thoughts H4284 of the heart H3824 of thy people, H5971 and prepare H3559 their heart H3824 unto thee: And give H5414 unto Solomon H8010 my son H1121 a perfect H8003 heart, H3824 to keep H8104 thy commandments, H4687 thy testimonies, H5715 and thy statutes, H2706 and to do H6213 all these things, and to build H1129 the palace, H1002 for the which I have made provision. H3559
Now Elisha H477 was fallen sick H2470 of his sickness H2483 whereof he died. H4191 And Joash H3101 the king H4428 of Israel H3478 came down H3381 unto him, and wept H1058 over his face, H6440 and said, H559 O my father, H1 my father, H1 the chariot H7393 of Israel, H3478 and the horsemen H6571 thereof. And Elisha H477 said H559 unto him, Take H3947 bow H7198 and arrows. H2671 And he took H3947 unto him bow H7198 and arrows. H2671 And he said H559 to the king H4428 of Israel, H3478 Put H7392 thine hand H3027 upon the bow. H7198 And he put H7392 his hand H3027 upon it: and Elisha H477 put H7760 his hands H3027 upon the king's H4428 hands. H3027 And he said, H559 Open H6605 the window H2474 eastward. H6924 And he opened H6605 it. Then Elisha H477 said, H559 Shoot. H3384 And he shot. H3384 And he said, H559 The arrow H2671 of the LORD'S H3068 deliverance, H8668 and the arrow H2671 of deliverance H8668 from Syria: H758 for thou shalt smite H5221 the Syrians H758 in Aphek, H663 till thou have consumed H3615 them. And he said, H559 Take H3947 the arrows. H2671 And he took H3947 them. And he said H559 unto the king H4428 of Israel, H3478 Smite H5221 upon the ground. H776 And he smote H5221 thrice, H7969 H6471 and stayed. H5975 And the man H376 of God H430 was wroth H7107 with him, and said, H559 Thou shouldest have smitten H5221 five H2568 or six H8337 times; H6471 then hadst thou smitten H5221 Syria H758 till thou hadst consumed H3615 it: whereas now thou shalt smite H5221 Syria H758 but thrice. H7969 H6471
And Joshua H3091 the son H1121 of Nun H5126 was full H4392 of the spirit H7307 of wisdom; H2451 for Moses H4872 had laid H5564 his hands H3027 upon him: and the children H1121 of Israel H3478 hearkened H8085 unto him, and did H6213 as the LORD H3068 commanded H6680 Moses. H4872
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on 2 Kings 2
Commentary on 2 Kings 2 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 2
2Ki 2:1-10. Elijah Divines Jordan.
1-7. when the Lord would take up Elijah—A revelation of this event had been made to the prophet; but, unknown to him, it had also been revealed to his disciples, and to Elisha in particular, who kept constantly beside him.
Gilgal—This Gilgal (Jiljil) was near Ebal and Gerizim; a school of the prophets was established there. At Beth-el there was also a school of the prophets, which Elijah had founded, notwithstanding that place was the headquarters of the calf-worship; and at Jericho there was another [2Ki 2:4]. In travelling to these places, which he had done through the impulse of the Spirit (2Ki 2:2, 4-6), Elijah wished to pay a farewell visit to these several institutions, which lay on his way to the place of ascension and, at the same time, from a feeling of humility and modesty, to be in solitude, where there would be no eye-witnesses of his glorification. All his efforts, however, to prevail on his attendant to remain behind, were fruitless. Elisha knew that the time was at hand, and at every place the sons of the prophets spoke to him of the approaching removal of his master. Their last stage was at the Jordan. They were followed at a distance by fifty scholars of the prophets, from Jericho, who were desirous, in honor of the great occasion, to witness the miraculous translation of the prophet. The revelation of this striking event to so many was a necessary part of the dispensation; for it was designed to be under the law, like that of Enoch in the patriarchal age, a visible proof of another state, and a type of the resurrection of Christ.
3. take away thy master from they head—an allusion to the custom of scholars sitting at the feet of their master, the latter being over their heads (Ac 22:3).
8. Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters—Like the rod of Moses, it had the divinely operating power of the Spirit.
9. Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee—trusting either that it would be in his power to bequeath it, or that God, at his entreaty, would grant it.
let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me—This request was not, as is commonly supposed, for the power of working miracles exceeding the magnitude and number of his master's, nor does it mean a higher endowment of the prophetic spirit; for Elisha was neither superior to, nor perhaps equally great with, his predecessor. But the phrase, "a double portion," was applied to the first-born [De 21:17], and therefore Elisha's request was, simply, to be heir to the prophetic office and gifts of his master.
10. Thou hast asked a hard thing—an extraordinary blessing which I cannot, and God only, can give. Nevertheless he, doubtless by the secret directions of the Spirit, proposed to Elisha a sign, the observation of which would keep him in the attitude of an anxious waiter, as well as suppliant for the favor.
2Ki 2:11-18. He Is Taken Up to Heaven in a Chariot of Fire.
11. behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire—some bright effulgence, which, in the eyes of the spectators, resembled those objects.
went up by a whirlwind—a tempest or storm wind accompanied with vivid flashes of fire, figuratively used for the divine judgments (Isa 29:6).
12. Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father—that is, spiritual father, as the pupils of the prophets are called their sons.
the chariot of Israel, and the horseman thereof—that is, that as earthly kingdoms are dependent for their defense and glory upon warlike preparations, there a single prophet had done more for the preservation and prosperity of Israel than all her chariots and horsemen.
took hold of his own clothes and rent them—in token of his grief for his loss.
13. He took up also the mantle of Elijah—The transference of this prophetic cloak was, to himself, a pledge of his being appointed successor, and it was an outward token to others of the spirit of Elijah resting upon him.
14-18. smote the waters—The waving of the mantle on the river, and the miraculous division of the waters consequent upon it, was an evidence that the Lord God of Elijah was with him, and as this miracle was witnessed by the scholars of the prophets from Jericho, they forthwith recognized the pre-eminence of Elisha, as now the prophet of Israel.
16-18. fifty strong men, let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master—Though the young prophets from Jericho had seen Elijah's miraculous passage of the Jordan, they had not witnessed the ascension. They imagined that he might have been cast by the whirlwind on some mountain or valley; or, if he had actually been admitted into heaven, they expected that his body would still be remaining somewhere on earth. In compliance with their importunity, he gave them permission, but told them what the result would be.
2Ki 2:19-25. Elisha Heals the Waters.
20. Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein—The noxious qualities of the water could not be corrected by the infusion of salt—for, supposing the salt was possessed of such a property, a whole spring could not be purified by a dishful for a day, much less in all future time. The pouring in of the salt was a symbolic act with which Elisha accompanied the word of the Lord, by which the spring was healed [Keil].
23, 24. there came forth little children out of the city—that is, the idolatrous, or infidel young men of the place, who affecting to disbelieve the report of his master's translation, sarcastically urged him to follow in the glorious career.
bald head—an epithet of contempt in the East, applied to a person even with a bushy head of hair. The appalling judgment that befell them was God's interference to uphold his newly invested prophet.