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2 Kings 2

And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.

And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel.

And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.

And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho.

And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.

And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on.

And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan.

And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.

And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.

And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.

And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.

He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan;

And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.

And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.

And they said unto him, Behold now, there be with thy servants fifty strong men; let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master: lest peradventure the Spirit of the LORD hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, Ye shall not send.

And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not.

And when they came again to him, (for he tarried at Jericho,) he said unto them, Did I not say unto you, Go not?

And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is naught, and the ground barren.

And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they brought it to him.

And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land.

So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake.

And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.

And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.

And he went from thence to mount Carmel, and from thence he returned to Samaria.

What does 2 Kings 2:2 mean?

2 Kings 2:2

"And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel."

Explanation

2 Kings 2:2 recounts a moment during the transition of prophetic leadership from Elijah to Elisha. In this instance, Elijah is called by God to go to Bethel, and he asks Elisha to stay behind.

However, Elisha shows his loyalty and dedication by insisting that he will not leave Elijah's side, echoing the deep commitment and resolve to follow his master and mentor regardless of the destination.

The verse highlights themes of discipleship, loyalty, and the importance of spiritual perseverance.

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Historical Context

The events of 2 Kings 2:2 occur in the context of the northern kingdom of Israel during a period of political instability and pagan worship.

Elijah, the prominent prophet, is at the end of his ministry, and Elisha is being groomed to succeed him.

Traveling to Bethel is significant because Bethel was one of the main centers for idol worship in the kingdom.

Thus, the passage suggests a confrontation between God's prophet and a place known for idolatry.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, the passage is often interpreted as exemplifying true discipleship.

Elisha's statement can be seen as demonstrating unwavering commitment to God by refusing to be separated from His prophet.

It can also symbolize the idea of perseverance in the Christian faith, as Elisha's journey mirrors the journey of a believer who remains steadfast in their faith.

Practical Applications

This verse can be applied in daily life by encouraging individuals to exhibit loyalty to their faith and spiritual leaders.

It speaks to the virtue of commitment, showing the importance of steadfastness in one's beliefs and convictions, and the value of being a faithful follower or disciple in a spiritual context.

Cross-References

Ruth 1:16 - "And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God."
2 Kings 2:4 - "And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho."
2 Kings 2:6 - "And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on."

Language Study

The key words in the original Hebrew of this passage would be:

"Tarry" (translated from "שְׁבָה", pronounced "shevah") which means to sit down, abide, or dwell. It implies a request for Elisha to remain behind or stop.
"Bethel" (בֵּית-אֵל, pronounced "Bet-El") which literally translates to "House of God" but was a place known for its idolatry at the time.
"LORD" (יְהוָה, pronounced "Yahweh") is the tetragrammaton, the sacred and personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other ancient myths and religious interpretations, such as those found in Greek or Roman mythology, there are often stories of mentorship where a younger hero is accompanied by an older, wiser figure.

The insistence of Elisha to stay with Elijah can parallel instances where disciples or followers in other cultures show similar dedication to their mentors or deities.

Scientific Perspectives

The verse itself does not directly intersect with modern scientific understandings.

The narrative is spiritual and speaks to the nature of human relationships and commitments rather than making claims about the natural world.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians note the significance of Elisha's refusal to leave Elijah as an example of true discipleship.

Matthew Henry's Commentary emphasizes Elisha’s steadfastness and the testing of his resolve to inherit the prophetic office.

John Wesley's Explanatory Notes highlight Elisha's determination to receive a blessing from Elijah before he is taken away.

Comprehensive modern commentaries, such as the New International Commentary on the Old Testament, explore the depth of Elisha's commitment to both Elijah and to the call of prophetic service in the face of idolatrous opposition in Bethel.

2 Kings 2

2 Kings 2

What does 2 Kings 2:2 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated 2 Kings Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does 2 Kings 2:2 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated 2 Kings Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?