MPV Commentary

1-7. When the Lord was about to take Elijah up, a revelation of this event had been made known to the prophet, but it had also been revealed to his disciples, and especially to Elisha, who constantly accompanied him.

Gilgal was near Ebal and Gerizim; a school of prophets was established there. At Beth-el, another school of prophets existed, which Elijah had founded despite its association with calf-worship. A third school was located at Jericho (2Ki 2:4). As Elijah traveled to these places, driven by the Spirit's impulse (2Ki 2:2, 4-6), he wanted to pay a farewell visit to these institutions on his way to the place of ascension and to be in solitude, free from witnesses to his glorification. However, all his efforts to persuade Elisha to remain behind were unsuccessful.

Elisha knew that the time had come for Elijah's removal, and at every stop, the sons of prophets spoke to him about the approaching departure of their master. Their final destination was the Jordan River. Fifty scholars from Jericho followed them at a distance, eager to witness the miraculous translation of the prophet. The revelation of this event to many people was necessary as part of God's dispensation; it served as a visible proof of another state and a type of Christ's resurrection.

3. Take away your master from your head is an allusion to the custom of students sitting at their teacher's feet, with the teacher positioned above them (Ac 22:3).

8. Elijah took his mantle, wrapped it together, and struck the water. Like Moses' rod, it had the divinely operating power of the Spirit.

9. Elijah asked Elisha, "What can I do for you?" He trusted that either he would be able to grant a request or that God would grant it at his entreaty.

Let a double portion of your spirit be upon me is not a request for greater miraculous power or a higher endowment of the prophetic spirit. Elisha's request was simply to inherit the prophetic office and gifts of his master, as indicated by the phrase "a double portion," which referred to the first-born (De 21:17).

10. You have asked a hard thing; it is an extraordinary blessing that I cannot grant, but only God can. Nevertheless, he proposed to Elisha a sign, the observation of which would keep him in a state of anxious waiting and supplication for the favor.