2 Kings 2:13 - Meaning and Application

Here we have what happened right after Elijah was taken up to heaven.

First, God showed Elisha, the prophet who would take Elijah’s place, that he truly had Elijah’s mantle, the outer cloak that marked his office (2 Kings 2:13). Elijah left the mantle behind as a sign that the Spirit had passed to Elisha. The cloak itself was of little value, but as a sign of God’s gift, it was worth far more than gold or silver. Elisha took it up, not as something holy to worship, but as a garment to wear and a sign of his calling. He had loved that cloak ever since Elijah first threw it over him, when he called him into service (1 Kings 19:19).

There are also useful remains of great and godly people that should be gathered up and kept by those who come after them. Their words, writings, and examples should be preserved, so others may still benefit from them. Their works follow them in their reward, but their witness can stay behind to help the church.

Second, Elisha received Elijah’s power to divide the Jordan River (2 Kings 2:14). He had just parted from Elijah and returned to the sons of the prophets, the young prophets being trained in the schools at Jericho. The Jordan lay between him and them, and it had opened for Elijah on his way to glory. Elisha now tried it to see whether God would open it for him as well, showing that the Lord was with him and that he had received a double share of Elijah’s spirit.

Elijah’s last miracle became Elisha’s first. In doing this, Elisha used Elijah’s mantle, just as Elijah had done before (2 Kings 2:8). This showed that he meant to follow his master’s ways and would not bring in anything new out of pride or self-importance. He also called on the God of Elijah: “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” He was not asking where Elijah was, as if grieving in an unhealthy way, or doubting Elijah’s blessed state, or expecting help from him. Elijah was happy in heaven, but he was not all-knowing or all-powerful.

Elisha was really asking after God himself. When our earthly comforts are removed, we still have a God to go to, one who lives forever. He also asked after the God whom Elijah had served, honored, and trusted when most of Israel had turned away. Those who stay loyal to God in times of widespread unbelief receive this honor, that God will be, in a special way, their God. Elijah’s God had already proved himself faithful to Elijah, especially now that Elijah was in heaven, where God had prepared a better place for him (Hebrews 11:16). Elisha was saying, in effect, “Lord, let the promise of Elijah’s spirit be true in me as well.”

The words that follow in the original text, “even he,” are taken by some as the answer to Elisha’s question. The meaning would be, “He is still here. We have lost Elijah, but we have not lost Elijah’s God.” That is a comforting truth. It is our duty, and our blessing, to seek God as the God of the saints who have gone before us, the God of our fathers. And for those who seek him, he is near, and he is present in his holy temple (Psalm 11:4; Psalm 145:18).

Third, Elisha received Elijah’s place among the sons of the prophets (2 Kings 2:15). Some of the young prophets at Jericho had watched what happened near the Jordan, and they were surprised to see the river divided before Elisha as he returned. That convinced them that the spirit of Elijah rested on him, so they went out to meet him. They bowed to the ground before him, honoring him as their leader and father, just as Israel had honored Joshua after Moses died (Joshua 1:17). Though Elisha had once been a man of the plow and they had been trained in the schools, they quickly recognized that God was with him.

People who show the Spirit and presence of God should have our respect and love, even if they come from humble backgrounds. This willing submission from the sons of the prophets would have greatly encouraged Elisha and helped confirm his calling.

After this came the needless search the sons of the prophets wanted to make for Elijah. They suggested that perhaps the Spirit had dropped him somewhere, alive or dead, on a mountain or in a valley, and said it would comfort them to send strong men to look for him (2 Kings 2:16). Some may have raised this question to cast doubt on Elisha’s appointment, as if they were saying, “Let us be sure Elijah is really gone. Surely God would not have abandoned such a man.”

Elisha did not agree at first, but they pressed him until he gave in (2 Kings 2:17). They kept urging him until he felt ashamed to resist any longer, fearing that he might seem careless toward his old master or unwilling to give up the mantle again.

Wise people may sometimes give way to something they think is unnecessary and unprofitable, just to keep peace and preserve a good reputation with others. Yet in the end, the outcome can leave them just as embarrassed by their own suggestion as they first made Elisha feel by pressing him against his better judgment.

After their messengers wearied themselves with a useless search, they came back saying, in effect, that he could not be found. This gave Elisha a chance to rebuke his friends for their foolish insistence: “Did I not tell you, Do not go?” (2 Kings 2:18). That experience would likely make them more ready to trust his judgment the next time.

Climbing hills and crossing valleys will never bring us to Elijah. What will bring us, in God’s time, is copying his holy faith and zeal.