Elisha Empowered By God

II Kings 2:1-14

“And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.” (II Kings 2:1)

Several years before, Elijah had fled when Jezebel declared she was going to have him killed.  When he finally broke free from his depression God gave him some specific instructions in I Kings 19:15-17.  “And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.  And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay."

Elijah had immediately followed through on that command and for at least four years, Elijah had accompanied him, learning everything he could about  God and his message.  Now Elijah’s mission is completed and God is ready to take him away.  While we don’t know exactly when this story took place, we know that it was sometime after Jehoram became king of Israel.


“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.” (II Kings 2:2-6a)

Elijah repeatedly tried to leave Elisha behind at different places along the way, walking nearly twenty miles.  Each time Elisha refused to stay behind, finally telling Elijah he was going to be with him no matter what.   Elisha knew that God was going to take Elijah, as he told the prophets at Bethel and Jericho, and he didn’t want to talk about it.  Jericho had only been rebuilt in Ahab’s day.

“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.” (II Kings 2:6b-8)

Fifty of the sons of the prophets followed along to see what would happen, remaining at a distance.  When they came to the Jordan, God miraculously opened the way for Elijah and Elisha,  The followers were blocked by the river.

“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.” (II Kings 2:9-10)

When Elijah asked what Elisha wanted, he asked for a twice as much of the spirit of God to be on him as was on Elijah.  Unlike many prospective Christian leaders today, he recognized that the indwelling Spirit was far more important than any amount of training or experience.

As Elijah told him, spiritual power requires a level of commitment far beyond what most are willing to make.  Only if he was there all the way would he receive that power.  Luke 14:26-28 describes the commitment required.  “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.  And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.  For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?”

It would have been far easier to have stopped at one of the places Elijah suggested but Elisha refused to stop.

“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.” (II Kings 2:11-14)

Elisha was there when Elijah was taken up.  He had demonstrated his commitment to God’s ministry.  When he saw the chariot of fire he recognized it as God’s power.  While he was saddened by the loss of his mentor, he wasted little time grieving.  Gathering up Elijah’s mantle or outer coat, he took it with him, and used it just as Elijah had at the river, asking if God had fulfilled his promise of power.   The waters parted just as they had for Elijah, giving him the assurance he sought.