New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
2 Kings 2
1
Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. The Lord was going to use a strong wind to take Elijah up to heaven.
Reference
📍 Gilgal 2
2
Elijah said to Elisha, "Stay here. The Lord has sent me to Bethel." But Elisha said, "I won't leave you. And that's just as sure as the Lord and you are alive." So they went down to Bethel.
Reference
3
There was a company of prophets at Bethel. They came out to where Elisha was. They asked him, "Do you know what the Lord is going to do? He's going to take your master away from you today." "Yes, I know," Elisha replied. "But don't talk about it."
Reference
4
Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here, Elisha. The Lord has sent me to Jericho." Elisha replied, "I won't leave you. And that's just as sure as the Lord and you are alive." So they went to Jericho.
Reference
5
There was a company of prophets at Jericho. They went up to where Elisha was. They asked him, "Do you know what the Lord is going to do? He's going to take your master away from you today." "Yes, I know," Elisha replied. "But don't talk about it."
Reference
Prophecy
2 Kings 2:3
6
Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here. The Lord has sent me to the Jordan River." Elisha replied, "I won't leave you. And that's just as sure as the Lord and you are alive." So the two of them walked on.
Reference
Prayer
2 Kings 2:2
7
Fifty men from the company of the prophets followed them. The men stopped and stood not far away from them. They faced the place where Elijah and Elisha had stopped at the Jordan River.
8
Elijah rolled his coat up. Then he struck the water with it. The water parted to the right and to the left. The two of them went across the river on dry ground.
Reference
9
After they had gone across, Elijah spoke to Elisha. He said, "Tell me. What can I do for you before I'm taken away from you?" "Please give me a double share of your spirit," Elisha replied.
Reference
10
"You have asked me for something I can't give you," Elijah said. "Only the Lord can give it. But suppose you see me when I'm taken away from you. Then you will receive what you have asked for. If you don't see me, you won't receive it."
11
They kept walking along and talking together. Suddenly a chariot and horses appeared. Fire was all around them. The chariot and horses came between the two men. Then Elijah went up to heaven in a strong wind.
Reference
12
Elisha saw it. He cried out to Elijah, "My father! You are like a father to me! You are the true chariots and horsemen of Israel!" Elisha didn't see Elijah anymore. Then Elisha took hold of his own clothes and tore them apart.
Reference
References Israel
2 Kings 13:14
13
He picked up the coat that had fallen from Elijah. He went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan River.
14
Then he struck the water with Elijah's coat. "Where is the power of the Lord?" he asked. "Where is the power of the God of Elijah?" When Elisha struck the water, it parted to the right and to the left. He went across the river.
Reference
15
The company of the prophets from Jericho were watching. They said, "The spirit of Elijah has been given to Elisha." They went over to him. They bowed down to him with their faces toward the ground.
Reference
16
"Look," they said. "We have 50 able men. Let them go and look for your master. Perhaps the Spirit of the Lord has lifted him up. Maybe he has put him down on a mountain or in a valley." "No," Elisha replied. "Don't send them."
Reference
17
But they kept asking until he felt he couldn't say no. So he said, "Send them." And they sent 50 men. They looked for Elijah for three days. But they didn't find him.
Reference
Parallel theme
2 Kings 8:11
18
So they returned to Elisha. He was staying in Jericho. Elisha said to them, "Didn't I tell you not to go?"
19
The men of Jericho spoke to Elisha. "Look," they said. "This town has a good location. You can see that for yourself. But the spring of water here is bad. So the land doesn't produce anything."
Reference
Parallel theme
Exodus 23:26
Exodus 15:23
References Lord
Deuteronomy 28:11
Exodus 7:19
Numbers 12:11
1 Kings 16:34
Joshua 6:17
Joshua 6:26
1 Kings 18:7
Hosea 9:14
20
"Bring me a new bowl," Elisha said. "Put some salt in it." So they brought it to him.
21
Then he went out to the spring. He threw the salt into it. He told them, "The Lord says, 'I have made this water pure. It will never cause death again. It will never keep the land from producing crops again.' "
Reference
22
The water has stayed pure to this very day. That's what Elisha had said would happen.
23
Elisha left Jericho and went up to Bethel. He was walking along the road. Some young fellows came out of the town. They made fun of him. "Go on up! You don't even have any hair on your head!" they said. "Go on up! You don't even have any hair on your head!"
Reference
24
He turned around and looked at them. And he called down a curse on them. He did it in the name of the Lord. Then two bears came out of the woods. They attacked 42 of the young fellows.
Reference
Curse
Mark 11:21
Genesis 9:25
Parallel theme
Acts 5:5
Acts 8:20
Mark 11:14
1 Kings 19:17
References Lord
Acts 5:9
Amos 7:17
Jeremiah 28:16
Exodus 20:5
25
Elisha went on to Mount Carmel. From there he returned to Samaria.
Reference
Parallel theme
2 Kings 4:25
Summary of 2 Kings 2
This chapter records the conclusion of Elijah's remarkable ministry and the beginning of Elisha's leadership as Israel's primary prophet. The chapter demonstrates God's faithfulness in continuing His work through a new servant and confirms that His power remains unchanged despite the passing of one generation.
Elijah begins his final journey from Gilgal to Bethel, Jericho, and the Jordan River. At each stop, he invites Elisha to remain behind, but Elisha refuses to leave his master. His unwavering loyalty reflects his deep commitment to both Elijah and the calling God has placed upon his life.
At the Jordan River, Elijah parts the waters with his cloak, allowing both men to cross on dry ground. Before his departure, Elijah asks Elisha what he desires. Elisha requests a double portion of Elijah's spirit, not seeking personal fame but asking for the strength and responsibility needed to continue God's prophetic ministry.
As they continue walking together, a chariot and horses of fire appear, and Elijah is taken into heaven by a whirlwind. Elisha witnesses the event, fulfilling the condition Elijah had given for receiving the requested blessing. Picking up Elijah's fallen cloak, Elisha immediately demonstrates that God's power now rests upon him by parting the Jordan River just as Elijah had done.
The prophetic community recognizes Elisha as Elijah's successor. After an unsuccessful search for Elijah, Elisha performs his first recorded miracle by healing the contaminated spring at Jericho, bringing lasting blessing to the city.
The chapter concludes with an incident near Bethel, where a group of youths openly mocks Elisha and rejects God's prophet. Their actions result in divine judgment, demonstrating that contempt for God's appointed messenger is ultimately contempt for God Himself.
Overall, the chapter teaches that although God's servants may change, God's mission and authority remain constant. Elijah's departure does not end God's work; instead, it marks the beginning of a new chapter through Elisha.
Elijah begins his final journey from Gilgal to Bethel, Jericho, and the Jordan River. At each stop, he invites Elisha to remain behind, but Elisha refuses to leave his master. His unwavering loyalty reflects his deep commitment to both Elijah and the calling God has placed upon his life.
At the Jordan River, Elijah parts the waters with his cloak, allowing both men to cross on dry ground. Before his departure, Elijah asks Elisha what he desires. Elisha requests a double portion of Elijah's spirit, not seeking personal fame but asking for the strength and responsibility needed to continue God's prophetic ministry.
As they continue walking together, a chariot and horses of fire appear, and Elijah is taken into heaven by a whirlwind. Elisha witnesses the event, fulfilling the condition Elijah had given for receiving the requested blessing. Picking up Elijah's fallen cloak, Elisha immediately demonstrates that God's power now rests upon him by parting the Jordan River just as Elijah had done.
The prophetic community recognizes Elisha as Elijah's successor. After an unsuccessful search for Elijah, Elisha performs his first recorded miracle by healing the contaminated spring at Jericho, bringing lasting blessing to the city.
The chapter concludes with an incident near Bethel, where a group of youths openly mocks Elisha and rejects God's prophet. Their actions result in divine judgment, demonstrating that contempt for God's appointed messenger is ultimately contempt for God Himself.
Overall, the chapter teaches that although God's servants may change, God's mission and authority remain constant. Elijah's departure does not end God's work; instead, it marks the beginning of a new chapter through Elisha.