https://esv.literalword.com/?q=2+Kings+2
Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Wednesday, 1 October 2025:
Here is a short video overview of 1–2 Kings: https://youtu.be/bVFW3wbi9pk
2 Kings 2:1-2 — Now when the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.
As Elijah’s final hours on earth approached, Elisha refused to leave him. His devotion to his mentor was not contractual but covenantal, mirroring God’s own covenant love. Elisha’s loyalty reflects the kind of steadfast love God calls His people to embody, love that does not quit when things get inconvenient or difficult (Proverbs 17:17; John 13:1). Such love is a reflection of Christ’s commitment to us, who promises never to leave nor forsake His own (Hebrews 13:5).
2 Kings 2:3-5 — And the sons of the prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha and said, “Do you know that today the LORD will take away your master from over you?” And he said, “Yes, I know it; keep quiet.” … The sons of the prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that today the LORD will take away your master from over you?” And he answered, “Yes, I know it; keep quiet.”
The sons of the prophets were aware of God’s plan to take Elijah. God reveals His purposes to His prophets (Amos 3:7), and in Christ He reveals His truth to us through His Word and His Spirit (John 16:13). Elisha did not need their reminders; he already knew. His “keep quiet” is not dismissal but reverence — some truths are too holy to be treated as casual conversation, nor are they things about which to be anxious. When God entrusts you with revelation, handle it with humility of self and complete confidence in Him, not with sensationalism or anxiousness.
2 Kings 2:6-8 – Then Elijah said to him, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on. Fifty men of the sons of the prophets also went and stood at some distance…. Then Elijah took his cloak and rolled it up and struck the water, and the water was parted to the one side and to the other, till the two of them could go over on dry ground.
Once again Elisha proves immovable in his devotion. He insists on walking with his master until the end, an example of perseverance in love. At the Jordan, Elijah repeats Moses’ miracle of dividing water (Exodus 14:21; Joshua 3:16). God’s power continues from generation to generation; His purposes are never limited to one servant. Before you assume Elijah (or Moses) were somehow special in themselves, consider that they are likely just better reflections of what we all ought to be like as Christ’s image bearers, with Christ as our ultimate example. We have such a limited view of who we ought to be because we lack powerful examples in our day.
- John 14:12 — “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.”
- Philippians 4:13 — I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
- Matthew 19:26 — But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
2 Kings 2:9-10 — When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.”
Elisha’s request reveals holy ambition. He was not asking for power for his own sake but to be equipped to serve God faithfully. The “double portion” language reflects the inheritance rights of a firstborn son (Deuteronomy 21:17). Elisha desired to be Elijah’s true spiritual heir, to carry forward God’s mission with even greater boldness. God’s work is not dependent on one leader — He always raises up successors. As Blackaby observed, Moses had Joshua, David had Solomon, Elijah had Elisha. Leaders pass away, but God’s mission remains. We are not indispensable to God, but we are invited to join Him in His purposes — a privilege, not a right (1 Corinthians 3:5-7).
“There had never been a man like Elijah. Elijah had raised the dead, called down fire from heaven, and revealed God’s plans for a devastating drought. The Israelites must have felt certain there would never be another prophet like Elijah, until Elisha came along. Moses was arguably the mightiest leader the Hebrews had ever followed, yet God prepared Joshua to accomplish what not even Moses had achieved. David’s reign marked a high point for the nation of Israel, yet it was Solomon who carried out the task that was denied his father, by building the spectacular temple.
We can be tempted to put more trust in the leaders God gives us than in God Himself. History teaches that, as wonderful as these godly people are, God always has another Moses, Elijah, or David. Often the successor will come with a double portion of their predecessors’ spirits.
God’s purposes do not depend on us. He has limitless ways to accomplish His will. The same God who led Moses could also use Joshua. If no one were willing to serve Him, the Lord would accomplish His work by His own divine power. We are not irreplaceable to the Lord. He will achieve His purposes. The question is this: Will we be a part of God’s activity, or will He find someone else? We deceive ourselves if we think we are indispensable to God. Service to the Lord is an honor God bestows on us, not a favor we do for God.
If you are mourning the loss of one of your leaders, do not despair. God has another leader, for He will see that His will is carried out. It may even be that He has been preparing you to be that leader.” (Henry T. Blackaby)
2 Kings 2:11-12 – And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it and he cried, “My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw him no more.
Elijah did not die; he was taken into heaven by the power of God, one of only two men in Scripture to bypass death (the other being Enoch in Genesis 5:24). This extraordinary departure validated Elijah’s unique role and foreshadowed Christ’s ascension (Acts 1:9-11). Elisha’s cry shows his grief and reverence, yet it also acknowledges the truth: the true strength of Israel is not its armies but the presence of God through His prophets.
2 Kings 2:13-15 — And he took up the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. Then he took the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the water, saying, “Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” And when he had struck the water, the water was parted…. Now when the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho saw him opposite them, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” And they came to meet him and bowed to the ground before him.
God validated Elisha’s prophetic calling by repeating Elijah’s miracle through him. Miracles in Scripture serve not merely to astonish but to authenticate God’s messenger and message (John 10:25; Acts 14:3). The sons of the prophets recognize God’s hand on Elisha and submit to his authority. The cloak had changed hands, but the power was still God’s.
2 Kings 2:16-18 — And they said to him, “Behold now, there are with your servants fifty strong men. Please let them go and seek your master….” But when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, “Send.” They sent therefore fifty men. And for three days they sought him but did not find him.
Despite witnessing Elijah’s ascension, the prophets wanted to send a search party. Faith was mixed with unbelief. Elisha knew better but yielded to their persistence. Human doubt often struggles to accept divine truth, yet God’s word always proves true.
2 Kings 2:19-22 — Now the men of the city said to Elisha, “Behold, the situation of this city is pleasant… but the water is bad, and the land is unfruitful.” He said, “Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it.”…. So the water has been healed to this day, according to the word that Elisha spoke.
God’s power through Elisha brought healing to Jericho’s water supply, a tangible sign of blessing. Salt, which purifies and preserves, here becomes a symbol of God’s life-giving word (Matthew 5:13). Just as He turned cursed water into life, so God redeems and restores what is broken when His word is applied in faith.
2 Kings 2:23-24 — He went up from there to Bethel, and while he was going up on the way, some small boys came out of the city and jeered at him, saying, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!” And he turned around, and when he saw them, he cursed them in the name of the LORD. And two she-bears came out of the woods and tore forty-two of the boys.
This difficult passage demonstrates the seriousness of despising God’s prophet. To mock Elisha was to mock God, and the punishment was severe. Holiness demands respect, and God will not tolerate contempt toward His messengers (2 Chronicles 36:16). This scene reminds us that reverence for God and His word is not optional, it is a matter of life and death. Even creation itself rose against those who dishonored the Lord’s servant.
2 Kings 2:25 — From there he went on to Mount Carmel, and from there he returned to Samaria.
Elisha begins his prophetic ministry, confirmed as Elijah’s successor. The God who parted waters, brought fire from heaven, and carried Elijah away by a whirlwind is still at work, now through Elisha.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 1 October 2025: 2 Kings 2 reminds us that God’s mission does not depend on one person — He always raises up new servants, equipping them for His work. Elijah was taken up, but Elisha received a double portion to carry on the task. The same Spirit who empowered them now indwells believers in Christ (Acts 1:8). Today, ask yourself: Am I clinging to human leaders more than to the God who calls and equips them? Am I seeking a “double portion” of His Spirit to serve faithfully, or am I content with surface-level religion? The practical step is this: commit to walk closely with Christ today, refusing to “leave His side” as Elisha refused to leave Elijah’s. Begin the day by asking for a fresh filling of the Spirit and watch for opportunities to serve boldly in His name.
Pray: “Father, thank You for reminding me that You are the God who raises up new servants in every generation. Teach me to trust not in human leaders but in You alone. Give me a double portion of Your Spirit today, not for my glory but so that I may serve You faithfully and point others to Christ. Keep me humble, reverent, and courageous in every situation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 