2Ki 2 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 2Kgs 2:1-18: 2:1-18 Elijah’s translation into heaven transferred the prophetic mantle to Elisha.

Summary for 2Kgs 2:1-18: 2:1-18 ^a Elijah’s translation into heaven transferred the prophetic mantle to Elisha.
Summary for 2Kgs 2:2-6: 2:2-6 ^b Stay here: Three times, Elijah urged Elisha to remain behind while he traveled on. Each time, Elisha refused with a solemn vow, determined to be with his master to the end.
2:8 ^c Elijah folded his cloak together and struck the water with it: Such symbolic actions visually represented God’s power (see Exod 14:16 ^d, 21 ^e, 26-27 ^f; 17:8-13 ^g; 1 Kgs 11:30-31 ^h; Ezek 4 ⁱ; 5:1-4 ^j).
Summary for 2Kgs 2:9-10: 2:9-10 ^k A firstborn son, as the primary heir, inherited a double share of his father’s estate (Deut 21:17 ^l); Elisha asked that Elijah’s God-given spiritual abilities and privileges might continue to live through him.
2:11 ^m Chariot of fire ... horses of fire ... whirlwind: These things represent God’s appearance in mighty power (cp. Isa 66:15 ⁿ).

• Elijah was carried ... into heaven, like Enoch (Gen 5:24 ^o), without dying. Some believe that Enoch and Elijah will reappear at the time of the end (see study note on Rev 11:1-13).
2:12 ^p Elijah was Elisha’s spiritual father and personal mentor. Cp. the tribute given him at his death, 13:14 ^q.
Summary for 2Kgs 2:13-15: 2:13-15 ^r Elisha picked up Elijah’s cloak and successfully parted the Jordan River. Elisha was indeed Elijah’s successor, as the other prophets recognized.
Summary for 2Kgs 2:16-18: 2:16-18 ^s The prophets searched the wilderness, perhaps to be certain that Elijah had not temporarily disappeared (cp. 1 Kgs 18:12 ^t). Elisha already knew that the search was pointless.
Summary for 2Kgs 2:20-22: 2:20-22 ^u Elisha used a new bowl (Deut 21:3 ^v) filled with salt (Lev 2:13 ^w; Ezek 43:24 ^x) to symbolize calling upon God to purify the people and the environment. Elisha made it clear that the Lord, not he or the salt, had purified this water.
2:23 ^y The group of boys could have been young adults; the Hebrew term has a wide range of meanings, at times being used of a young adult still unskilled in his profession, such as when Solomon petitioned the Lord for wisdom because he was young and inexperienced (1 Kgs 3:7 ^z). Joshua’s spies at Jericho were designated by the same term (Josh 6:22-23 ^aa).

• To call someone baldy was disrespectful. The young men told Elisha to go away (literally go up), mocking Elisha’s God-given position as successor to Elijah.