2Ki 2:3-18 | TNotes

2:8 ^a Elijah folded his cloak together and struck the water with it: Such symbolic actions visually represented God’s power (see Exod 14:16 ^b, 21 ^c, 26-27 ^d; 17:8-13 ^e; 1 Kgs 11:30-31 ^f; Ezek 4 ^g; 5:1-4 ^h).
Summary for 2Kgs 2:9-10: 2:9-10 ⁱ A firstborn son, as the primary heir, inherited a double share of his father’s estate (Deut 21:17 ^j); Elisha asked that Elijah’s God-given spiritual abilities and privileges might continue to live through him.
2:11 ^k Chariot of fire ... horses of fire ... whirlwind: These things represent God’s appearance in mighty power (cp. Isa 66:15 ^l).

• Elijah was carried ... into heaven, like Enoch (Gen 5:24 ^m), 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 ⁿ Elijah was Elisha’s spiritual father and personal mentor. Cp. the tribute given him at his death, 13:14 ^o.
Summary for 2Kgs 2:13-15: 2:13-15 ^p 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 ^q The prophets searched the wilderness, perhaps to be certain that Elijah had not temporarily disappeared (cp. 1 Kgs 18:12 ^r). Elisha already knew that the search was pointless.