Many visual aids depict Elijah riding to heaven in the chariot, but verse 11 says that the chariot kept Elisha away while Elijah was taken up in the whirlwind.Įlisha did see Elijah as he was taken up – the sign that Elisha had received his request. If Elisha could see Elijah go, that would be a sign that he would have the Spirit as he had asked. The Spirit guided Elijah to explain how Elisha could know whether his request was granted. Elijah knew that only the Lord could choose whether or not Elisha would carry on his work. By asking for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, Elisha showed that he knew he would need much help to carry on Elijah’s work. It was customary for the oldest son to receive a double portion of a father’s estate. Instantly, there was a dry path across the river. He rolled it up and hit the surface of the water with it. In this chapter, he makes one last round of visits before being taken away.Įlijah’s cloak (or mantle) was a large cape that could be used as an overcoat by day and a blanket by night. Elijah probably travelled from place to place to teach them. There seem to have been classes of them in various places. The “company of the prophets” mentioned in today’s section of scripture were students who were taught by Elijah and others.
Elisha was Elijah’s helper and student ( 1 Kings 19:15- 21). At God’s command, Elijah invited Elisha to join up with him. Elisha would be the prophet who would replace Elijah when his work was complete. The Lord told Elijah that there were other prophets. Things got so bad at one point that Elijah thought he was the only prophet who had not been killed (1 Kings 19:14). The times continued to be dangerous for prophets, and Elijah often barely escaped death. Joram also carried on the family tradition of worshipping false gods.Įlijah continued to be a prophet for the Lord during the reigns of Ahab, Ahaziah and Joram. At that time, another of Ahab’s sons, Joram, became the new king of Israel. He reigned only two years and had no sons. His son Ahaziah became king, but he also chose to ignore the Lord and follow after false gods like his father had done. While King Jehoshaphat was still ruling the kingdom of Judah, the evil King Ahab of Israel died.