Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Kings 2

And it came to pass ... whirlwind.—The compiler has prefixed this heading to the following narrative by way of connection with the general thread of the history. It seems to be indicated that the event happened at the beginning of the reign of Jehoram; but see Note on 2 Chronicles 21:12.

When the Lord would take up.—When Jehovah caused Elijah to go up, or ascend. This anticipates the conclusion of the story.

Into heaven.—Hebrew, accusative of direction, as in 2 Kings 2:11. The Septuagint renders, ὡς εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν “as into heaven,” perhaps to suggest that not the visible heavens, but God, was the real goal of the prophet’s ascension.

By a whirlwind.—In the storm.

Gilgal.—This refers to the Hebrew term, the Gilgal, that is, the Ring (compare Isaiah 28:28, “wheel”), a descriptive name for more than one place.

The Gilgal mentioned here is in Ephraim, the present-day Jiljîlia, which stands on a hill southwest of Seilûn (Shiloh), near the road leading from there to Jericho (Hosea 4:15; Amos 4:4).

Hosea and Amos connect this Gilgal with Bethel as a sanctuary. It was probably marked by a ring of stones, similar to those at Stonehenge and Avebury.

From this spot, the mountain land of Gilead, the Great Sea, and the snowy heights of Hermon were all visible, so that the prophet could take from there a last look at the whole country which had been the scene of his earthly activity.

Said. —Not spoke, as throughout the account in 2 Kings 1:2–16; a mark of different origin.

Tarry here, I pray thee. —This was said, not to test Elisha’s affection, nor from a motive of humility, so that Elisha might not witness his glorious ascension, but because Elijah was uncertain whether it was God’s will that Elisha should go with him (Compare to 2 Kings 2:10). Elisha’s threefold refusal to leave him settled the doubt (Compare to John 21:15 and following).

The LORD hath sent me to Beth-el. —Why? Not merely to “see once more this holiest place in Israel, the spiritual centre of the kingdom of the ten tribes” (Ewald), but to visit the prophetic schools, or guilds, established there, and at Gilgal and Jericho, and to confirm their fidelity to Jehovah. Gilgal and Beth-el, as ancient Canaanite sanctuaries, were centres of illegal worship of the God of Israel. The guilds of the prophets may have been intended to counteract this evil influence at its headquarters (Bähr).

As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth. — 2 Kings 4:30; 1 Samuel 20:3. A more solemn and emphatic oath than As the Lord liveth (Judges 8:19), or As thy soul liveth (1 Samuel 1:26). Literally, By the life of Jehovah and by the life of your soul (i.e., of yourself, your own life).

They went down. —From Gilgal. The phrase proves that the Gilgal between the Jordan and Jericho cannot be meant in 2 Kings 2:1 (Joshua 5:10).

The sons of the prophets. —See Notes on 1 Kings 20:35; 1 Samuel 10:10; 1 Samuel 19:20. There was a guild of prophets at Bethel.

Came out to Elisha. —He probably walked a short distance ahead of his master to announce his approach.

And said to him. —The prophetic college had been divinely forewarned of Elijah’s departure.

The Lord will take away ... today. —“Today” is emphatic. “Do you know that this day Jehovah is about to take away your lord from beside you?”

The word “head” may signify self or person, similar to how “soul” and other terms are used. (1 Samuel 28:2; 2 Samuel 1:16.)

Others explain “from over your head” as meaning from his position of superiority over you as your master and teacher. (See 1 Kings 19:21; Acts 22:3.)

Still others, though very improbably, take the words literally as a reference to Elijah’s ascension, “away over your head.”

Yes, I know. —Rather, I, too, know.

Hold your peace. —Elisha says this, not to prevent the gathering of a crowd to witness the spectacle of Elijah’s departure, nor to imply that his master’s modesty would be shocked by much talk about his approaching exaltation, but simply to suggest that the subject is painful both to him and to his beloved master. The Hebrew term, hehĕshû, imitates the sound, like our “hush!”

And Elijah said. —The exact repetition of the language of 2 Kings 2:2–3 in this and the next two verses appears to indicate that the narrative had originally been handed on by oral tradition, probably in the prophetic guilds at the local sanctuaries.

Came. — Drew near.

Answered — Said.