Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Kings 2:12

"And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and the horsemen thereof! And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces." — 2 Kings 2:12 (ASV)

And Elisha ... cried—Literally, And Elisha was seeing, and he (emphatic) was shouting. (Compare to 2 Kings 2:10, If thou see me taken away.)

My father, my father—Expresses what Elijah was to Elisha. (See Note on 2 Kings 2:9.)

The chariot (chariots—rèkeb) of Israel, and its horsemen—Expressing what Elijah was to the nation. The Targum paraphrases: “My master, my master, who was better to Israel than chariots and horsemen by his prayers.” The personal work and influence of a prophet like Elijah was the truest safeguard of Israel. The force of the expression will be seen if it is remembered that chariots and horsemen constituted, in that age, the chief military arm and were indispensable for the struggle against the Aramean states. (Compare to 2 Kings 7:6; 2 Kings 10:2; 2 Kings 13:14; 1 Kings 20:1; Psalms 20:7.)

He saw him no more—After his outcry. He had seen him taken up.

He tore them in two pieces—From top to bottom, as a sign of extreme sorrow. (For the phrase, compare to 1 Kings 11:30.)