Matthew Henry Commentary 2 Kings 2:13-18

"He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of the Jordan. And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is Jehovah, the God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they were divided hither and thither; and Elisha went over. And when the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho over against him saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him. And they said unto him, Behold now, there are with thy servants fifty strong men; let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master, lest the Spirit of Jehovah hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, Ye shall not send. And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not. And they came back to him, while he tarried at Jericho; and he said unto them, Did I not say unto you, Go not?" — 2 Kings 2:13-18 (ASV)

Elijah left his mantle to Elisha. This was a sign of the Spirit's descent upon him, and it was more valuable than if he had left him thousands of gold and silver. Elisha took it up, not as a sacred relic to be worshipped, but as a significant garment to be worn. Now that Elijah was taken to heaven, Elisha inquired:

1. After God; when our creature comforts are removed, we have a God to go to, who lives forever.
2. After the God whom Elijah served, honored, and pleaded for.

The Lord God of the holy prophets is the same yesterday, today, and forever. But what good will it do us to have the mantles of those who are gone, their places, their books, if we do not have their spirit, their God?

Consider Elisha's dividing of the river; God's people need not fear, in the end, passing through the Jordan of death as if on dry ground.

The sons of the prophets made a needless search for Elijah. Wise men may yield to that for the sake of peace and the good opinion of others, even when their own judgment is against it as needless and fruitless.

Traversing hills and valleys will never bring us to Elijah, but following the example of his holy faith and zeal will, in due time.