Continuing in a mini-series of studies on 2 Kings 2:1-18, verses 2-6 cover things that happened before the big event. Starting out, in a pattern that is repeated multiple times in this chapter, Elijah asks Elisha to stay back while Elijah proceeds to his next destination, but Elisha recommits to following his master.
Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; the LORD has sent me to Bethel.”
But Elisha said, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.
The company of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and asked, “Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master from you today?”
“Yes, I know,” Elisha replied, “so be quiet.”
2 Kings 2:2-3 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/2ki.2.2-3.NIV
By the way, while we’re not sure about the prophet’s original location in this chapter, Bethel was north of Jerusalem, further west of the Jordan River than Jericho (which was their next stop after Bethel).
All of this seems to have been happening right around the border between the 2 parts of the so-called “divided kingdom” at that time: the kingdom of Judah (including the land of the tribe of Benjamin) to the south, and the kingdom of Israel to the north.
In verse 3, we also learn that the author of 2 Kings (as shown in 2 Kings 2:1) wasn’t the only one that knew that Elijah was leaving soon. Others in Bethel told Elisha that this was going to happen (“today”, no less), but apparently Elijah already knew.
I like his answer: “I know. Be quiet.” Maybe Elisha wasn’t ready to talk about it. Maybe Elijah wasn’t ready to talk about it. Maybe it would have been a distraction to actually living out the events of that day. I’m not sure. Sometimes, though, as I’ve heard that my great-grandparents would say, it’s wise to “Always tell the truth, but don’t always be telling it”.
In verses 4-6, Elijah asked Elisha a second time to stay put (this time, in Bethel), but Elisha insisted that he would not leave Elijah. Then, the two traveled from Bethel to Jericho.
Again, others (this time, in Jericho) told Elisha that God was taking Elijah that day, and again he assured them that he already knew, with instructions for them to be quiet about it (again!)
Elijah asked Elisha to stay put a third time, but Elisha remained committed to staying with Elijah. Like Jesus’ post-resurrection questions to Peter (see John 21:15-19), Elijah provided Elisha with multiple opportunities to make a choice, and in the end, Elisha – like Peter – remained committed. Both of these disciples were going to stick around until God revealed the “next big thing” to them, and both enjoyed the rewards of doing so.
From Sunday School lesson prepared for June 1, 2025
References:
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – 1 & 2 Kings, by Jesse C. Long, Jr. © 2002 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 