soul lived, and because he was resolved, so long as it was so, not to leave him. That the same phrase may be applied to dif∣ferent things, in different respects, and that together, is evident, Exod. 14. 31. See 1 Sam. 20. 3. and 25. 26.
V. 3. sons of the prophets] See 1 King. 18. 4.
K••owest thou, &c.] The LORD had before-hand made known how he meant to take away Elijah.
from thy head] From being over thee as an instructer and go∣vernour. The chiefer and elder prophets in their colledges sate as doctors, in high seats, over the heads of their disciples (Neh. 8. 5.) who sate at their feet, Act. 22. 3.
hold your peace] I need not be instructed by you therein; therefore trouble me not with any discourse thereabouts.
V. 4. Jericho] In the tribe of Benjamin, Josh. 18. 21. though the first ruined city were accursed (see 1 King. ••6. 34.) yet there were buildings thereabouts, and prophets trained up therein, as in Gilgal, Beth-el, and other places, wherefore Eli∣jah, about the time of his departure, visited these places.
V. 5. Yea, I know it] I also know it: I as well as you. For the LORD hath revealed it to me.
V. 6. Tarry] The third time he makes the same motion to try his constancy.
V. 7. stood to view afar off] Heb. in sight, or over against. To observe in what manner Elijah should be taken away.
they two] Elijah and Elisha.
V. 8. his mantle] That upper garment which he used to wear, and whereby he was known to be Elijah, chap. 1. 1. and with which he covered his face, 1 King. 19. 13.
wrapt it together] That he might use it the more easily.
smote the waters] A means was used to shew that that great work was done not casually, but by his ministery: and so unlike∣ly means to shew that a divine power accompanied the means: so Exod. 14. 21.
hither and thither] Some one way, some another: as Exod. 14. 21, 22.
dry ground] As Exod: 14. 22. Josh. 3. 17.
V. 9. Ask▪ &c.] This offer Elijah made by divine instinct. It is like, 1 King. 3. 5.
I shall do] As Gods instrument and minister: so Acts 8. 17.
a double portion of thy spirit] Heb. a mouth (or a portion) of two in thy spirit. That phrase is oft used for a double portion, or two parts, as Deut. 21. 17. Zach. 13. 8. Elisha being to succeed his master, and to be the head of the prophets, desireth that (as the first-born had a double portion above any of his other bre∣thren) he may have a double portion above the other prophets▪ or the two parts of Elijahs spirit, which were to foretell things to come, and to work miracles: or if it be taken for the doub∣ling of Elijahs gifts on him, then it implieth, an holy, earnest, unsatisfied desire of promoting Gods glory, and doing good to Gods people, even above his master that excelled therein: as 1 Cor. 12. 31. and 14. 12.
V. 10. Thou hast asked an hard thing] Heb. Thou hast done hard in asking. A rare and difficult thing: such as none but God can grant. So Dan. 2. 11.
If thou see, &c.] This is a sign to assure him that his desire should be granted.
If not, &c.] This is added to make him more heedfull in observing the manner of Elijahs departure, that he might be an eye witnesse thereof, as Acts 1. 10.
V. 11. they still went on, and talked] Heb. they went going and talking.
a charet of fire, &c.] A fiery apparition in shape like horses drawing a charet, as chap. 6. 17. A charet is a fit means to carry a man from place to place: and hors••s use to draw a charet: Therefore Gods Angels that carried up Elijah are thus set out: and all fiery, for the greater glory and brightnesse: but such a fire, as Exod. 3. 2.
by a whirl-winde] Which carried up the charet with him in it.
into heaven] In his body and soul, so as (like Enoch, Heb. 11. 5.) he never died. This rapture was a type of Christs ascensi∣on, Mark. 16. 19.
V. 12. he cryed] Earnestly prayed to have the promise ac∣complished, 1 King. 22. 32.
My father] A title of excellency and superiority: doubled, in testimony of his true and hearty acknowledgement thereof. See chap. 5. 13. chap. 13. 14.
the charet, &c.] He so stiles him in allusion to the manner of his rapture: and to shew that he was a better defence to Israel, then horse-men and charets could be: in acknowledge∣ment hereof a king of Israel so stiles Elisha, chapter 13. vers. 14.
he saw him no more] Being carried into heaven, Act. 1. 3.
rent them] An ancient, usuall expression of grief and asto∣nishment, Gen. 37. 29, 34. See 1 King. 21. 27.
V. 13. the mantle] To keep it in memory of his master.
hank] Heb. lip.
V. 14. smote the waters] In imitation of his master, vers. 8. and to try whither his desire of a double spirit were granted, or no.
Where is the Lord, &c.] That God which wrought wonders by Elijah, to work by me now as he did before by Elijah. These are words, not of diffidence, but of earnest desire of experimen∣tall proof.
smitten, &c.] As v. 8.
V. 15. to view at Jericho] Verse 7.
spirit of Elijah] Such power of Gods spirit as was manifest∣ed in, and by the ministery of Elijah.
bowed] In a civill manner acknowledging him to be now their father and master, as Elijah was before. See chapter 4. 37.
V. 16. thy servants] A phrase of subjection to him.
strong men] Heb. sons of strength.
thy master] They thought that he might be carried from place to place, as 1 King. 18. 12.
some mountain] Heb▪ one of the mountains.
Ye shall not send] For he knew that Elijahs body and soul were both in heaven.
V. 17. ashamed] That he should seem inexorable: or that they should be without cause importunate.
Send] That they might by experience see their errour: and be more fully assured of his ascent into heaven. See Matth. 11. 2.
V. 18. at Jericho] Till the fifty men returned.
V. 19. the city] Jericho.
raught] Unwholesome. See the notes on Numb. 13. 20.
barren] Heb. causing to miscarry. The fruit thereof grows not to maturity. Or it is noxious: so as many perish thereon.
V. 20. salt] This may seem to be a most unlikely means. See Judg. 9. 45.
V. 21. I have healed] The blessing on means cometh from the LORD.
barren] As v. 19.
V. 22. unto this day] Wherein this history was written: which was many yeers after this fact. See the Argument on this book. This phrase implieth a lon••, i•• not a perpetuall time.
V. 23. children] Of the idol••ters that lived in that city.
mocked him] In contempt of his person, being bald-headed: and of his office, being a prophet of the LORD.
V. 24. in the name of the Lord] By divine instinct, and by commission from the LORD: not on a revengefull minde in his own cause, but to the glory of God, and withall calling upon God. See 2 Chro. 14. 11.
V. 25. from thence] He went up and down from place to place, partly to avoid danger, but principally to do the more good.
to Samaria] It may be that Elisha foreseeing that the three kings would have occasion to use him, and his ministery (as they did, chap. 3. 12.) went thither purposely. Or God by his secret providence might direct his journey thither for that end.