Read the Passage: 2 Kings 1-2

Ahaziah’s Illness (1:1–18)

Recall 1 Kings 22:51–53 reported that upon the death of Ahab, his son Ahaziah ascended to the throne. Like all of the other kings of Israel, Ahaziah was evil, and his reign lasted less than two years. Note that Ahaziah, the ninth king of Israel, ought not to be confused with Ahaziah, the sixth king of Judah. 2 Kings 1:1–4 records an occasion when Ahaziah was critically injured and sent messengers to Ekron to inquire of Baal whether he would recover or not. Ahaziah’s wicked character is evident in this passage, for while he must have known that his father was killed for false worship (cf. 1 Kings 21:22), he still sought Baal in a time of need. 2 Kings 1:3–4 reports that God sent Elijah, who last appeared in 1 Kings 21:28, to intercept Ahaziah’s messengers and to tell him, “You shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die” (2 Kings 1:4).

When Ahaziah’s messengers returned to him, he inquired about the reason for their quick journey. Ahaziah learned that his envoys had encountered Elijah the prophet, whose message was that he would not recover. Note that the reference to Elijah being “a hairy man” (2 Kings 1:8) likely refers to his outer garment, not to his personal appearance (cf. Zech. 13:4; Matt. 7:15). Elijah’s message to Ahaziah prompted the king to send three different groups of fifty soldiers to summon the prophet. 2 Kings 1:10–12 records that the first two groups of soldiers were killed by fire from heaven. While the death of these men may seem to be harsh, this occurred to communicate Elijah’s position, to validate Elijah’s message, and to demonstrate that Elijah was worthy of respect from both Ahaziah and his soldiers. Finally, God spared the third group as they approached Elijah with humility.

Elijah’s Ascension (2:1–18)

Elijah’s ministry in Israel began at 1 Kings 17:1, lasted several decades, and ended at 2 Kings 2:11. This passage narrates the events just prior to Elijah’s ascension. At this time, Elisha, who had been identified as Elijah’s successor at 1 Kings 19:16, knew that Elijah’s departure was imminent. This fact had also been revealed to several groups of prophets. In this narrative, Elijah attempted to depart from Elisha on three separate occasions. Yet, each time Elisha declared, “I will not leave you” (2 Kings 2:2, 4, 6). Finally, when they had crossed over the Jordan river, Elijah gave Elisha a chance to make a final request of him. Elisha boldly asked, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me” (2 Kings 1:9). This request reflected the Jewish civil law which specified that the birthright of a firstborn son was to receive a double-portion of the family inheritance (cf. Deut. 21:17).

After Elijah had ascended to heaven in a chariot of fire, Elisha retrieved Elijah’s mantle and returned to a group of prophets who had accompanied them to the Jordan river. Elisha’s first miracle was to use Elijah’s mantle to divide the river (cf. 2 Kings 2:14), just as Elijah had done earlier in the day (cf. 2 Kings 2:8). This event showed that Elisha had succeeded Elijah in his prophetic role and was his legitimate spiritual heir. The gathered prophets recognized this and concluded, “The spirit from Elijah rests on Elisha” (2 Kings 2:15). Next, 2 Kings 2:16–18 records that these prophets wanted to search the region for Elijah, just in case God had “taken him up and cast him upon some mountain or into some valley” (2 Kings 2:16). Since these prophets knew that Elisha had succeeded Elijah, it seem likely that they were looking for Elijah’s body, not necessarily for his person.

Elisha’s Miracles (2:19–25)

As evidence that Elisha received a double-portion of Elijah’s spirit, observe the book of 1 & 2 Kings records nine miracles of Elijah, while reporting eighteen miracles of Elisha. 2 Kings 2:19–25 narrates two miracles performed by Elisha. First, 2 Kings 2:19–22 details how Elisha healed the water supply for the entire city of Jericho. This was a significant miracle, for more than five hundred years earlier, Jericho had been cursed by Joshua, leaving the region basically uninhabitable (cf. Josh. 6:26). Yet, at 1 Kings 16:34, just prior to the appearance of Elijah, it was recorded that a man named Hiel had rebuilt Jericho at the cost of his oldest and youngest sons, thus fulfilling Joshua’s curse. Second, 2 Kings 2:23–24 records an instance when Elisha summoned two bears to maul a group of idolatrous youth who were taunting him, and who were by extension, offending God.

Application Questions:

1. What steps can we take to ensure that those who follow us will embrace our values and walk with the Lord?
2. Given that Ahab died on account of his false worship, how can we explain Ahaziah’s continued idolatry?
3. Does God’s execution of the one-hundred soldiers sent by Ahaziah seem harsh or even unjust?
4. Since he had already been identified as Elijah’s successor, why did Elisha ask for a double-portion of Elijah’s spirit?
5. Does the mauling, or perhaps death, of the group of forty-two youth seem to be excessive punishment?