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Elisha wasn’t asking to be greater than Elijah (v. 9), but rather to inherit his ministry, which he did (v. 15).

BibleGateway: 2 Kings 2:6-18

ESV Text: 2 Kings 2:6-18


KJV Text:

The section starts at about 1:3 and ends at about 3:43

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6 And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on. 7 And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan. 8 And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.

     9 And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. 10 And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. 11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot 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.

     13 He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; 14 And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over. 15 And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho 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. 16 And they said unto him, Behold now, there be with thy servants fifty strong men; let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master: lest peradventure the spirit of the LORD hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, Ye shall not send. 17 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. 18 And when they came again to him, (for he tarried at Jericho,) he said unto them, Did I not say unto you, Go not?(KJV)


Hymn: WS 780:
Dear Lord, to Your True Servants Give

1. Dear Lord, to Your true servants give  
The grace to You alone to live.  
Set free from sin to serve You, Lord,  
They go to share Your living Word,  
The gospel message to proclaim  
That all may know Your saving name. 

2. They gladly go at Your command  
To spread your Word o’er sea and land.  
Be with them, Lord, and make them strong  
To heal sin’s ills, to right the wrong.  
Your rule is over wind and wave,  
And mighty is Your arm to save. 

3. When all their labor seems in vain,  
Revive their sinking hopes again;  
And when success crowns what they do,  
Oh,keep them humble, Lord, and true  
Until before Your judgment seat  
They lay their trophies at Your feet.