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Elisha wasn’t proudly asking to be better than Elijah was, but to inherit his ministry as a first-born son inherits from his father.

BibleGateway: 2 Kings 2:1-14

ESV Text: 2 Kings 2:1-14


KJV Text:

The section starts at about 0:0 and ends at about 2:58

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     1 And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. 2 And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel. 3 And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace. 4 And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho. 5 And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace. 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.(KJV)


Hymn: TLH 483:
God of the Prophets

Hymnary.org

— Organ Audio

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1. God of the prophets, bless the prophet’s sons; 
Elijah’s mantle o’er Elisha cast. 
Each age its solemn task may claim by once; 
Make each one nobler, stronger, than the last. 

2. Annoint them prophets. Make their ears attent 
To Thy divinest speech, their hearts awake 
To human need, their lips make eloquent 
To gird the right and every evil break. 

3. Annoint them priests. Strong intercessors, they, 
For pardon and for charity and peace. 
Ah, if with them the world might, now astray, 
Find in our Lord from all its woes release! 

4. Annoint them kings; aye, kingly kings, O Lord. 
Annoint them with the Spirit of Thy Son. 
Theirs not a jeweled crown, a blood-stained sword; 
Theirs, by sweet love, for Christ a kingdom won. 

5. Make them apostles, heralds of Thy Cross; 
Forth may they go to tell all realms Thy grace. 
Inspired of Thee, may they count all but loss 
And stand at last with joy before Thy face.