Bible Studies
The Transfer of Prophetic Leadership to Elisha (2 Kings 2:1-3)
Series: Studies in Second KingsIntroduction:
1. Second Kings 2 describes the transition of prophetic leadership from Elijah to Elisha. 2. The account leaves us asking some questions.a. Why does Elijah, in the course of the journey repeatedly try to leave Elisha behind? We are not told.
b. What is the motive for the journey to Gilgal, Bethel, Jericho and the Jordan? It is not made explicit in the text.
3. While we may be puzzled by these questions there are a number of very practical things to be observed from this text. But before we do that let’s give consideration to what the text actually says.Discussion:
I. The journey to the Jordan (2:1-7).A. Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal, to Bethel, to Jericho and to the Jordan.
1. At Gilgal, Bethel and Jericho there were “sons of the prophets” (4:38; 2:3, 5).
2. This is not a reference to being a physical descendent of a prophet, but to being a member of a prophetic order or a group of prophets.
3. The Hebrew term occurs eleven times, all during the period of Elijah and Elisha and only in the books of 1 and 2 Kings.
4. It would seem apparent that these sons of the prophets would carry on the work of communicating God’s message to the people in their various localities.
B. Elijah would appear to be leader of these groups and visiting each to transfer his leadership to Elisha.
1. At Bethel and Jericho the sons of the prophets describe Elijah as Elisha’s “master.”
2. It may be that they consider him also their master.
3. Nevertheless, the text does not make clear the relationship of Elijah and Elisha to these “sons of the prophets” except that they are all prophets.
4. That there were many prophets in the land is evidenced in the fact that when Jezebel had destroyed the prophets of the Lord, Obadiah had taken 100 prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave (1 Kings 18:4).
5. We need not think that only those prophets mentioned by name in Scripture were the only prophets in Israel. Indeed the evidence indicates that there were many and that the word of God was readily available to the people.
C. In addition, each of these places is a place of historical significance tracing back to the days of Joshua and before.
1. Gilgal was the place where the stones from the Jordan were set up after Israel crossed the Jordan and entered the promised land (Josh. 4:19-24).
a. This was the place where they were circumcised and observed the first Passover in the promised land (Josh. 5:8-10).
b. The word “Gilgal” means to “roll away.” This is the place where the Lord said, “I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.”
c. From here on they would be “separated to God.”
d. The location of Gilgal is uncertain. Some suggest that there may have been as many as 4 places in Israel named “Gilgal.”
2. Bethel means “house of God.”
a. It was the place where Jacob had seen his ladder reaching up to heaven (Gen. 28:10-19).
b. Thus he said, “This is none other than the house of God.”
c. This was also the place where Jeroboam had set up an idol.
3. Jericho was the first city conquered by Joshua as they entered the land (Josh. 5:13).
a. This was the place they learned they must trust the Lord in order to conquer the land.
b. This is where they marched around the walls and blew trumpets and God gave them the city.
4. The Jordan was the place where God had validated Joshua’s leadership.
a. When the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant set foot in the Jordan the waters were cut off and stood in a heap. It was during the annual flood. The people crossed on dry ground (Josh. 4:7-17).
b. Now Elijah and Elisha crossed on dry ground. Fifty men of the sons of the prophets witnessed the occurrence (2 Kings 2:7-8).
II. Elijah was taken up into heaven and Elisha was given a double portion of his spirit (2 Kings 2:9-15).A. That God has been the source of Elijah’s authoritative ministry is confirmed by the crossing of the Jordan and then again by his being taken up into heaven in the fiery chariot.
B. Elisha’s having witnessed this and his parting of the waters at Jordan as he crosses back over confirms the transfer of prophetic leadership to Elisha.
1. Elisha asked for what an eldest son would expect—a double portion.
2. It was the crossing of the Jordan on dry ground that God used to confirm the transition from Moses to Joshua (Josh. 3:7).
C. The 50 prophets witness the crossing and confirm, “The spirit of Elijah now rests on Elisha.”
III. Elisha re-enters the land as the Israelites had under Joshua.A. He crossed the Jordan on dry ground.
B. In Jericho he purified the waters of the spring.
C. At Bethel he cursed the lads who mocked him.
1. Recall that this is the place where Jeroboam had set up one of his idols.
2. We should not be surprised to find disrespect for the prophet of God at this place.
3. Is this mocking of the prophet reflective of the disrespect of the Lord as God in this place? (cf. 1 Kings 13:1-4; 2 Kings 1:2-17).
4. The miracle validates Elisha as a prophet of the true God.
D. Elisha went from Bethel to Mt. Carmel and to Samaria.
1. It is from here that Elisha began his ministry.
2. He prophesied in Israel.
IV. Practical considerations.A. Elisha began with commitment and would not be dissuaded.
1. He left his family and affairs and committed to the work that God had for him to do (1 Kings 19:19ff).
2. He maintained his commitment even though tested by Elijah (2 Kings 2:1ff).
3. He remained committed to his calling.
B. This episode becomes a model of an effective way to transfer leadership.
1. Elisha had been with Elijah. Worked along side of him before the leadership was transferred.
2. Elijah committed to do the work.
3. The sons of the prophets supported him in the work.
4. Elisha depended upon a double portion of the spirit of Elijah for his work.
5. God validated the transfer.
C. Elisha went about his work with the authority of God behind him.
D. He demanded that the Lord and the Lord’s prophet be respected.
Conclusion:
1. We will do well in the church and in our families to make clear transfer of leadership. 2. We will do well to make sure God validates leaders as those whom He selects. Cf. Acts 1:15ff, esp. v. 24. 3. Will you cross the Jordan committed to working to communicate the word of the Lord to His people?
