📖 2 Kings — Chapter 2 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
2 Kings 2:1 And it came to pass, when the LORD would Rtake up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.
2 Kings 2:2 And Elijah said unto Elisha, RTarry 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.
2 Kings 2:3 RAnd 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.
2 Kings 2:4 And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, RAs the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho.
2 Kings 2:5 And Rthe 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.
2 Kings 2:6 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.
2 Kings 2:7 And Rfifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood Tto view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan.
2 Kings 2:8 And Elijah took Rhis 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.
2 Kings 2:9 And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, RAsk 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.
2 Kings 2:10 And he said, RTThou 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.
2 Kings 2:11 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 Rinto heaven.
2 Kings 2:12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And Rhe saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.
2 Kings 2:13 He took up also Rthe mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the Tbank of Jordan;
2 Kings 2:14 And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and Rsmote 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.
2 Kings 2:15 And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, RThe spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.
2 Kings 2:16 And they said unto him, Behold now, there be with thy servants fifty Tstrong men; let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master: lest peradventure Rthe Spirit of the LORD hath taken him up, and cast him upon Tsome mountain, or into some valley. And he said, Ye shall not send.
2 Kings 2:17 And when Rthey urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not.
2 Kings 2:18 And when they came again to him, (for he tarried at Jericho,) he said unto them, Did I not say unto you, Go not?
2 Kings 2:19 And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as Rmy lord seeth: but the water is naught, and the ground Tbarren.
2 Kings 2:20 And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put Rsalt therein. And they brought it to him.
2 Kings 2:21 And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and Rcast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land.
2 Kings 2:22 So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake.
2 Kings 2:23 And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth Rlittle children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.
2 Kings 2:24 And he turned back, and looked on them, and Rcursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.
2 Kings 2:25 And he went from thence to Rmount Carmel, and from thence he returned to Samaria.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Kings 2:1–8 — Elisha remains with Elijah
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Elisha refuses to leave Elijah as they travel through Bethel and Jericho to Jordan. Prophetic communities know a separation is near. Elijah strikes the water with his mantle and they cross on dry ground. Elisha’s commitment is expressed through accompanying and serving his teacher.
Key Truth: Steadfast service matters at times of transition.
Check What You Remember
1. Who refused to leave Elijah? (2 Kings 2:2)
Find it in 2 Kings 2:2 (KJV).
2. Which river did they cross? (2 Kings 2:6)
Find it in 2 Kings 2:6 (KJV).
3. What did Elijah use to strike its waters? (2 Kings 2:8)
Find it in 2 Kings 2:8 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Kings 2:9–18 — Elijah is taken and Elisha takes up the mantle
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Elisha asks for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. Fire separates them, and Elijah goes up by a whirlwind, not explicitly by riding in the chariot. Elisha takes the mantle and crosses Jordan; others recognize the spirit resting on him. Their unsuccessful search confirms Elijah’s departure.
Key Truth: Read the account’s exact wording rather than only familiar retellings.
Check What You Remember
1. What portion did Elisha request? (2 Kings 2:9)
Find it in 2 Kings 2:9 (KJV).
2. By what did Elijah go into heaven? (2 Kings 2:11)
Find it in 2 Kings 2:11 (KJV).
3. What did Elisha take up? (2 Kings 2:13)
Find it in 2 Kings 2:13 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Kings 2:19–25 — Healing waters and a severe encounter
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Elisha announces the LORD’s healing of Jericho’s waters. At Bethel, mockery is followed by his curse and an attack by bears. The KJV calls the group little children; do not replace that wording with unsupported claims about their exact ages or motives. This difficult judgment is not instruction to harm someone who mocks.
Key Truth: Treat difficult passages carefully without inventing details to resolve discomfort.
Check What You Remember
1. What did Elisha put in a new cruse? (2 Kings 2:20)
Find it in 2 Kings 2:20 (KJV).
2. How many bears came out? (2 Kings 2:24)
Find it in 2 Kings 2:24 (KJV).
3. Where did Elisha return at the end? (2 Kings 2:25)
Find it in 2 Kings 2:25 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
1 Kings 19:16 — God’s earlier instruction identifies Elisha as Elijah’s successor.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
What can you learn from faithful service during change? Also consider the importance of admitting where a difficult passage leaves questions unanswered.
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. What repeated response shows Elisha’s determination?
2. What condition accompanies the requested double portion?
3. What recognizes Elisha’s succession among the prophets?
4. What does Elisha attribute the healing of the waters to?
5. What distinction does the text make in Elijah’s departure?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
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