◄ 2 Kings 2:9 ►
After they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken away from you?" "Please, let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha replied.
Study Bible
After they had crossed over,

Elijah and Elisha stood east of the Jordan after the waters had divided before Elijah’s mantle. Their crossing recalled Israel’s entrance into the land under Joshua and marked a new transition in God’s dealings with His people. Elisha had followed Elijah beyond the place where the other prophets remained, showing his devotion and readiness to receive the charge ahead.

Jos 3:17 The priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD…
Jos 4:23 For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan…
Exo 14:21-22 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea,…

Elijah said to Elisha,

Elijah addressed the man whom God had appointed to succeed him. Their relationship joined personal discipleship with divine calling: Elisha had served Elijah faithfully, yet his future ministry would depend upon the Lord’s power rather than upon Elijah’s presence.

1Ki 19:19-21 So Elijah departed and found Elisha son of Shaphat.…
Deu 31:7-8 Then Moses called for Joshua and said to him…
Jos 1:1-2 Now after the death of His servant Moses,…

“Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken away from you?”

Elijah knew that the Lord was about to remove him from earthly ministry. His question resembles the blessing of a father preparing to leave an inheritance to his son. Elijah could not grant spiritual power independently, but he could hear Elisha’s request and point him toward the God who equips His servants.

1Ki 3:5-14 One night at Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream,…
Gen 47:29-30 When the time drew near for Israel to die, he called…

“Please, let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied.

Elisha asked to be regarded as Elijah’s principal spiritual heir, like the firstborn son who received a double share of his father’s inheritance. He did not seek personal greatness or twice Elijah’s power; he sought the prophetic enablement necessary to continue Elijah’s work in a nation still divided by idolatry. The request revealed humility, dependence, and confidence that the God who had sustained Elijah could also empower His servant for the ministry ahead.

Deu 21:17 Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son…
Num 27:18-23 And the LORD replied to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun,…
Num 11:24-29 So Moses went out and relayed to the people…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Elijah
A major prophet in Israel, known for his powerful miracles and his role in turning the hearts of the Israelites back to God. He is about to be taken up to heaven in a whirlwind.

2. Elisha
The devoted disciple and successor of Elijah, who desires to carry on Elijah's prophetic ministry with even greater power and effectiveness.

3. Jordan River
The place where Elijah and Elisha cross over before Elijah is taken up. It symbolizes a transition and a place of divine encounters.

4. Double Portion
A term that refers to the inheritance rights of the firstborn son, symbolizing Elisha's request for a greater measure of Elijah's prophetic spirit.

5. Heavenly Ascension
The event where Elijah is taken up to heaven, marking a significant transition in prophetic leadership from Elijah to Elisha.
Teaching Points
Desire for Spiritual Inheritance
Elisha's request for a double portion reflects a deep desire for spiritual inheritance and empowerment. As believers, we should seek to inherit and cultivate spiritual gifts and responsibilities.

Mentorship and Succession
Elijah and Elisha's relationship highlights the importance of mentorship in spiritual growth. We should seek godly mentors and also be willing to mentor others in their faith journey.

Boldness in Prayer
Elisha's bold request teaches us to approach God with confidence and faith, asking for what we need to fulfill our calling.

Preparation for Greater Works
Elisha's preparation under Elijah's mentorship prepared him for greater works. We should be diligent in our preparation and training for the tasks God has for us.

Faithfulness in Following
Elisha's faithfulness in following Elijah until the end is a model of perseverance and dedication. We are called to be faithful in our walk with God, even when the path is challenging.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does Elisha's request for a "double portion" reveal about his understanding of his role and responsibilities as Elijah's successor?

2. How can we apply the principle of spiritual inheritance in our own lives and ministries today?

3. In what ways can we seek and cultivate mentorship relationships within our church communities?

4. How does Elisha's boldness in asking for a double portion challenge us in our own prayer lives?

5. What steps can we take to ensure we are prepared for the greater works God has planned for us, as Elisha was prepared by Elijah?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 21:17
This verse explains the concept of the "double portion" as the right of the firstborn, which Elisha requests in a spiritual sense.

1 Kings 19:19-21
This passage describes Elisha's initial call to follow Elijah, highlighting his commitment and the beginning of his journey as a prophet.

Acts 1:8
The promise of receiving power from the Holy Spirit, similar to Elisha's request for a double portion of Elijah's spirit, emphasizing the empowerment for ministry.
Sermons
A Final Interview Between Good MenHomilist2 Kings 2:9
A Parting RequestC.H. Irwin 2 Kings 2:9
Elisha's RequestArchdeacon Perowne.2 Kings 2:9
The Noblest Legacy of the Departed GoodPerkins, William2 Kings 2:9
The Spirit of ElijahL. A. Banks, D. D.2 Kings 2:9
What is the Best Service I Can Render My FellowsHomiletic Review2 Kings 2:9
The Departure of Good MenD. Thomas 2 Kings 2:1-14
Elijah TranslatedH. Crosby, D. D.2 Kings 2:1-15
Elijah TranslatedMonday Club Sermons2 Kings 2:1-15
Elisha's Love for ElijahL. A. Banks, D. D.2 Kings 2:1-15
EvensongF. B. Meyer, B. A.2 Kings 2:1-15
Life's EventideF. S. Webster, M. A.2 Kings 2:1-15
The Ascension of ElijahCanon Hutchings, M. A.2 Kings 2:1-15
The Christian a Native of HeavenAlex. Maclaren, D. D.2 Kings 2:1-15
The Departure of Good MenHomilist2 Kings 2:1-15
The Translation of ElijahJ. Parker, D. D.2 Kings 2:1-15
Elijah Taken UpJ. Orr 2 Kings 2:7-15
People
Elijah, Elisha
Places
Bethel, Gilgal, Jericho, Jordan River, Mount Carmel, Samaria
Topics
Crossed, Double, Elijah, Eli'jah, Elisha, Eli'sha, Inherit, Measure, Pass, Passing, Please, Pleased, Portion, Replied, Share, Special, Spirit
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 2:9

     5705   inheritance, spiritual
     8422   equipping, spiritual

Library
The Translation of Elijah and the Ascension of Christ
'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.'--2 KINGS ii. 11. 'And it came to pass, while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.'--LUKE xxiv. 51. These two events, the translation of Elijah and the Ascension of our Lord, have sometimes been put side by side in order to show that the latter narrative is nothing …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Elijah's Translation and Elisha's Deathbed
And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.'--2 KINGS ii. 12. '...And Joash, the King of Israel, came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said. O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof.'--2 KINGS xiii. U. The scenes and the speakers are strangely different in these two incidents. The one scene is that mysterious translation on the further bank of the Jordan, when a mortal was swept up to heaven in a …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Chariot of Fire
'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 Beth-el. And Elisha said unto him, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. 80 they went down to Beth-el 3, And the sons of the prophets that were at Beth-el came forth to Elisha and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Lord will take away thy master from thy head …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Gentleness Succeeding Strength
'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 …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Preparing to Depart
"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."--2 Kings 2:11. IT seems to me that the departure of Elijah from the world, though of course he did not "die" at all, may furnish us with a very good type of the decease of those saints who, although taken away on a sudden, are not without some previous intimation that in such a manner they will be …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 54: 1908

Whether Hope is a Help or a Hindrance to Action?
Objection 1: It would seem that hope is not a help but a hindrance to action. Because hope implies security. But security begets negligence which hinders action. Therefore hope is a hindrance to action. Objection 2: Further, sorrow hinders action, as stated above ([1361]Q[37], A[3]). But hope sometimes causes sorrow: for it is written (Prov. 13:12): "Hope that is deferred afflicteth the soul." Therefore hope hinders action. Objection 3: Further, despair is contrary to hope, as stated above [1362](A[4]). …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Jericho Itself.
We read, that this city was not only wasted by Joshua with fire and sword, but cursed also. "Cursed be he before the Lord, who shall rise up and build that city Jericho," Joshua 6:26. "Nor was another city to be built (says the Talmudists), which was to be called by the name of Jericho: nor was Jericho itself to be built, although to be called by another name." And yet I know not by what chance this city crept out of dust and rubbish, lived again, and flourished, and became the second city to Jerusalem. …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Consolations against the Fear of Death.
If in the time of thy sickness thou findest thyself fearful to die, meditate-- 1. That it argueth a dastardly mind to fear that which is not; for in the church of Christ there is no death (Isa. xxv. 7, 8), and whosoever liveth and believeth in Christ, shall never die (John xi. 26). Let them fear death who live without Christ. Christians die not; but when they please God, they are like Enoch translated unto God (Gen. v. 24;) their pains are but Elijah's fiery chariot to carry them up to heaven (2 …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Country of Jericho, and the Situation of the City.
Here we will borrow Josephus' pencil, "Jericho is seated in a plain, yet a certain barren mountain hangs over it, narrow, indeed, but long; for it runs out northward to the country of Scythopolis,--and southward, to the country of Sodom, and the utmost coast of the Asphaltites." Of this mountain mention is made, Joshua 2:22, where the two spies, sent by Joshua, and received by Rahab, are said to "conceal themselves." "Opposite against this, lies a mountain on the other side Jordan, beginning from …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

The Baptist's Testimony.
"There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for witness, that he might bear witness of the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came that he might bear witness of the light.... John beareth witness of Him, and crieth, saying, This was He of whom I said, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for He was before me. For of His fulness we all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses; grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. …
Marcus Dods—The Expositor's Bible: The Gospel of St. John, Vol. I

Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
1. The Greek word canon (originally a straight rod or pole, measuring-rod, then rule) denotes that collection of books which the churches receive as given by inspiration of God, and therefore as constituting for them a divine rule of faith and practice. To the books included in it the term canonical is applied. The Canon of the Old Testament, considered in reference to its constituent parts, was formed gradually; formed under divine superintendence by a process of growth extending through …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Epistle vii. To Peter, Domitian, and Elpidius.
To Peter, Domitian, and Elpidius. Gregory to Peter, Domitian, and Elpidius, Bishops [1688] . I rejoice exceedingly that you welcomed with great joy the ordination of the most holy Cyriacus, my brother and fellow-priest. And since we have learnt from the preaching of Paul the apostle that If one member rejoice, all the members rejoice with it (1 Cor. xii. 26), you must needs consider with how great exultation I rejoice with you in this thing, wherein not one member, but many members of Christ have …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

The Upbringing of Jewish Children
The tenderness of the bond which united Jewish parents to their children appears even in the multiplicity and pictorialness of the expressions by which the various stages of child-life are designated in the Hebrew. Besides such general words as "ben" and "bath"--"son" and "daughter"--we find no fewer than nine different terms, each depicting a fresh stage of life. The first of these simply designates the babe as the newly--"born"--the "jeled," or, in the feminine, "jaldah"--as in Exodus 2:3, 6, 8. …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to Christians to be Holy. By John Bunyan.
Holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever.'--[Psalm 93:5] London, by B. W., for Benj. Alsop, at the Angel and Bible, in the Poultrey. 1684. THE EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. This is the most searching treatise that has ever fallen under our notice. It is an invaluable guide to those sincere Christians, who, under a sense of the infinite importance of the salvation of an immortal soul, and of the deceitfulness of their hearts, sigh and cry, "O Lord of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Twelve Minor Prophets.
1. By the Jewish arrangement, which places together the twelve minor prophets in a single volume, the chronological order of the prophets as a whole is broken up. The three greater prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, stand in the true order of time. Daniel began to prophesy before Ezekiel, but continued, many years after him. The Jewish arrangement of the twelve minor prophets is in a sense chronological; that is, they put the earlier prophets at the beginning, and the later at the end of the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

That Upon the Conquest and Slaughter of vitellius Vespasian Hastened his Journey to Rome; but Titus his Son Returned to Jerusalem.
1. And now, when Vespasian had given answers to the embassages, and had disposed of the places of power justly, [25] and according to every one's deserts, he came to Antioch, and consulting which way he had best take, he preferred to go for Rome, rather than to march to Alexandria, because he saw that Alexandria was sure to him already, but that the affairs at Rome were put into disorder by Vitellius; so he sent Mucianus to Italy, and committed a considerable army both of horsemen and footmen to …
Flavius Josephus—The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem

Paul's Departure and Crown;
OR, AN EXPOSITION UPON 2 TIM. IV. 6-8 ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR How great and glorious is the Christian's ultimate destiny--a kingdom and a crown! Surely it hath not entered into the heart of man to conceive what ear never heard, nor mortal eye ever saw? the mansions of the blest--the realms of glory--'a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.' For whom can so precious an inheritance be intended? How are those treated in this world who are entitled to so glorious, so exalted, so eternal, …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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