Teks -- 2 Kings 2:1-2 (NET)

Elijah Makes a Swift Departure

2:1 Just before the Lord took Elijah up to heaven in a windstorm, Elijah and Elisha were traveling from Gilgal. 2:2 Elijah told Elisha, “Stay here, for the Lord has sent me to Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As certainly as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Wesley: 2Ki 2:1 - About to take, &c.

_It is supposed, (tho' not expressly revealed) that Elijah flourished about twenty years, before he was translated, body and soul, to heaven, only undergoing such a change, as was necessary to qualify him for being an inhabitant in that world of Spirits. By translating him, God gave in that dark and degenerate age, a very sensible proof of another life, together with a type of the ascension of Christ, and the opening of the kingdom of heaven to all believers.

Wesley: 2Ki 2:2 - Tarry here

This he desires, either, That being left alone, he might better prepare himself for his great change. Or, Out of indulgence to Elisha, that he might not be overwhelmed with grief at so sad a sight. That he might try his love, and whet his desire to accompany him; it being highly convenient for God's honour, that there should be witnesses of so glorious a translation.

Wesley: 2Ki 2:2 - To Beth

el - Which was truth, tho' not the whole truth: for he was to go a far longer journey.

Wesley: 2Ki 2:2 - But he was first to go to Beth

el, as also to Jericho, to the schools of the prophets there, that he might comfort, and strengthen their hearts in God's work, and give them his dying counsels.

JFB: 2Ki 2:1-7 - when the Lord would take up Elijah

A revelation of this event had been made to the prophet; but, unknown to him, it had also been revealed to his disciples, and to Elisha in particular, who kept constantly beside him.

JFB: 2Ki 2:1-7 - Gilgal

This Gilgal (Jiljil) was near Ebal and Gerizim; a school of the prophets was established there. At Beth-el there was also a school of the prophets, which Elijah had founded, notwithstanding that place was the headquarters of the calf-worship; and at Jericho there was another [2Ki 2:4]. In travelling to these places, which he had done through the impulse of the Spirit (2Ki 2:2, 2Ki 2:4-6), Elijah wished to pay a farewell visit to these several institutions, which lay on his way to the place of ascension and, at the same time, from a feeling of humility and modesty, to be in solitude, where there would be no eye-witnesses of his glorification. All his efforts, however, to prevail on his attendant to remain behind, were fruitless. Elisha knew that the time was at hand, and at every place the sons of the prophets spoke to him of the approaching removal of his master. Their last stage was at the Jordan. They were followed at a distance by fifty scholars of the prophets, from Jericho, who were desirous, in honor of the great occasion, to witness the miraculous translation of the prophet. The revelation of this striking event to so many was a necessary part of the dispensation; for it was designed to be under the law, like that of Enoch in the patriarchal age, a visible proof of another state, and a type of the resurrection of Christ.

Clarke: 2Ki 2:1 - When the Lord would take up Elijah

When the Lord would take up Elijah - It appears that God had revealed this intended translation, not only to Elijah himself, but also to Elisha, and to the schools of the prophets, both at Beth-el and Jericho, so that they were all expecting this solemn event.

Clarke: 2Ki 2:2 - Tarry here, I pray thee

Tarry here, I pray thee - He either made these requests through humility, not wishing any person to be witness of the honor conferred on him by God, or with the desire to prove the fidelity of Elisha, whether he would continue to follow and serve him.

TSK: 2Ki 2:1 - take up // by a whirlwind // Elisha // Gilgal

take up : Gen 5:24; 1Ki 19:4; Luk 9:51; Act 1:9; Heb 11:5; Rev 11:12

by a whirlwind : 1Ki 18:12, 1Ki 19:11; Job 38:1

Elisha : 1Ki 19:16-21

Gilgal : Jos 4:19, Jos 5:9

TSK: 2Ki 2:2 - Tarry here // As the Lord // I will not // Bethel

Tarry here : Rth 1:15, Rth 1:16; 2Sa 15:19, 2Sa 15:20; Joh 6:67, Joh 6:68

As the Lord : 2Ki 2:4, 2Ki 2:6, 2Ki 4:30; 1Sa 1:26, 1Sa 17:55, 1Sa 25:26; Jer 4:2

I will not : Rth 1:16-18; 2Sa 15:21; 1Jo 2:19

Bethel : Gen 28:19; 1Ki 12:29, 1Ki 12:33, 1Ki 13:1, 1Ki 13:2

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: 2Ki 2:2 - Elijah said unto Elisha // The Lord hath sent me to Beth-el

Elijah said unto Elisha: this he desires, either,

1. That he, being left alone, might better prepare himself for his great change. Or,

2. Out of his humility and modesty; he desired no witnesses of his glorious removal, and no fame and glory from it. Or,

3. Out of indulgence to Elisha, that he might not be overwhelmed with grief at so sad a sight. Or,

4. That he might try his love, and whet his desire to accompany him; it being highly convenient for God’ s honour, and the church’ s good, (which Elijah sought above all things,) that there should be witnesses of so glorious a translation.

The Lord hath sent me to Beth-el which was truth, but not the whole truth; for he was to go a far longer journey. But he was first to go to Beth-el, as also to Jericho, to the schools of the prophets there, that he might comfort and strengthen their hearts in God’ s work, and give them his last and dying counsels.

Haydock: 2Ki 2:1 - Send

Send. He acquiesces, lest they might think that he was afraid of losing his superiority. (Menochius)

Haydock: 2Ki 2:1 - Heaven

Heaven. By heaven here is meant, the air, the lowest of the heavenly regions, (Challoner) through which he was carried by the ministry of angels, who directed the storm, (Haydock ) to the place designed for him. ---

It is generally supposed to be Paradise, (Calmet) whither Henoch had been translated. (Haydock) ---

They are still living, (Calmet) and must come again, to invite all to repent. After which they will die martyrs, in the persecution of Antichrist. (Haydock) ---

See St. Augustine, de Gen. ad lit. ix. 6., and Apocalypse xi. (Worthington) ---

Ecclesiasticus xlviii. 10. (Menochius) ---

They are a proof of a future resurrection. (Calmet) ---

To decide where the paradise which they inhabit, (Haydock) is situated. would be rash. (St. Chrysostom, hom. 21. in Gen. &c.) Some suppose it is still in some unknown region of the earth: others place it above the sky, (Menochius) or in the bosom of Abraham. (Calmet) ---

The Jews (following Munster) assert that Elias penetrated the sphere of fire, where his body was consumed. (Vatable) ---

The earthly paradise is very probably no longer existing, in its ancient luxuriant state. (Haydock) ---

It may now be covered with the waters of the Persian Gulf. (Worthington)

Gill: 2Ki 2:1 - And it came to pass, when the Lord would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind // that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal

And it came to pass, when the Lord would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind,.... Thereby lifting him up from the earth, and which, as it was the purpose and will of God, Elijah had notice of, as appears by his motions to different places, under a divine direction:

that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal, where it seems they met, a place where the Israelites first pitched when they came over Jordan, and where the tabernacle was for some time, and was famous for religious services, see Jos 4:19.

Gill: 2Ki 2:2 - 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

And Elijah said unto Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee,.... Seemingly unwilling he should go with him, and be present at his assumption; which was either out of modesty, not affecting the spread of the honour and glory to be conferred upon him; or to prevent the grief of Elisha at his departure, or to try whether Elisha knew any thing of it, and what affection he had for him:

for the Lord hath sent me to Bethel; to give some comfort and some instruction and advice to the college of prophets there:

and Elisha said unto him, as the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee; being determined to see the last of him, and to have the benefit of his company and conversation, his heavenly discourse, and instruction from him as long as he could, and in hope of receiving a blessing from him at parting:

so they went down to Bethel; together, which, according to Bunting ^h, was six miles.