11 As they were going along and talking , behold , there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven . 12 Elisha saw it and cried out, " My father , my father , the chariots of Israel and its horsemen !" And he saw Elijah no more . Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces .
13 He also took up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and returned and stood by the bank of the Jordan . 14 He took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and struck the waters and said , "Where is the Lord , the God of Elijah ?" And when he also had struck the waters , they were divided here and there ; and Elisha crossed over . 15 Now when the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho opposite e him saw him, they said , "The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha ." And they came to meet him and bowed themselves to the ground before him. 16 They said to him, "Behold now , there are with your servants fifty strong men , please let them go and search for your master ; perhaps the Spirit of the Lord has taken him up and cast him on some mountain or into some valley ." And he said , "You shall not send ." 17 But when they urged him until he was ashamed , he said , "Send ." They sent therefore fifty men ; and they searched three days but did not find him. 18 They returned to him while he was staying at Jericho ; and he said to them, "Did I not say to you, 'Do not go '?"
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Kings 2:11-18
Commentary on 2 Kings 2:9-12
(Read 2 Kings 2:9-12)
That fulness, from whence prophets and apostles had all their supply, still exists as of old, and we are told to ask large supplies from it. Diligent attendance upon Elijah, particularly in his last hours, would be proper means for Elisha to obtain much of his spirit. The comforts of departing saints, and their experiences, help both to gild our comforts and to strengthen our resolutions. Elijah is carried to heaven in a fiery chariot. Many questions might be asked about this, which could not be answered. Let it suffice that we are told, what his Lord, when he came, found him doing. He was engaged in serious discourse, encouraging and directing Elisha about the kingdom of God among men. We mistake, if we think preparation for heaven is carried on only by contemplation and acts of devotion. The chariot and horses appeared like fire, something very glorious, not for burning, but brightness. By the manner in which Elijah and Enoch were taken from this world, God gave a glimpse of the eternal life brought to light by the gospel, of the glory reserved for the bodies of the saints, and of the opening of the kingdom of heaven to all believers. It was also a figure of Christ's ascension. Though Elijah was gone triumphantly to heaven, yet this world could ill spare him. Surely their hearts are hard, who feel not, when God, by taking away faithful, useful men, calls for weeping and mourning. Elijah was to Israel, by his counsels, reproofs, and prayers, better than the strongest force of chariot and horse, and kept off the judgments of God. Christ bequeathed to his disciples his precious gospel, like Elijah's mantle; the token of the Divine power being exerted to overturn the empire of Satan, and to set up the kingdom of God in the world. The same gospel remains with us, though the miraculous powers are withdrawn, and it has Divine strength for the conversion and salvation of sinners.
Commentary on 2 Kings 2:13-18
(Read 2 Kings 2:13-18)
Elijah left his mantle to Elisha; as a token of the descent of the Spirit upon him; it was more than if he had left him thousands of gold and silver. Elisha took it up, not as a sacred relic to be worshipped, but as a significant garment to be worn. Now that Elijah was taken to heaven, Elisha inquired, 1. After God; when our creature-comforts are removed, we have a God to go to, who lives for ever. 2. After the God that Elijah served, and honoured, and pleaded for. The Lord God of the holy prophets is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever; but what will it avail us to have the mantles of those that are gone, their places, their books, if we have not their spirit, their God? See Elisha's dividing the river; God's people need not fear at last passing through the Jordan of death as on dry ground. The sons of the prophets made a needless search for Elijah. Wise men may yield to that, for the sake of peace, and the good opinion of others, which yet their judgment is against, as needless and fruitless. Traversing hills and valleys will never bring us to Elijah, but following the example of his holy faith and zeal will, in due time.