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 2:13-18
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.