2 Kings 2:9, commentary and pictures

Before he was taken away, Elijah invited Elisha to make a final request, and Elisha asked for a double portion of his spirit. By a double portion he meant a large measure of the Spirit God had given Elijah, not worldly honor, rank, or status. Elijah called this a hard thing and made it conditional on Elisha seeing him taken, and Elisha saw it, received the fallen mantle, knew the request was granted, parted the Jordan with it, and was recognized as bearing Elijah's spirit. The request marked Elisha's transition into Elijah's place as leading prophet, expressing his readiness for greater responsibility and his desire to continue the work entrusted to Elijah. It teaches that those who take up responsibilities in God's service, especially young and inexperienced workers, need a double portion of the Lord's Spirit and should seek God's wisdom and help rather than rely on themselves, and such a measure of the Holy Spirit may be safely desired.

Request and Its Setting

As Elijah was about to be taken away he invited Elisha to ask a final request, and Elisha asked that a double portion of Elijah's spirit be upon him. By a double portion he meant a large measure of the Spirit that God had given Elijah, which alone could prepare him for the work ahead, and he sought no worldly honor, rank, or status. Elijah called this a hard thing and made its fulfillment depend on Elisha seeing him when taken. Elisha saw the taking, the spirit of Elijah rested on him, and when he received the fallen mantle he knew the request had been granted. He then took up the mantle, performed the same sign at the Jordan, and was recognized as having Elijah's spirit.

The request belongs to Elijah's final journey before his ascent to heaven in a chariot of fire. At that time he visited the schools of the prophets in Israel and gave the students divine instruction, repeating on those last visits what he had taught before. He taught that simplicity should mark every part of their education, and that this simplicity would prepare them to receive heaven's influence and to work in the Lord's ways and service. God was by these movings from place to place preparing Elijah for translation, so that he would not settle into ease but would gain spiritual power. The changes kept him from settling into familiar methods and customs and becoming spiritually stagnant or complacent, helping him grow in moral greatness and spiritual soundness, that his influence might help many gain a wider, fuller, and more helpful experience.

The request came at the end of Elisha's long and faithful service, after he had left his home and accepted humble duties and had determined to remain with Elijah to the end. Even when repeatedly invited to turn back he refused to leave, and his steadfast remaining through trials and reliance on God prepared him for greater responsibility. It was set in a dark and troubled time when wickedness and idolatry prevailed. In that time Elijah worked as a preacher of righteousness, guided by the Holy Spirit and working under God's direction.

Succession in Prophetic Ministry

The request marks Elisha's transition into Elijah's place as the leading prophet, and Elisha was prepared to succeed him. His asking for a double portion expressed readiness for that greater responsibility and desire to continue the work entrusted to Elijah and to carry it on after him. The granting of the request is shown by what follows, for Elisha takes up Elijah's fallen mantle, performs the same sign at the Jordan, and is recognized as having Elijah's spirit resting upon him in faithfulness to that greater responsibility. The request came after Elisha remained faithfully with Elijah to the end and refused to leave despite repeated invitations to turn back, and receiving it was a hard thing made conditional on seeing Elijah taken.

What Elisha sought was needed to fill Elijah's place, because Elijah's experience and the wisdom gained with age could not simply be passed on to a younger successor. The double portion he received united Elijah's spiritual power with the gentleness, mercy, and tender compassion of Christ's Spirit. Applied to present needs, his example calls for lamb-like kindness to exceed Elijah's severity.

Elijah figures Luther and Elisha figures Melancthon, in that as Elisha received Elijah's mantle and a double portion of his spirit, so Melancthon's work continued and complemented Luther's reforming labor.

Lessons for God's Workers

Elisha asked for a large measure of the Spirit God had given Elijah, not for worldly honor, rank, or status, because he sought spiritual power for service to fill the place in Israel to which God had called him. He knew that only the Spirit resting on Elijah could equip him for that place and prepare him for the work ahead and for carrying on the work entrusted to Elijah. The experience of Elijah and the wisdom gained with age could not simply be passed on to a younger successor, so the request teaches that workers taking up responsibilities in God's service need the Lord's Spirit to equip them. Young and inexperienced workers in particular need a double portion of the Lord's Spirit and should seek God's wisdom and help rather than rely on themselves.

Following Elisha's request, a double portion of the Holy Spirit is something one may safely desire. Elijah's educating of Elisha and giving him opportunity to learn from him shows that experienced workers and ministers should train younger workers by showing them how to teach the truth. Ministers are to give young workers the same opportunity Elijah gave Elisha to learn from him and continue his work. Experienced workers should in this way prepare younger men and women to carry forward the work and its responsibilities.

By the image of a double portion, the physician works under intense strain and is often deprived of rest. He is often deprived of Sabbath religious privileges as well. He therefore needs an abundant measure of grace and a fresh supply each day to keep hold of God and avoid deeper spiritual darkness.