2 Reis 2

2 Reis 2

Chart from recommended resource Jensen's Survey of the OT - used by permission 1 Kings Chart from Charles Swindoll THE DOWNWARD SPIRAL Ryrie Study Bible - Borrow (NOTE: Many consider Amaziah and Hezekiah as "good" kings) SEE ALSO: ESV chart - kings of Israel - more information ESV chart - kings of Judah - more information Another Chart with Variable Dates for Reigns of Kings Source: ConformingtoJesus.com 2 Kings 2:1 And it came about when the LORD was about to take up Elijah by a whirlwind to heaven, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. KJV 2 Kings 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. BGT 2 Kings 2:1 καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ ἀνάγειν κύριον τὸν Ηλιου ἐν συσσεισμῷ ὡς εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ ἐπορεύθη Ηλιου καὶ Ελισαιε ἐκ Γαλγαλων LXE 2 Kings 2:1 And it came to pass, when the Lord was going to take Eliu with a whirlwind as it were into heaven, that Eliu and Elisaie went out of Galgala. NET 2 Kings 2:1 Just before the LORD took Elijah up to heaven in a windstorm, Elijah and Elisha were traveling from Gilgal. CSB 2 Kings 2:1 The time had come for the LORD to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elijah and Elisha were traveling from Gilgal, ESV 2 Kings 2:1 Now when the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. NIV 2 Kings 2:1 When the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. NLT 2 Kings 2:1 When the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were traveling from Gilgal. take up: Ge 5:24 1Ki 19:4 Lu 9:51 Ac 1:9 Heb 11:5 Rev 11:12 by a whirlwind: 1Ki 18:12 19:11 Job 38:1 Elisha: 1Ki 19:16-21 Gilgal: Jos 4:19 5:9 Israel and Judah in 2 Kings (Source: ESV maps) PREPARATION OF PASSING BATON At Mount Horeb, the Lord made it clear to Elijah that Elisha was the one chosen to carry forward and complete his mission against Baal and the house of Ahab (1 Kgs 19:15–18). Though Scripture does not tell us how long Elisha had served Elijah as his assistant and disciple, the time had now arrived for the handoff God ordained. One note regarding the study of the miracles of Elijah and Elisha is that miracles were never common or constant. Rather, they appear in specific, concentrated periods where God was affirming a new revelation or a major transition in His redemptive plan. Miracles have never been common. In fact, by definition they cannot be common because if they were they wouldn’t be miracles! There were only three great periods of miracle even in biblical times—the time of Moses, the period of the great OT prophets, and the time of Jesus and the Apostles. Outside these, miracles occur, but briefly and sparingly. Period Key Figures Purpose of Miracles Scriptural Focus Moses & Joshua Moses, Joshua Confirm covenant Law, deliverance from Egypt, establish Israel Exodus–Joshua Elijah & Elisha Elijah, Elisha Call Israel back to true faith; confirm God’s prophets in apostasy 1–2 Kings Jesus & Apostles Jesus Christ, Peter, Paul, et al Reveal the Messiah, confirm New Covenant gospel Gospels–Act And it came about (haya/hayah - came to pass) - This signals a divinely appointed moment (see note) When the LORD was about to take up Elijah by a whirlwind (sa'ar; Lxx - susseismos - commotion of air - 1Ki 19:11, Jer 23:19) to heaven - This gives us the time and contextual circumstance preparing us for this sovereign act of Yahweh. It makes clear that Elijah’s departure is God’s initiative, not Elijah’s choice and not death as usual. The passive wording highlights divine sovereignty—Elijah’s ministry ends exactly when and how God determines. Elijah's ministry would soon experience termination by translation! The whirlwind often accompanies God’s powerful presence (cf. Job 38:1; Nahum 1:3). Elijah’s removal will be a public, unmistakable act of divine power, affirming God’s approval of His prophet and validating what is about to happen with Elisha. Note that it is the whirlwind which impels Elijah to heaven, NOT the chariots of fire. 2Ki 2:11 affirms this by stating it was the chariots and horses of fire that separated Elijah and Elisha, but it was the whirlwind that actually took Elijah up to heaven. This is interesting as many commentaries and devotionals make the assumption the chariots of fire took Elisha to heaven. The chariots were part of the scene but were not the mode of transportation! TECHNICAL NOTE: The Hebrew verb haya/hayah (01961) is used over 1300x but often takes on special significance at the beginning of a sentence. It often signals that conditions have changed or that a new reality has come about. “And it came to pass / Now it happened that…” This use is especially common in historical narratives (Genesis–Kings). In 2Ki 2:1 haya/hayah introduces a divinely charged moment saying in effect “Here is the situation in which everything that follows must be understood.” "This is the moment God has ordained—pay attention.” Remember that it was not Elijah who choose Elisha but it was Yahweh as we saw in 1 Kings 19:16 where God told Elijah "Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint king over Israel; and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place." That Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal - Note that this is not the Gilgal located in the Jordan Valley. Why do I say that? Notice the next verse says "went down to Bethel." Gilgal in the Jordan Valley is about 825 feet below sea level, near Jericho. Bethel is about 2900 feet above sea level. It follows that they were at another Gilgal located in the mountainous area explaining why it says they "went down to Bethel." See map above for possible location of the more elevated city of Gilgal. In this possible location, note it is not far from Bethel. (See additional somewhat repetitive discussion below) Rod Mattoon notes that Elisha "was to depart from Gilgal to go to Bethel and several other places as we will see. The journey would cover about 30 miles. That is a lot of ground to cover in one day so he would be busy and probably left very early in the morning. The fact they would be moving downward would help immensely. There are several places in the Bible referred to as Gilgal. The most famous is the Gilgal near the Jericho where the nation of Israel set up camp after they crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land. That Gilgal is in a low region of Israel. It is about 850 feet above sea level. This is not the Gilgal being referred to here. Verse two states they went down to Bethel, not up. This Gilgal in this chapter was located in a high region near Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim (Deuteronomy 11:29-30). It was about eight miles north of the town of Bethel and is approximately 2800 feet above sea level. A school for training prophets of God was located at this Gilgal. (Treasures from Kings)