Read 2 Kings 2.1-12. In 2.1-12: The translation of Elijah. The stories in this chapter fall outside of the standard wording that marks the beginning and ending of the reigns of the kings called regnal formulas (1.17-18; 3.1), which may indicate that they, along with other stories about the prophets, are later additions to the deuteronomistic History. In verse 1: The only other person in the Bible who was taken up to heaven without dying was Enoch (Gen 5.24). In verse 3: The company of prophets, literally "the sons of the prophets," were followers of prophets, perhaps even a guild or school of prophets. They were also aware, perhaps through prophetic agency, that the Lord will take Elijah away. In verse 8: Elijah's mantle is a symbol of his power as a prophet (see 1.8; Zech 13.4), which Elisha will inherit (2.13). His division of the Jordan here is reminiscent of Moses' division of the Red Sea (Ex 14.21-22) and of Joshua's division of the Jordan (Josh 3.13-17). In verse 9: Double share does not mean twice as much as Elijah but the portion of the first born son (Deut 21.17), or two-thirds. In verse 12; Elisha calls Elijah his father out of respect for his teacher, not because there is a blood relationship between them. The chariots of Israel and its horsemen may allude to the image of the Lord as commander of the heavenly armies ("Yahweh sebaoth," "the Lord of host"; see 6.17). Comments or Questions..
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