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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1708)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>S E C O N D K I N G S</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. II.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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In this chapter we have,
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I. That extraordinary event, the translation of Elijah. In the close of
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the foregoing chapter we had a wicked king leaving the world in
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disgrace, here we have a holy prophet leaving it in honour; the
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departure of the former was his greatest misery, of the latter his
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greatest bliss: men are as their end is. Here is,
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1. Elijah taking leave of his friends, the sons of the prophets, and
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especially Elisha, who kept close to him, and walked with him through
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Jordan,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+2:1-10">ver. 1-10</A>.
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2. Elijah taken into heaven by the ministry of angels
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+2:11">ver. 11</A>),
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and Elisha's lamentation of the loss this earth has of him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+2:12">ver. 12</A>.
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II. The manifestation of Elisha, as a prophet in his room.
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1. By the dividing of Jordan,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+2:13,14">ver. 13, 14</A>.
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2. By the respect which the sons of the prophets paid him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+2:15-18">ver. 15-18</A>.
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3. By the healing of the unwholesome waters of Jericho,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+2:19-22">ver. 19-22</A>.
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4. By the destruction of the children of Bethel that mocked him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+2:23-25">ver. 23-25</A>.
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This revolution in prophecy makes a greater figure than the revolution
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of a kingdom.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="2Ki2_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki2_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki2_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki2_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki2_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki2_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki2_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Elijah's Translation.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 895.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And it came to pass, when the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> would take up Elijah into
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heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.
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2 And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the
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L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> hath sent me to Beth-el. And Elisha said <I>unto him, As</I> the
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L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> liveth, and <I>as</I> thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So
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they went down to Beth-el.
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3 And the sons of the prophets that <I>were</I> at Beth-el came forth
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to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> will
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take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I
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know <I>it;</I> hold ye your peace.
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4 And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee;
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for the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, <I>As</I> the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>
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liveth, and <I>as</I> thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they
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came to Jericho.
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5 And the sons of the prophets that <I>were</I> at Jericho came to
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Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> will take
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away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I
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know <I>it;</I> hold ye your peace.
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6 And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the
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L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, <I>As</I> the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> liveth,
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and <I>as</I> thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two
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went on.
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7 And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to
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view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan.
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8 And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped <I>it</I> together, and
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smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so
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that they two went over on dry ground.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Elijah's times, and the events concerning him, are as little dated as
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those of any great man in scripture; we are not told of his age, nor in
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what year of Ahab's reign he first appeared, nor in what year of
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Joram's he disappeared, and therefore cannot conjecture how long he
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flourished; it is supposed about twenty years in all. Here we are
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told,</P>
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<P>
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I. That God had determined to take him up into heaven by a whirlwind,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+2:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
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He would do it, and it is probable let him know of his purpose some
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time before, that he would shortly take him from the world, not by
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death, but translate him body and soul to heaven, as Enoch was, only
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causing him to undergo such a change as would be necessary to the
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qualifying of him to be an inhabitant in that world of spirits, and
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such as those shall undergo who will be found alive at Christ's coming.
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It is not for us to say why God would put such a peculiar honour upon
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Elijah above any other of the prophets; he was a man <I>subject to like
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passions as we are,</I> knew sin, and yet never tasted death. Wherefore
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is he thus dignified, thus distinguished, as a man whom the Kings of
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kings did delight to honour? We may suppose that herein,
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1. God looked back upon his past services, which were eminent and
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extraordinary, and intended a recompence for those and an encouragement
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to the sons of the prophets to tread in the steps of his zeal and
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faithfulness, and, whatever it cost them, to witness against the
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corruptions of the age they lived in.
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2. He looked down upon the present dark and degenerate state of the
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church, and would thus give a very sensible proof of another life after
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this, and draw the hearts of the faithful few upward towards himself,
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and that other life.
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3. He looked forward to the evangelical dispensation, and, in the
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translation of Elijah, gave a type and figure of the ascension of
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Christ and the <I>opening of the kingdom of heaven to all
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believers.</I> Elijah had, by faith and prayer, conversed much with
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heaven, and now he is taken thither, to assure us that if we have our
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conversation in heaven, while we are here on earth, we shall be there
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shortly, the soul shall (and that is the man) be happy there, there for
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ever.</P>
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<P>
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II. That Elisha had determined, as long as he continued on earth to
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cleave to him, and not to leave him. Elijah seemed desirous to shake
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him off, would have had him stay behind at Gilgal, at Bethel, at
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Jericho,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+2:2,4,6"><I>v.</I> 2, 4, 6</A>.
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Some think out of humility; he knew what glory God designed for him,
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but would not seem to glory in it, nor desired it should be seen of men
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(God's favourites covet not to have it proclaimed before them that they
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are so, as the favourites of earthly princes do), or rather it was to
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try him, and make his constant adherence to him the more commendable,
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like Naomi's persuading Ruth to go back. In vain does Elijah entreat
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him to tarry here and tarry there; he resolves to tarry nowhere behind
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his master, till he goes to heaven, and leaves him behind on this
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earth. "Whatever comes of it, <I>I will not leave thee;</I>" and why
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so? Not only because he loved him, but,
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1. Because he desired to be edified by his holy heavenly converse as
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long as he staid on earth; it had always been profitable, but, we may
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suppose, was now more so than ever. We should do all the spiritual good
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we can one to another, and get all we can one by another, while we are
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together, because we are to be <I>together but a little while.</I>
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2. Because he desired to be satisfied concerning his departure, and to
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see him when he was taken up, that his faith might be confirmed and his
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acquaintance with the invisible world increased. He had long followed
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Elijah, and he would not leave him now when he hoped for the parting
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blessing. Let not those that follow Christ come short by tiring at
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last.</P>
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<P>
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III. That Elijah, before his departure, visited the schools of the
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prophets and took leave of them. It seems that there were such schools
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in many of the cities of Israel, probably even in Samaria itself. Here
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we find <I>sons of the prophets,</I> and considerable numbers of them,
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even at Bethel, where one of the calves was set up, and at Jericho,
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which was lately built in defiance of a divine curse. At Jerusalem, and
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in the kingdom of Judah, they had priests and Levites, and the
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temple-service, the want of which, in the kingdom of Israel, God
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graciously made up by those colleges, where men were trained up and
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employed in the exercises of religion and devotion, and whither good
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people resorted to solemnize the appointed feasts with praying and
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hearing, when they had not conveniences for sacrifice or incense, and
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thus religion was kept up in a time of general apostasy. Much of God
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was among these prophets, and <I>more were the children of the
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desolate</I> than the <I>children of the married wife.</I> None of all
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the high priests were comparable to those two great men Elijah and
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Elisha, who, for aught we know, never attended in the temple at
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Jerusalem. These seminaries of religion and virtue, which Elijah, it is
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probable, had been instrumental to found, he now visits, before his
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departure, to instruct, encourage, and bless them. Note, Those that are
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going to heaven themselves ought to be concerned for those they leave
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behind them on earth, and to leave with them their experiences,
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testimonies, counsels, and prayers,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+1:15">2 Pet. i. 15</A>.
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When Christ said, with triumph, <I>Now I am no more in the world,</I>
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he added, with tenderness, <I>But these are. Father, keep them.</I></P>
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<P>
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IV. That the sons of the prophets had intelligence (either from Elijah
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himself, or by the spirit of prophecy in some of their own society), or
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suspected by the solemnity of Elijah's farewell, that he was now
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shortly to be removed; and,
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1. They told Elisha of it, both at Bethel
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+2:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>)
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and at Jericho
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+2:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>):
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<I>Knowest thou that the Lord will take away thy master from thy head
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to day?</I> This they said, not as upbraiding him with his loss, or
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expecting that when his master was gone he would be upon the level with
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them, but to show how full they were of the thoughts of this matter and
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big with expectation of the event, and to admonish Elisha to prepare
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for the loss. Know we not that our nearest relations, and dearest
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friends, must shortly be taken from us? <I>The Lord will</I> take them;
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we lose them not till he calls for them whose they are, and who
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<I>taketh away and none can hinder him.</I> He takes away superiors
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from our head, inferiors from our feet, equals from our arms; let us
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therefore carefully do the duty of every relation, that we may reflect
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upon it with comfort when it comes to be dissolved. Elisha knew it too
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well, and <I>sorrow had filled his heart</I> upon this account (as the
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disciples in a like case,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:6">John xvi. 6</A>),
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and therefore he did not need to be told of it, did not care for
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hearing of it, and would not be interrupted in his contemplations on
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this great concern, or in the least diverted from his attendance upon
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his master. <I>I know it; hold you your peace.</I> He speaks not this
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peevishly, or in contempt of the sons of the prophets, but as one that
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was himself and would have them composed and sedate, and with an awful
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silence expecting the event: <I>I know it; be silent,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+2:13">Zech. ii. 13</A>.
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2. They went themselves to be witnesses of it at a distance, though
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they might not closely attend
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+2:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>):
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<I>Fifty of them stood to view afar off,</I> intending to satisfy their
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curiosity, but God so ordered it that they might be eye-witnesses of
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the honour heaven did to that prophet, who was <I>despised and rejected
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of men.</I> God's works are well worthy our notice; when a <I>door is
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opened in heaven</I> the call is, <I>Come up hither, come and
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see.</I></P>
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<P>
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V. That the miraculous dividing of the river Jordan was the preface to
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Elijah's translation into the heavenly Canaan, as it had been to the
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entrance of Israel into the earthly Canaan,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+2:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
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He must go on to the other side Jordan to be translated, because it was
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his native country, and that he might be near the place where Moses
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died, and that thus honour might be put on that part of the country
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which was most despised. he and Elisha might have gone over Jordan by a
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ferry, as other passengers did, but God would magnify Elijah in his
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exit, as he did Joshua in his entrance, by the dividing of this river,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+3:7">Josh. iii. 7</A>.
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As Moses with his rod divided the sea, so Elijah with his mantle
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divided Jordan, both being the <I>insignia--the badges</I> of their
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office. These waters of old yielded to the ark, now to the prophet's
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mantle, which, to those that wanted the ark was an equivalent token of
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God's presence. When God will take up his faithful ones to heaven death
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is the Jordan which, immediately before their translation, they must
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pass through, and they find a way through it, as safe and comfortable
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way; the death of Christ has divided those waters, that the ransomed of
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the Lord may pass over. <I>O death! where is thy sting,</I> thy hurt,
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thy terror?</P>
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<A NAME="2Ki2_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki2_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki2_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki2_12"> </A>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>9 And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah
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said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken
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away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double
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portion of thy spirit be upon me.
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10 And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: <I>nevertheless,</I>
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if thou see me <I>when I am</I> taken from thee, it shall be so unto
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thee; but if not, it shall not be <I>so.</I>
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11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked,
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that, behold, <I>there appeared</I> a chariot of fire, and horses of
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fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a
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whirlwind into heaven.
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12 And Elisha saw <I>it,</I> and he cried, My father, my father, the
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chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no
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more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two
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pieces.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here,
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I. Elijah makes his will, and leaves Elisha his heir, now anointing him
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to be prophet in his room, more than when he <I>cast his mantle upon
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him,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+19:19">1 Kings xix. 19</A>.</P>
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<P>
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1. Elijah, being greatly pleased with the constancy of Elisha's
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affection and attendance, bade him ask what he should do for him, what
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blessing he should leave him at parting; he does not say (as bishop
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Hall observes), "<I>Ask of me when I am gone,</I> in heaven I shall be
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better able to befriend thee," but, "Ask before I go." Our friends on
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earth may be spoken to, and can give us an answer, but we know not that
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we can have access to any friend in heaven but Christ, and God in him.
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<I>Abraham is ignorant of us.</I></P>
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<P>
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2. Elisha, having this fair opportunity to enrich himself with the best
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riches, prays for a <I>double portion of his spirit.</I> He asks not
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for wealth, nor honour, nor exemption from trouble, but to be qualified
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for the service of God and his generation, he asks,
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(1.) For the Spirit, not that the gifts and graces of the Spirit were
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in Elijah's power to give, therefore he says not, "Give me the Spirit"
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(he knew very well it was God's gift), but "<I>Let it be upon me,</I>
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intercede with God for this for me." Christ bade his disciples ask what
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they would, not one, but all, and promised to send the Spirit, with
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much more authority and assurance than Elijah could.
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(2.) For <I>his</I> spirit, because he was to be a prophet in his room,
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to carry on his work, to father the sons of the prophets and face their
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enemies, because he had the same perverse generation to deal with that
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he had, so that, if he have not his spirit, he has not <I>strength
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according to the day.</I>
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(3.) For a <I>double portion of his spirit;</I> he does not mean double
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|
to what Elijah had, but double to what the rest of the prophets had,
|
|
from whom so much would not be expected as from Elisha, who had been
|
|
brought up under Elijah. It is a holy ambition to <I>covet earnestly
|
|
the best gifts,</I> and those which will render us most serviceable to
|
|
God and our brethren. Note, We all ought, both ministers and people, to
|
|
set before us the example of our predecessors, to labour after their
|
|
spirit, and to be earnest with God for that grace which carried them
|
|
through their work and enabled them to finish well.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. Elijah promised him that which he asked, but under two provisos,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+2:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
(1.) Provided he put a due value upon it and esteem it highly: this he
|
|
teaches him to do by calling it <I>a hard thing,</I> not too hard for
|
|
God to do, but too great for him to expect. Those are best prepared for
|
|
spiritual blessings that are most sensible of their worth and their own
|
|
unworthiness to receive them.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Provided he kept close to his master, even to the last, and was
|
|
observant of him: <I>If thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall
|
|
be</I> so, otherwise not. A diligent attendance upon his master's
|
|
instructions, and a careful observance of his example, particularly now
|
|
in his last scene, were the condition and would be a proper means of
|
|
obtaining much of his spirit. Taking strict notice of the manner of
|
|
his ascension would likewise be of great use to him. The comforts of
|
|
departing saints, and their experiences, will mightily help both to
|
|
gild our comforts and to steel our resolutions. Or, perhaps, this was
|
|
intended only as a sign: "If God favour thee so far as to give thee a
|
|
sight of me when I ascend, take that for a token that he will do this
|
|
for thee, and depend upon it." Christ's disciples saw him ascend, and
|
|
were thereupon assured that they should, in a little time, be filled
|
|
with his Spirit,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+1:8">Acts i. 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
Elisha, we may suppose, hereupon prayed earnestly, <I>Lord, show me
|
|
this token for good.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. Elijah is carried up to heaven in a fiery chariot,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+2:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
Like Enoch, he was translated, <I>that he should not see death;</I> and
|
|
was (as Mr. Cowley expresses it) <I>the second man that leaped the
|
|
ditch where all the rest of mankind fell, and went not downward to the
|
|
sky.</I> Many curious questions might be asked about this matter, which
|
|
could not be answered. Let it suffice that we are here told,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. What his Lord, when he came, found him doing. He was talking with
|
|
Elisha, instructing and encouraging him, directing him in his work, and
|
|
quickening him to it, for the good of those whom he left behind. He was
|
|
not meditating nor praying, as one wholly taken up with the world he
|
|
was going to, but engaged in edifying discourse, as one concerned about
|
|
the kingdom of God among men. We mistake if we think our preparation
|
|
for heaven is carried on only by contemplation and the acts of
|
|
devotion. Usefulness to others will pass as well in our account as any
|
|
thing. Thinking of divine things is good, but talking of them (if it
|
|
come from the heart) is better, because for edification,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+14:4">1 Cor. xiv. 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
Christ ascended as he was blessing his disciples.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. What convoy his Lord sent for him--<I>a chariot of fire and horses of
|
|
fire,</I> which appeared either descending upon them from the clouds or
|
|
(as bishop Patrick thinks) running towards them upon the ground: in
|
|
this form the angels appeared. The souls of all the faithful are
|
|
carried by an invisible guard of angels into the bosom of Abraham; but,
|
|
Elijah being to carry his body with him, this heavenly guard was
|
|
visible, not in a human shape, as usual, though they might so have
|
|
borne him up in their arms, or carried him as on eagles' wings, but
|
|
that would have been to carry him like a child, like a lamp
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+40:11,31">Isa. xl. 11, 31</A>);
|
|
|
|
they appear in the form of a chariot and horses, that he may ride in
|
|
state, may ride in triumph, like a prince, like a conqueror, yea,
|
|
<I>more than a conqueror.</I> The angels are called in scripture
|
|
<I>cherubim</I> and <I>seraphim,</I> and their appearance here, though
|
|
it may seem below their dignity, answers to both those names; for
|
|
|
|
(1.) <I>Seraphim</I> signifies <I>fiery,</I> and God is said to make
|
|
them <I>a flame of fire,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+104:4">Ps. civ. 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
(2.) <I>Cherubim</I> (as many think) signifies <I>chariots,</I> and
|
|
they are called <I>the chariots of God</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:17">Ps. lxviii. 17</A>),
|
|
|
|
and he is said to <I>ride upon a cherub</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+18:10">Ps. xviii. 10</A>),
|
|
|
|
to which perhaps there is an allusion in Ezekiel's vision of four
|
|
living creatures, and wheels, like horses and chariots; in Zechariah's
|
|
vision, they are so represented,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+1:8,6:1,Re+6:2">Zech. i. 8; vi. 1.
|
|
Compare Rev. vi. 2</A>,
|
|
|
|
&c. See the readiness of the angels to do the
|
|
will go God, even in the meanest services, for the good of those that
|
|
shall be heirs of salvation. Elijah must remove to the world of angels,
|
|
and therefore, to show how desirous they were of his company, some of
|
|
them would come to fetch him. The chariot and horses appeared like
|
|
fire, not for burning, but brightness, not to torture or consume him,
|
|
but to render his ascension conspicuous and illustrious in the eyes of
|
|
those that stood afar off to view it. Elijah had burned with holy zeal
|
|
for God and his honour, and now with a heavenly fire he was refined and
|
|
translated.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. How he was separated from Elisha. This chariot parted them both
|
|
asunder. Note, The dearest friends must part. Elisha had protested he
|
|
would not leave him, yet now is left behind by him.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. Whither he was carried. He <I>went up by a whirlwind into
|
|
heaven.</I> The fire tends upward; the whirlwind helped to carry him
|
|
through the atmosphere, out of the reach of the magnetic virtue of this
|
|
earth, and then how swiftly he ascended through the pure ether to the
|
|
world of holy and blessed spirits we cannot conceive.</P>
|
|
|
|
<CENTER>
|
|
<TABLE BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD>"But where he stopped will ne'er be known,
|
|
<BR>'Till Phenix-nature, aged grown,
|
|
<BR>To a better being shall aspire,
|
|
<BR>Mounting herself, like him, to eternity in fire." </TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD ALIGN=RIGHT>C<FONT SIZE=-1>OWLEY</FONT>.</TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
</CENTER>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Elijah had once, in a passion, wished he might die; yet God was so
|
|
gracious to him as not only not to take him at his word then, but to
|
|
honour him with this singular privilege, that he should never see
|
|
death; and by this instance, and that of Enoch,
|
|
|
|
(1.) God showed how men should have left the world if they had not
|
|
sinned, not by death, but by a translation.
|
|
|
|
(2.) He gave a glimpse of that life and immortality which are brought
|
|
to light by the gospel, of the glory reserved for the bodies of the
|
|
saints, and the <I>opening of the kingdom of heaven to all
|
|
believers,</I> as then to Elijah. It was also a figure of Christ's
|
|
ascension.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. Elisha pathetically laments the loss of that great prophet, but
|
|
attends him with an encomium,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+2:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
1. He saw it; thus he received the sign by which he was assured of the
|
|
grant of his request for a double portion of Elijah's spirit. He looked
|
|
stedfastly towards heaven, whence he was to expect that gift, as the
|
|
disciples did,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+1:10">Acts i. 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
He saw it awhile, but the vision was presently out of his sight; and
|
|
<I>he saw him no more.</I>
|
|
|
|
2. He rent his own clothes, in token of the sense he had of his own and
|
|
the public loss. Though Elijah had gone triumphantly to heaven, yet
|
|
this world could ill spare him, and therefore his removal ought to be
|
|
much regretted by the survivors. Surely their hearts are hard whose
|
|
eyes are dry when God, by taking away faithful useful men, calls for
|
|
weeping and mourning. Though Elijah's departure made way for Elisha's
|
|
eminency, especially since he was now sure of a double portion of his
|
|
spirit, yet he lamented the loss of him, for he loved him, and could
|
|
have served him for ever.
|
|
|
|
3. He gave him a very honourable character, as the reason why he thus
|
|
lamented the loss of him.
|
|
|
|
(1.) He himself had lost the guide of his youth: <I>My father, my
|
|
father.</I> He saw his own condition like that of a fatherless child
|
|
thrown upon the world, and lamented it accordingly. Christ, when he
|
|
left his disciples, did not leave them orphans
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+14:15">John xiv. 15</A>),
|
|
|
|
but Elijah must.
|
|
|
|
(2.) The public had lost its best guard; he was <I>the chariot of
|
|
Israel, and the horsemen thereof.</I> He would have brought them all to
|
|
heaven, as in this chariot, if it had not been their own fault; they
|
|
used not chariots and horses in their wars, but Elijah was to them, by
|
|
his counsels, reproofs, and prayers, better than the strongest force of
|
|
chariot and horse, and kept off the judgments of God. His departure was
|
|
like the routing of an army, an irreparable loss. "Better have lost all
|
|
our men of war than this man of God."</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki2_13"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki2_14"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki2_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki2_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki2_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki2_18"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Elijah's Mantle on Elisha.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 895.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>13 He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and
|
|
went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan;
|
|
14 And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and
|
|
smote the waters, and said, Where <I>is</I> the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> God of Elijah?
|
|
and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and
|
|
thither: and Elisha went over.
|
|
15 And when the sons of the prophets which <I>were</I> to view at
|
|
Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on
|
|
Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the
|
|
ground before him.
|
|
16 And they said unto him, Behold now, there be with thy
|
|
servants fifty strong men; let them go, we pray thee, and seek
|
|
thy master: lest peradventure the Spirit of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> hath taken
|
|
him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And
|
|
he said, Ye shall not send.
|
|
17 And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send.
|
|
They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but
|
|
found him not.
|
|
18 And when they came again to him, (for he tarried at
|
|
Jericho,) he said unto them, Did I not say unto you, Go not?
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We have here an account of what followed immediately after the
|
|
translation of Elijah.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. The tokens of God's presence with Elisha, and the marks of his
|
|
elevation into Elijah's room, to be, as he had been, a father to the
|
|
sons of the prophets, and the chariots and horsemen of Israel.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. He was possessed of Elijah's mantle, the badge of his office, which,
|
|
we may suppose, he put on and wore for his master's sake,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+2:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
When Elijah went to heaven, though he did not let fall his body as
|
|
others do, he let fall his mantle instead of it; for he was unclothed,
|
|
that he might be clothed upon with immortality: he was going to a world
|
|
where he needed not the mantle to adorn him, nor to shelter him from
|
|
the weather, nor to wrap his face in, as
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+19:13">1 Kings xix. 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
He left his mantle as a legacy to Elisha, and, though in itself it was
|
|
of small value, yet as it was a token of the descent of the Spirit upon
|
|
him, it was more than if he had bequeathed to 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, and a recompence to him for his
|
|
own garments which he had rent. he loved this cloak ever since it was
|
|
first cast over him,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+19:19">1 Kings xix. 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
He that then so cheerfully obeyed the summons of it, and became
|
|
Elijah's servant, is now dignified with it, and becomes his successor.
|
|
There are remains of great and good men, which, like this mantle, ought
|
|
to be gathered up and preserved by the survivors, their sayings, their
|
|
writings, their examples, that, as their works follow them in the
|
|
reward of them, they may stay behind in the benefit of them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. He was possessed of Elijah's power to divide Jordan,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+2:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
Having parted with his father, he returns to his sons in the schools of
|
|
the prophets. Jordan was between him and them; it had been divided to
|
|
make way for Elijah to his glory; he will try whether it will divide to
|
|
make way for him to his business, and by that he will know that God is
|
|
with him, and that he has the double portion of Elijah's spirit.
|
|
Elijah's last miracle shall be Elisha's first; thus he begins where
|
|
Elijah left off and there is no vacancy. In dividing the waters,
|
|
|
|
(1.) He made use of Elijah's mantle, as Elijah himself had done
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+2:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>),
|
|
|
|
to signify that he designed to keep to his master's methods and would
|
|
not introduce any thing new, as those affect to do that think
|
|
themselves wiser than their predecessors.
|
|
|
|
(2.) He applied to Elijah's God: <I>Where is the Lord God of
|
|
Elijah?</I> He does not ask, "Where is Elijah?" as poring upon the loss
|
|
of him, as if he could not be easy now that he was gone,--or as
|
|
doubting of his happy state, as if, like the sons of the prophets here,
|
|
he knew not what had become of him,--or as curiously enquiring
|
|
concerning him, and the particular of that state he was removed to (no,
|
|
that is a hidden life, it does not yet appear what we shall be),--nor
|
|
as expecting help from him; no, Elijah is happy, but is neither
|
|
omniscient nor omnipotent; but he asks, <I>Where is the Lord God of
|
|
Elijah?</I> Now that Elijah was taken to heaven God had abundantly
|
|
proved himself the God of Elijah; if he had not prepared for him that
|
|
city, and done better for him there than ever he did for him in this
|
|
world, he <I>would have been ashamed to be called his God,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+11:16">Heb. xi. 16</A>;
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+27:31,32">Matt. xxvii. 31, 32</A>.
|
|
|
|
Now that Elijah was taken to heaven Elisha enquired,
|
|
|
|
[1.] After God. When our creature-comforts are removed, we have a God
|
|
to go to, that lives for ever.
|
|
|
|
[2.] After <I>The God of Elijah,</I> the God that Elijah served, and
|
|
honoured, and pleaded for, and adhered to when all Israel had deserted
|
|
him. This honour is done to those who cleave to God in times of general
|
|
apostasy, that God will be, in a peculiar manner, their God. "The God
|
|
that owned, and protected, and provided for Elijah, and many ways
|
|
honoured him, especially now at last, where is he? Lord, am not I
|
|
promised Elijah's spirit? Make good that promise." The words which next
|
|
follow in the original, <I>Aph-his--even he,</I> which we join to the
|
|
following clause, <I>when he also had smitten the waters,</I> some make
|
|
an answer to this question, <I>Where is Elijah's God? Etiam ille adhuc
|
|
superest--"He is in being still,</I> and nigh at hand. We have lost
|
|
Elijah, but we have not lost Elijah's God. He <I>has not forsaken the
|
|
earth;</I> it is even he that is still with me." Note, <I>First,</I> It
|
|
is the duty and interest of the saints on earth to enquire after God,
|
|
and apply to him as the Lord God of the saints that have gone before to
|
|
heaven, <I>the God of our fathers. Secondly,</I> It is very comfortable
|
|
to those who enquire of him; it is <I>even he</I> that <I>is in his
|
|
holy temple</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+11:4">Ps. xi. 4</A>)
|
|
|
|
and <I>nigh to all who call upon him,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+145:18">Ps. cxlv. 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Thirdly,</I> Those that walk in the spirit and steps of their godly
|
|
faithful predecessors shall certainly experience the same grace that
|
|
they experienced; Elijah's God will be Elisha's too. The Lord God of
|
|
the holy prophets is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever; and 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?</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. He was possessed of Elijah's interest in the sons of the prophets,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+2:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
Some of the fellows of the college at Jericho, who had placed
|
|
themselves conveniently near Jordan, to see what passed, were surprised
|
|
to see Jordan divided before Elisha in his return, and took that as a
|
|
convincing evidence that <I>the spirit of Elijah did rest upon him,</I>
|
|
and that therefore they ought to pay the same respect and deference to
|
|
him that they had paid to Elijah. Accordingly they went to meet him, to
|
|
congratulate him on his safe passage through fire and water, and the
|
|
honour God had put upon him; and they <I>bowed themselves to the ground
|
|
before him.</I> They were trained up in the schools; Elisha was taken
|
|
from the plough; yet when they perceived that God was with him, and
|
|
that this was <I>the man whom he delighted to honour,</I> they readily
|
|
submitted to him as their head and father, as the people to Joshua when
|
|
Moses was dead,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+1:17">Josh. i. 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
Those that appear to have God's Spirit and presence with them ought to
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have our esteem and best affections, notwithstanding the meanness of
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their extraction and education. This ready submission of the sons of
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the prophets, no doubt, was a great encouragement to Elisha, and helped
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to clear his call.</P>
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<P>
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II. The needless search which the sons of the prophets made for Elijah.
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1. They suggested that possibly he was dropped, either alive or dead,
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|
upon some mountain, or in some valley; and it would be a satisfaction
|
|
to them if they sent some strong men, whom they had at command, in
|
|
quest of him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+2:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>.
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Some of them perhaps started this as a demurrer to the choice of
|
|
Elisha: "Let us first be sure that Elijah has quite gone. Can we think
|
|
Elijah thus neglected by heaven, that chosen vessel thus cast away as a
|
|
vessel in which was no pleasure?"
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2. Elisha consented not to their motion till they overcame him with
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|
importunity,
|
|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+2:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
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They urged him till he was ashamed to oppose it any further lest he
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|
should be thought wanting in his respect to his old master or loth to
|
|
resign the mantle again. 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.
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|
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3. The issue made them as much ashamed of their proposal as they, by
|
|
their importunity, had made Elisha ashamed of his opposing it. Their
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|
messengers, after they had tired themselves with fruitless search,
|
|
returned with a <I>non est inventus--he is not to be found,</I> and
|
|
gave Elisha an opportunity of upbraiding his friends with their folly:
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|
<I>Did I not say unto you, Go not?</I>
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|
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+2:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>.
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This would make them the more willing to acquiesce in his judgment
|
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another time. Traversing hills and valleys will never bring us to
|
|
Elijah, but the imitation of his holy faith and zeal will, in due
|
|
time.</P>
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<A NAME="2Ki2_19"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki2_20"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki2_21"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki2_22"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki2_23"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki2_24"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki2_25"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Waters of Jericho Healed; the Death of the Mocking Children.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 895.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>19 And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray
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thee, the situation of this city <I>is</I> pleasant, as my lord seeth:
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but the water <I>is</I> naught, and the ground barren.
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20 And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And
|
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they brought <I>it</I> to him.
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21 And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast
|
|
the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, I have healed
|
|
these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or
|
|
barren <I>land.</I>
|
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22 So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the
|
|
saying of Elisha which he spake.
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23 And he went up from thence unto Beth-el: and as he was going
|
|
up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city,
|
|
and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up,
|
|
thou bald head.
|
|
24 And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in
|
|
the name of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>. And there came forth two she bears out of
|
|
the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.
|
|
25 And he went from thence to mount Carmel, and from thence he
|
|
returned to Samaria.
|
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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|
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|
Elisha had, in this respect, a double portion of Elijah's spirit, that
|
|
he wrought more miracles than Elijah. Some reckon them in number just
|
|
double. Two are recorded in these verses--a miracle of mercy to Jericho
|
|
and a miracle of judgment to Bethel,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+101:1">Ps. ci. 1</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. Here is a blessing upon the waters of Jericho, which was effectual
|
|
to heal them. Jericho was built in disobedience to a command, in
|
|
defiance to a threatening, and at the expense of the lives of all the
|
|
builder's children; yet, when it was built, it was not ordered to be
|
|
demolished again, nor were God's prophets or people forbidden to dwell
|
|
in it, but even within those walls that were built by iniquity we find
|
|
a nursery of piety. Fools, they say, build houses for wise men to dwell
|
|
in. Here the wealth of the sinner provided a habitation for the just.
|
|
We find Christ at Jericho,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+19:1">Luke xix. 1</A>.
|
|
|
|
Hither Elisha came, to confirm the souls of the disciples with a more
|
|
particular account of Elijah's translation than their spies, who saw at
|
|
a distance, could give them. Here he staid while the fifty men were
|
|
searching for him. And,
|
|
|
|
1. The men of Jericho represented to him their grievance,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+2:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
God's faithful prophets love to be employed; it is wisdom to make use
|
|
of them during the little while that their light is with us. They had
|
|
not applied to Elijah concerning the matter, perhaps because he was not
|
|
so easy of access as Elisha was; but now, we may hope, by the influence
|
|
of the divinity-school in their city, they were reformed. The situation
|
|
was pleasant and afforded a good prospect; but they had neither
|
|
wholesome water to drink nor fruitful soil to yield them food, and what
|
|
pleasure could they take in their prospect? Water is a common mercy,
|
|
which we should estimate by the greatness of the calamity which the
|
|
want or unwholesomeness of it would be. Some think that it was not all
|
|
the ground about Jericho that was barren and had bad water, but some
|
|
one part only, and <I>that</I> where the sons of the prophets had their
|
|
lodgings, who are here called <I>the men of the city.</I>
|
|
|
|
2. He soon redressed their grievance. Prophets should endeavour to make
|
|
every place they come to, some way or other, the better for them,
|
|
endeavouring to sweeten bitter spirits, and to make barren souls
|
|
fruitful, by the due application of the word of God. Elisha will heal
|
|
their waters; but,
|
|
|
|
(1.) They must furnish him with salt in a new cruse,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+2:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
If salt had been proper to season the water, yet what could so small a
|
|
quantity do towards it and what the better for being in a new cruse?
|
|
But thus those that would be helped must be employed and have their
|
|
faith and obedience tried. God's works of grace are wrought, not by any
|
|
operations of ours, but in observance of his institutions.
|
|
|
|
(2.) He cast the salt <I>into the spring of the waters,</I> and so
|
|
healed the streams and the ground they watered. Thus the way to reform
|
|
men's lives is to renew their hearts; let those be seasoned with the
|
|
salt of grace; for <I>out of them are the issues of life. Make the tree
|
|
good and the fruit will be good.</I> Purify the heart and that will
|
|
cleanse the hands.
|
|
|
|
(3.) He did not pretend to do this by his own power, but in God's name:
|
|
<I>Thus saith the Lord, I have healed these waters.</I> He is but the
|
|
instrument, the channel through which God is pleased to convey this
|
|
healing virtue. By doing them this kindness with a <I>Thus saith the
|
|
Lord,</I> they would be made the more willing hereafter, to receive
|
|
from him a reproof, admonition, or command, with the same preface. If,
|
|
in God's name, he can help them, in God's name let him teach and rule
|
|
them. <I>Thus saith the Lord,</I> out of Elisha's mouth, must, ever
|
|
after, be of mighty force with them.
|
|
|
|
(4.) The cure was lasting, and not for the present only: <I>The waters
|
|
were healed unto this day,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+2:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
What God does <I>shall be for ever,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+3:14">Eccl. iii. 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
When he, by his Spirit, <I>heals a soul,</I> there shall be <I>no more
|
|
death nor barrenness;</I> the property is altered: what was useless and
|
|
offensive becomes grateful and serviceable.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. Here is a curse upon the children of Bethel, which was effectual to
|
|
destroy them; for it was not a curse causeless. At Bethel there was
|
|
another school of prophets. Thither Elisha went next, in this his
|
|
primary visitation, and the scholars there no doubt welcomed him with
|
|
all possible respect, but the townsmen were abusive to him. One of
|
|
Jeroboam's calves was at Bethel; this they were proud of, and fond of,
|
|
and hated those that reproved them. The law did not empower them to
|
|
suppress this pious academy, but we may suppose it was their usual
|
|
practice to jeer the prophets as they went along the streets, to call
|
|
them by some nickname or other, that they might expose them to
|
|
contempt, prejudice their youth against them, and, if possible, drive
|
|
them out of their town. Had the abuse done to Elisha been the first
|
|
offence of that kind, it is probable that it would not have been so
|
|
severely punished. But <I>mocking the messengers of the Lord,</I> and
|
|
<I>misusing the prophets,</I> was one of the <I>crying sins of
|
|
Israel,</I> as we find,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+36:16">2 Chron. xxxvi. 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
Now here we have,
|
|
|
|
1. An instance of that sin. The little <I>children of Bethel,</I> the
|
|
boys and girls that were playing in the streets (notice, it is likely,
|
|
having come to the town of his approach), went out to meet him, not
|
|
with their hosannas, as they ought to have done, but with their scoffs;
|
|
they gathered about him and mocked him, as if he had been a fool, or
|
|
one fit to make sport with. Among other things that they used to jeer
|
|
the prophets with, they had this particular taunt for him, <I>Go up,
|
|
thou bald head, go up, thou bald head.</I> It is a wicked thing to
|
|
reproach persons for their natural infirmities or deformities; it is
|
|
adding affliction to the afflicted; and, if they are as God made them,
|
|
the reproach reflects upon him. But this was such a thing as scarcely
|
|
deserved to be called a blemish, and would never have been turned to
|
|
his reproach if they had had any thing else to reproach him with. It
|
|
was his character as a prophet that they designed to abuse. The honour
|
|
God had crowned him with should have been sufficient to cover his bald
|
|
head and protect him from their scoffs. They bade him <I>go up,</I>
|
|
perhaps reflecting on the assumption of Elijah: "Thy master," they say,
|
|
"has gone up; why dost not thou go up after him? Where is the fiery
|
|
chariot? When shall we be rid of thee too?" These children said as they
|
|
were taught; they had learned of their idolatrous parents to call foul
|
|
names and give bad language, especially to prophets. These young cocks,
|
|
as we say, crowed after the old ones. Perhaps their parents did at
|
|
this time send them out and set them on, that, if possible, they might
|
|
keep the prophet out of their town.
|
|
|
|
2. A specimen of that ruin which came down upon Israel at last, for
|
|
misusing God's prophets, and of which this was intended to give them
|
|
fair warning. Elisha heard their taunts, a good while, with patience;
|
|
but at length the fire of holy zeal for God was kindled in his breast
|
|
by the continued provocation, and he <I>turned and looked upon
|
|
them,</I> to try if a grave and severe look would put them out of
|
|
countenance and oblige them to retire, to see if he could discern in
|
|
their faces any marks of ingenuousness; but they <I>were not ashamed,
|
|
neither could they blush;</I> and therefore he <I>cursed them in the
|
|
name of the Lord,</I> both imprecated and denounced the following
|
|
judgment, not in personal revenge for the indignity done to himself,
|
|
but as the mouth of divine justice to punish the dishonour done to God.
|
|
His summons was immediately obeyed. Two she-bears (bears perhaps robbed
|
|
of their whelps) came out of an adjacent wood, and presently killed
|
|
forty-two children,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+2:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>.
|
|
|
|
Now in this,
|
|
|
|
(1.) The prophet must be justified, for he did it by divine impulse.
|
|
Had the curse come from any bad principle God would not have said
|
|
<I>Amen</I> to it. We may think it would have been better to have
|
|
called for two rods for the correction of these children than two bears
|
|
for the destruction of them. But Elisha knew, by the Spirit, the bad
|
|
character of these children. He knew what a generation of vipers those
|
|
were, and what mischievous enemies they would be to God's prophets if
|
|
they should live to be men, who began so early to be abusive to them.
|
|
He intended hereby to punish the parents and to make them afraid of
|
|
God's judgments.
|
|
|
|
(2.) God must be glorified as a righteous God, that hates sin, and will
|
|
reckon for it, even in little children. Let the wicked wretched brood
|
|
make our flesh tremble for fear of God. Let little children be afraid
|
|
of speaking wicked words, for God notices what they say. Let them not
|
|
mock any for their defects in mind or body, but pity them rather;
|
|
especially let them know that it is at their peril if they jeer God's
|
|
people or ministers, and scoff at any for well-doing. Let parents, that
|
|
would have comfort in their children, train them up well, and do their
|
|
utmost betimes to drive out the foolishness that is bound up in their
|
|
hearts; for, as bishop Hall says, "In vain do we look for good from
|
|
those children whose education we have neglected; and in vain do we
|
|
grieve for those miscarriages which our care might have prevented."
|
|
Elisha comes to Bethel and fears not the revenges of the bereaved
|
|
parents; God, who bade him do what he did, he knew would bear him out.
|
|
Thence he goes to Mount Carmel
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+2:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>),
|
|
|
|
where it is probable there was a religious house fit for retirement and
|
|
contemplation. Thence he returned to Samaria, where, being a public
|
|
place, this father of the prophets might be most serviceable. Bishop
|
|
Hall observes here, "That he can never be a profitable seer who is
|
|
either always or never alone."</P>
|
|
|
|
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