2 Kings

2 Kings 2: The LORD takes Elijah to heaven

Begin in prayer

Before we follow Elijah and Elisha to the Jordan, let us come to the Lord together. Ask Him to make us ready to receive His Word, and to show us Jesus, who came from heaven for His people.

Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in Yahweh’s house forever.

Psalm 23:6

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You took Elijah home and let his spirit rest on Elisha. Help us to trust Jesus, who went up into heaven and reigns there. Make us more like Him. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The LORD is about to take Elijah up to heaven, and the two men leave Gilgal together. At Bethel and at Jericho, the sons of the prophets tell Elisha that his master will be taken that day. Elisha will not leave Elijah, and at the Jordan Elijah asks what he should do for him. Elisha asks for a double portion of Elijah's spirit, and Elijah says it will be so if he sees him taken. A chariot and horses of fire separate them, and Elijah goes up by a whirlwind. Elisha takes up Elijah's mantle, strikes the Jordan, and the waters part for him. At Jericho he heals bad water with salt, and on the road to Bethel some youths mock him.

As you read 2 Kings 2, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD took Elijah to heaven, and the spirit of Elijah rested on Elisha.

Elijah was the LORD's prophet in Israel, and now the LORD was about to take him up to heaven (verse 1). Elijah told Elisha three times to wait, but Elisha would not leave his master (verses 2, 4 and 6). At each stop the sons of the prophets told Elisha that his master would be taken that day (verses 3 and 5). Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah's spirit, the share of a firstborn son (verse 9 and Deuteronomy 21 verse 17). A chariot and horses of fire came between them, and Elijah went up by a whirlwind (verse 11). Elisha cried, “My father, my father,” for he had lost the man who stood for Israel (verse 12). Elisha struck the Jordan with Elijah's mantle and asked where the LORD was, and the waters parted (verse 14). The sons of the prophets saw that the spirit of Elijah rested on him (verse 15). The LORD's work did not end when Elijah was taken, for the same God was with Elisha at the Jordan.

How does 2 Kings 2 show us that the LORD took Elijah to heaven, and that the spirit of Elijah rested on Elisha?

The LORD takes Elijah up to heaven.

The LORD was about to take Elijah up, so Elijah walked from Gilgal to the Jordan with Elisha (verses 1 to 6). A chariot and horses of fire came between them, and Elijah went up by a whirlwind (verse 11). Jesus, who died for sinners and rose again, was also taken up into heaven while His disciples watched (Acts 1 verse 9).

Elisha receives the spirit of Elijah.

Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah's spirit, the share the firstborn received (verse 9 and Deuteronomy 21 verse 17). Elijah said it would be so if Elisha saw him taken, and Elisha did see it (verses 10 and 12). When he struck the Jordan, the waters parted, and the sons of the prophets bowed before him (verses 14 and 15).

The LORD heals the bad waters at Jericho.

The city of Jericho was pleasant, but its water was bad and the land was barren (verse 19). Elisha threw salt from a new jar into the spring and said the LORD had healed these waters (verses 20 and 21). The waters were still healed when this was written, according to Elisha's word (verse 22).

Youths mock Elisha, and he curses them in the LORD's name.

Some youths came out of the city and mocked Elisha, calling him a baldy (verse 23). Elisha cursed them in the LORD's name, and two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of them (verse 24). The text does not say that the LORD sent the bears, so we tell only what it says. Parents, you may want to explain these verses in your own words, without details.

Memorise

a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated them, and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

2 Kings 2:11

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, will I follow Jesus, who went up into heaven and rules there?

Elisha said, “I will not leave you,” and he saw the LORD take Elijah up into heaven. Jesus also went up into heaven while His disciples watched, and from there He sent His Holy Spirit to His people.

Elijah went up in a whirlwind, but he could not carry away anyone's sin. Sin keeps every person from God. So Jesus came down and died on the cross, and He paid the debt of His people's sin once for all. God raised Him up, and He ascended to heaven.

Now turn from your sin and put your hope in Jesus. He forgives everyone who repents and trusts Him, and He gives His Holy Spirit to them (Acts 2 verse 38).

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD took Elijah to heaven, and that He let Elisha carry on as His prophet. Parents, please explain verses 23 and 24 in your own words, without details. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He takes His servants home and sends His Spirit to His people, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

They cried to you, and were delivered. They trusted in you, and were not disappointed.

Psalm 22:5

Father, thank You for taking Elijah home and for letting Elisha carry on as Your prophet. Thank You for Jesus, who went up into heaven and promises to receive those who come to Him. Draw each child to turn away from sin and trust Him. Help us to follow Jesus this week and to walk closely with You. Amen.