Death does not quench our love. Article Images Copyright © 2020 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. 1905-1909. Christ’s life was the best, and hence He said, “If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin.”. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/gsb/2-kings-2.html. Jehu was anointed king over Israel, by the Lord's special choice. "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged". Heaven and immortal glory, with the crown of eternal life, remained for him. When we die we cannot return to discharge any neglected duty. It is selfish to expect it; it is useless to demand it. Elijah friend of Elisha. Ask what I shall do for thee — One last request Elisha is permitted to make, and at a moment when his emotions might have made it a difficult thing for him to present an appropriate request. “Ask what I shall do for thee.” If men resist we are powerless; our instrumentality is moral, our best thoughts, our purest sympathies, our devoted efforts will all go for nothing, if men will not consent to our influence. We see in it the germs of the future, and the sight strengthens us to look more trustfully, more hopefully on the present. "George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary". Elisha, however, was in the midst of the struggle of life. Some, however, think, that as Elijah had no other successor, upon whom he was to bestow any prophetic gift, but Elisha, there can be no objection to our understanding the expression in the simple sense of a double portion of the prophetic spirit; since it is evident that he did many more miracles than Elijah, and even after his death exerted a divine power, in raising the dead man, ch. II. Sons of the prophets means no more than the disciples or scholars of the prophets. "Commentary on 2 Kings 2:9". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/rbc/2-kings-2.html. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause) for the gifts and operations of the Spirit of God. I. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/jtc/2-kings-2.html. Years are rolling on, and opinions are changing. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/acc/2-kings-2.html. Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible. Though Elijah was so great a prophet, yet Elisha had a double portion of his spirit. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/geb/2-kings-2.html. He obeyed God promptly, without questioning; we never should have heard of him but for that. 1. That our power to benefit men will depend upon their consent. 2 Kings 2:9, NASB: "When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, 'Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you.' 3. As Elijah represents the Baptist, Christ's forerunner, so Elisha prefigures Christ's successors, His servants who come after Him and inherit His gifts. "Commentary on 2 Kings 2:9". 2 Kings 13:21. 13. Double to what is in thee; which it seems not probable that he had confidence either to ask, or to expect. I do not suppose he had the slightest intimation as to the peculiar manner in which he would leave the earth, although his words indicate a premonition that he was not to die in the natural, usual way. Our power to bless others is limited by our lives. "Whedon's Commentary on the Bible". What does this verse really mean? You cannot really influence another, unless you are ready to deal with him as an equal. 2 Kings 2:9, NLT: "When they came to the other side, Elijah said to Elisha, 'Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken away.' The noblest legacy of the departed good, and the measure in which we should ask to possess it. All rights reserved. The response of Elijah was significant. I find the answer in our Scripture. Honor means "to give high regard, respect, and esteem to; to bring respect or credit to; an outward token, sign, or act that manifests high regard. 9. That men can only benefit their race while they are living upon earth. 2 Kings 2:9. A good man has power at all times to confer good, even on his deathbed; on his expiring couch he can exhibit fortitude under suffering, resignation to the Divine will, intercessory sympathies for the living. "The Adam Clarke Commentary". “I pray thee let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.”, 2. Many, after Ben Gersom, have thought it refers to the double portion of the firstborn, and that Elisha does not mean a double portion with respect to Elijah, but with respect to the junior prophets, with whom he might be considered as a firstborn, and so desired a double or greater portion than they, and which may be most correct F13; and when he asked this, he did not suppose it was in Elijah's power to give him it, only that he would pray to God, at parting with him, that he would bestow it on him. Hebrew. What are we to understand by “thy spirit”? 2 Kings 2:9, NASB: "When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, 'Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you.' ; Fausset, A. R.; Brown, David. "Commentary on 2 Kings 2:9". 1865-1868. He was to remain in the warring and striving world. Every one of us is streaming upon his fellows an unconscious influence Our practical question is--What is the best gift any one can yield his fellows? 1999. A perception of real worth. Here is something to lament. Could there be a finer statement of the true principle of progress?—a more excellent motto for the guidance of human affairs? 2. BibliographyWesley, John. “Let me be the firstborn among thy spiritual sons;” “Make me thy true spiritual heir;” not “Give me twice as great a share of the spirit of prophecy as thou possessest thyself,” as many have wrongly interpreted. The young complain that the old are hard, unsympathetic, unreasonable, interfering, exacting. “Before I be taken away from thee.” Elijah cannot pledge himself to anything after his departure. ix., p. 82; Preacher's Monthly, vol. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/tsk/2-kings-2.html. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.’. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bnb/2-kings-2.html. Banks, D. D.). "Commentary on 2 Kings 2:9". Elisha considered himself the only child or first-born of Elijah, as the disciples of eminent teachers were called their children; so here he claims a double portion of his spiritual influence, any other disciples coming in for a single share only. And Elisha said, "Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me. A generous interest in friends in the last hour of earthly life.