The second chapter of 2 Kings relates the departure of the prophet Elijah from the earth. There is much about the chapter that is peculiar, but it clearly demonstrates both the power of God, and the significance of this man of God who did so much during his life.
We are all familiar with portions of Elijah’s life. Although his youth and entrance as a prophet are shrouded in mystery, his actions during his time as a representative of the Almighty were glorious.
He is introduced as being “Elijah the Tishbite” from Gilead as he pronounced to the evil king Ahab a famine upon the land for the evil done under the king. Elijah’s word was true, as there was no “dew nor rain” upon the land for three years, before Elijah prayed that the famine would end, as recorded in 1 Kings 18: 41-45. While in that famine, though Ahab sought his life, Elijah was given sustenance miraculously by the Lord both by the Brook Cherith (1 Kings 17:5-6), and later in the house of the widow at Zarephath (1 Kings 17:10-16). When Elijah healed the widow’s son, we are told that the woman said to Elijah, “Now by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is the truth” (1 Kings 17:24).
He is described in scripture, as was John the Baptist, as a hard man in dress and demeanor. King Ahaziah’s messenger’s in 2 Kings 1:8 described him as “A hairy man wearing a leather belt around his waist.” The description was familiar to Ahaziah, who immediately recognized him as the prophet. The Hebrew writer describes such dress as characteristic of the devoted followers of Jehovah who “wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth” (Hebrews 11:37-38).
The significant events in Elijah’s life, which made the Jews consider him the greatest of the prophets, take place in 1 Kings 18 through 21.
In 1 Kings 18, Elijah presented himself to Ahab condemning the wicked king for his idolatry. He incorrectly stated that while the prophets of Baal in Israel numbered 450 men, “I alone am left a prophet of the Lord…” (18:22). Despite the odds, with God enabling him, he defeated the prophets in a contest on Mount Carmel, and finished the event by garnering the fealty of the people, and killing all 450 prophets of the idol. (18:22-40). Following the contest, Elijah prayed, and the famine in Israel ended (18:45).
While his victory was great, it served to enrage Ahab’s idolatrous wife Jezebel. She was not convinced like the people that, “The Lord, He is God! The Lord, He is God!” (18:39). Instead she made a vow to her false gods, sending a message to Elijah, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them [the prophets of Baal that Elijah had executed] by tomorrow about this time” (19:2).
Protected by God’s power, Jezebel was unable to touch Elijah, but her threat weighed upon him heavily. He “ran for his life” to Beersheba and prayed to God that he might die. “It is enough! Now Lord, take my life for I am no better than my fathers” (19:4). God showed His provision to Elijah, telling His prophet, “Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him” (19:18). In a wonderful turn of circumstance, Elijah’s spirit was renewed, and Elisha was given to him as a servant of the great prophet.
In the meantime, chapter 20 reveals that the disobedience of king Ahab sealed his fate. Another prophet told the king the Lord’s message to him, “Because you have let slip out of your hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction, therefore your life shall go for his life, and your people for his people” (20:42). After Ahab and Jezebel’s final atrocity, taking the vineyard of Naboth, Elijah personally pronounced their judgment from God. Elijah once again presented himself to Ahab, who stated, “Have you found me, O my enemy?” (21:20). Ahab later died in battle at Ramoth Gilead to the Syrians, and Jezebel later died violently at the hands of another king of Israel, Jehu, as recorded in 2 Kings 9.
This brings us to the end of Elijah’s life on earth as recorded in 2 Kings 2. We are told that God determined to “take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind” (2:1). It is of great note that his servant Elisha was faithful to him until the end. He followed Elijah to Bethel (2:2-3), Jericho (2:4-5), and then on to the Jordan river (2:6-7). When they reached the Jordan, Elijah “took his mantle, rolled it up, and struck the water; and it was divided this way and that, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground” (2:8).
Elijah was thankful for Elisha’s faithfulness, and was allowed by God to reward it with a double portion of his own spirit (2:9-10). From Elisha’s crossing back over the Jordan in the same way as Elijah (2:14), to his life and exploits as a prophet himself, it is evident that he carried on the same paths as his master. On the east side of the Jordan the two men saw a chariot of fire appear, with horses of fire, and Elijah was separated from the younger man, going up by “a whirlwind into heaven” (2:11).
Perhaps this is the final testimony to the greatness of Elijah. He did not die, as he was taken directly to heaven. Later, on the mount of transfiguration he was joined by Moses, as the Father declared the preeminence of His Son Jesus (cf. Matthew 17:1-8). One of the two great figures of the Old Covenant, Elijah was a great prophet of God.
