Eliyah and the Chariot of Fire
2 Kings 2:1-11 1
And it came to pass, when Yahweh was about
to take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from
Gilgal.
2 Then Elijah said to Elisha,
"Stay here, please, for Yahweh has sent me on to Bethel." But Elisha
said,
"As Yahweh lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave
you!" So they went down to Bethel.
3 Now the sons of the prophets who were
at Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, "Do you
know that Yahweh will take away your master from over you today?" And
he said, "Yes, I know;
keep silent!"
4 Then Elijah said to him,
"Elisha, stay here, please, for Yahweh has sent me on to Jericho." But
he said, "As Yahweh lives, and as your soul lives, I will not
leave you!" So they came to Jericho.
5 Now the sons of the prophets who were
at Jericho came to Elisha and said to him, "Do you know
that Yahweh will take away your master from over you today?" So he
answered, "Yes, I know;
keep silent!"
6 Then Elijah said to him,
"Stay here, please, for Yahweh has sent me on to the Jordan."
But he said, "As Yahweh lives, and as your soul lives,
I will not leave you!" So the two of them went on.
7 And fifty men of the sons
of the prophets went and stood facing them at a distance, while the two
of
them stood by the Jordan.
8 Now 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.
9 And so it was, when they
had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask! What may I do for you,
before I am taken away from you?" Elisha said, "Please let a
double portion of your spirit be upon me."
10 So he said, "You have
asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken
from you,
it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so."
11 Then it happened, as they
continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with
horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind
into heaven.