V.1-11 We have not heard of Elisha since the day Elijah called him to follow him (l Kings 19:19-21). No doubt God was training His servant Elisha secretly for the work he was to do. But here we see him learning his lessons openly. Though he is going to be privileged to witness something which had never been seen before by a human being, he is to be tested.
V.2-6 How many times does Elisha tell Elijah “I will not leave thee”? The sons of the prophets try to discourage Elisha from following Elijah. Notice how many times they try.
V.8 In Joshua 3, God stopped the waters of Jordan for millions to pass over. He will now do the same thing for two men!
V.9-11 Here Elijah is a beautiful picture of the Man Christ Jesus Who ascends to heaven. Elisha a picture of us, is left here on earth. Elijah asks Elisha what he wants most. He asks for nothing on earth, nothing material. His answer shows where his heart is. He wants spiritual power. It must come from God. If Elisha is to get his request, he must be watching “the heavenly man,” Elijah. If we are going to have spiritual power, it must be through keeping our eye on Christ. The sight of Christ in heaven is the secret of power down here. The martyr Stephen (Acts 7:5555But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, (Acts 7:55)), is an example of this.
Elijah ascends to heaven, not in a chariot of fire, but by a whirlwind.
V.12-14 Elisha now becomes a representative of a man in heaven. This is what each believer is to be. The effect on him was that he, first of all, tore his old clothes. He was finished with the old life. Secondly, he now has the garment of the ascended man. Read 2 Corinthians 5:17 for the way we should he living.
V.15-18 These have no spiritual intelligence. A believer who stands afar off, seldom knows the right path to follow.
V.23-25 People think that God will not punish those who mock His love and grace! The sons of the prophets had shown unbelief. The men in the city didn’t care about the ascension of Elijah. But these mock, so here is the result.