The cursory insight of coming events had such little meaning to the sons of the prophets (those taught by the prophets) that what they said was only a disturbance to Elisha and Elijah as they went on in communion together. Elisha's answer quieted them for the moment. It is one thing to know truth mentally, but in a coming day, unless such have received the love of the truth by walking in it by faith, they will meet with the common judgment of Christendom, in its season. The greatest of all judgments will roll over those who, as the Bethelites, of the truth and promises but have spurned them.
"And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho. And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Lord will take away thy master from thy head to-day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace." 2 Kings 2:4,54And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho. 5And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Lord will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace. (2 Kings 2:4‑5).
Jericho, the city of the curse, must be visited. Elisha was again tested but would not leave the prophet Elijah.
Jericho had been rebuilt in defiance of God, and it is the character of a cursed world through which we are passing, as Elisha did, where there is nothing to satisfy the heart. What a Babylon of violence and corruption!
The sons of the prophets could only repeat what they had said before. They did not participate with the prophets.
"And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the Lord hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on." 2 Kings 2:66And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the Lord hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on. (2 Kings 2:6).
Elisha would not leave Elijah, for he insisted on pressing into the kingdom. Notice the beautiful language. Sometimes we have tried to encourage someone by setting out a path for him, but this is not of God. Example is rather the principle. The Lord might send me to this or that place. If the Lord has sent me and I take that path, then I am sure that it will be an example to someone else.