2 Kings, 2
11. And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, [there appeared] a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
11. And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, [there appeared] a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
2 Kings 2 reports Elijah's rise to heaven in a whirlwind of fire and the prophetic succession of Elisha. Elijah is taken by a fire car and Elisha inherits Elijah's cloak as his prophetic successor. Here are five verses related to the topics covered in 2 Kings 2:
Exodus 13:21: "And the LORD went before them, day in a cloud column to guide them along the way, and at night in a column of fire to illuminate them, to walk day and night." This verse resembles God's manifestation in a column of cloud and fire, similar to the whirlwind of fire that led Elijah, suggesting divine presence and protection.
2 Kings 1:10: "Elijah answered, saying to the captain of fifty, If I am a man of God, fire from heaven, and devour him to you and your fifty. Then he fell fire to heaven and devoured him to Him and his own fifty." This verse highlights the power of Elijah as God's prophet, who is able to invoke fire from heaven to protect his divine authority.
2 Kings 4:14: "Then he said, What shall we do for her? Replied Gehazi, In fact she has no son, and her husband is old." This verse introduces the story of a woman who hosts Elisha and her connection to the theme of prophetic succession, as she is rewarded with a child for hosting the prophet and later seeks Elisha's help when her son gets sick.
2 Kings 13:14: "And Elisha was sick of the disease that he died; and came to him Joas, king of Israel, and cried upon his face, saying, My father, my father! The car of Israel, and his knights, and his knights ! This verse records Elisha's death and its importance as a prophet to Israel, calling him "Israel's car" and highlighting his role as a significant figure for King Joas.
1 Kings 19:19: "And from there, he found Elisha the son of a naughty, who poured twelve oxen together, and he was with the twelfth; and Elijah passed him and threw his cloak upon him." This verse tells how Elijah found Elisha and chose it as his prophetic successor, preparing the terrain for the prophetic succession that occurs in 2 Kings 2.
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