Elijah Taken Up in the Whirlwind

Before the LORD took Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha traveled from Gilgal. Elijah requested that Elisha stay behind while he went to Bethel, but Elisha refused to leave him. They traveled to Bethel and then to Jericho, where groups of prophets asked Elisha if he knew the LORD would take away his master that day; Elisha acknowledged this and told them to remain silent (2 Kings 2:1-5). Elijah again asked Elisha to stay while he went to the Jordan, but Elisha swore not to leave his side. Fifty men from the company of prophets followed them but stood at a distance by the Jordan.

At the river, Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up, and struck the water. The water divided to the right and left, allowing the two men to cross on dry ground (2 Kings 2:8). Once they had crossed, Elijah asked Elisha what he could do for him before he was taken away. Elisha requested a double portion of Elijah's spirit. Elijah stated that Elisha had asked a hard thing, but if Elisha saw him when he was taken, it would be granted; if not, the text does not say it would be granted. As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them.

Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven while Elisha watched and cried out, calling Elijah the chariot of Israel and its horsemen. When Elisha could no longer see him, he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces (2 Kings 2:11-12). Elisha then picked up Elijah’s mantle that had fallen from him. He returned to the bank of the Jordan and struck the water with the mantle, asking where the LORD God of Elijah was. The water divided again, and Elisha crossed over. The company of prophets from Jericho observed this and stated that the spirit of Elijah rested on Elisha.