Melakhim II Chapter 2 | Eliyahu Ascends in a Whirlwind to Heaven

The chapter opens with a declaration: “When the Lord was about to take Eliyahu up to heaven in a whirlwind” (2:1). Thus, we learn of the miraculous event that will occur later in the chapter even before the story begins. Nevertheless, the narrative maintains a sense of secrecy and suspense. The prophets who encounter Eliyahu and Elisha already know what is about to happen: “The brotherhood of the prophets... came out to Elisha and said to him, ‘Do you know that the Lord will take your master away from you today?’” Elisha responds by trying to preserve the air of secrecy: “And he said, ‘Of course I know; be silent’” (2:3). Everyone knows, yet the matter remains unspoken and subdued.

At the heart of this story of Eliyahu’s ascension to heaven are two significant dynamics:
1. The relationship between Eliyahu and Elisha.
2. The relationship between Elisha and the prophets.

Both dynamics focus on one goal: Elisha stepping into the significant role left by Eliyahu. Rav Elchanan Samet (see full article here) identifies several structural elements in the chapter:

- The climax of the story is Eliyahu’s ascension to heaven. Up until this point, the narrative emphasizes Elisha’s persistent efforts to stay close to his teacher. Afterward, the focus shifts to Elisha proving his stature as a prophet of the same caliber as his teacher.
- Both relationships involve repeated dialogues in a threefold and fourfold pattern (a recurring biblical structure, where the first three elements repeat, and the fourth delivers the key point).

Three times, Eliyahu asks Elisha to stay behind (at Gilgal, Beit El, and Yericho) and not accompany him to the next station. Presumably, Eliyahu intended to make this journey alone — perhaps echoing his attempt to flee from his prophetic mission after the events at Mount Carmel. However, Elisha insists and swears three times: “As the Lord lives, and by your own life, I will not leave you.” After the third time, Eliyahu seems to relent, and from this point, the text emphasizes the word “שניהם” — they proceed together, as Elisha desired. Elisha’s aspiration is expressed in the climactic moment before Eliyahu’s ascension: “Oh, if only twice your spirit would rest upon me” — Elisha seeks not only to replace Eliyahu but to be his true successor. Then, the chariots of fire and horses of fire (the fire reminds us of Eliyahu’s zeal and the fiery episodes in his prophetic career) separate them. This marks the turning point. Elisha sees Eliyahu ascend, affirming that he has received Eliyahu’s spirit, and then “he saw him no more” — Elisha is now alone.

From this point onward, Elisha will replicate many of Eliyahu’s miracles, demonstrating to the prophets that “The spirit of Eliyahu has settled on Elisha” (2:15). However, the transition between Eliyahu and Elisha also highlights their differences and reminds us why Eliyahu was replaced. At the end of his mission, Eliyahu retraces the stations of Israel’s entry into the land — in reverse order: from Gilgal to Beit El, to Yericho, crossing the Jordan River (like Yehoshua and Moshe), and from there, he exits the stage. Eliyahu, as a prophet, had given up on the people of Israel. Elisha, following Eliyahu’s departure, retraces the path: from the Jordan River to Yericho, and then deeper into the land. Even in his actions, Elisha serves as a mirror image of Eliyahu: while Eliyahu’s first prophecy was about stopping rain, Elisha’s first act is healing the waters of the city of Yericho. The chapter thus demonstrates that while Elisha inherits the power of his teacher, Eliyahu, he channels it toward the necessary goals (as will become clear): using prophetic power for the aid and salvation of the people of Israel.