2 Kings 2:2

And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said [unto him, As] the LORD liveth, and [as] thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel.

And Elijah {H452} said {H559} unto Elisha {H477}, Tarry {H3427} here, I pray thee; for the LORD {H3068} hath sent {H7971} me to Bethel {H1008}. And Elisha {H477} said {H559} unto him, As the LORD {H3068} liveth {H2416}, and as thy soul {H5315} liveth {H2416}, I will not leave {H5800} thee. So they went down {H3381} to Bethel {H1008}.

when Eliyahu said to Elisha, "Please wait here, because ADONAI has sent me all the way to Beit-El." But Elisha said, "As ADONAI lives, and as you live, I will not leave you." So they went down to Beit-El.

and Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to Bethel.” But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.

And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for Jehovah hath sent me as far as Beth-el. And Elisha said, As Jehovah liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Beth-el.

Commentary

2 Kings 2:2 marks a pivotal moment in the transition of prophetic leadership from Elijah to Elisha, highlighting Elisha's unwavering devotion and commitment.

Context

This verse opens the dramatic final chapter of Elijah's earthly ministry. Elijah, knowing his imminent ascension, attempts to send Elisha away, first at Gilgal, then here at Bethel, and later at Jericho and the Jordan River. These repeated requests serve as a test of Elisha's loyalty and determination to remain with his master until the very end. Bethel was a significant religious site, though often associated with idolatry in the northern kingdom of Israel under kings like Jeroboam, who set up a golden calf there. Despite its checkered history, it remained a place where "sons of the prophets" resided, indicating a community of prophetic students.

Key Themes

  • Loyalty and Unwavering Commitment: Elisha's resolute declaration, "As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee," is a powerful oath. It signifies his profound dedication to Elijah and to the prophetic calling itself. This steadfastness is crucial for him to inherit Elijah's spiritual authority.
  • Discipleship and Succession: The interaction demonstrates the depth of the master-disciple relationship. Elisha's refusal to leave signals his readiness to receive the spiritual inheritance and take on the mantle of leadership. This moment of steadfastness is key to Elisha’s later receiving the mantle of Elijah and continuing his prophetic ministry.
  • Divine Guidance and Testing: Elijah's journey is not arbitrary; he states, "the LORD hath sent me to Bethel." This indicates that the entire sequence of events, including the testing of Elisha, is part of God's sovereign plan for the prophetic succession.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth" is a solemn and common oath in the Old Testament. It emphasizes the absolute certainty and gravity of the speaker's statement. By invoking the life of God and the life of Elijah, Elisha underscores his unbreakable resolve and the importance of his commitment, indicating that his presence by Elijah's side is as certain as their very existence.

Practical Application

This verse offers powerful lessons for believers today. Elisha's persistence and loyalty serve as a model for our own commitment to God's calling and to spiritual mentors. True discipleship often requires unwavering dedication, even when faced with tests or temptations to turn back. Elisha’s resolute declaration foreshadows his desire to receive a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, reminding us that spiritual blessings often follow a demonstrated faithfulness and perseverance in following God's path. It encourages us to remain steadfast in our spiritual journey, knowing that God often uses such trials to prepare us for greater responsibilities.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 2:6 (5 votes)

    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 4:30 (4 votes)

    And the mother of the child said, [As] the LORD liveth, and [as] thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her.

  • Ruth 1:15 (4 votes)

    And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.

  • Ruth 1:18 (4 votes)

    When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.

  • 2 Kings 2:4 (3 votes)

    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.

  • 1 Samuel 1:26 (3 votes)

    And she said, Oh my lord, [as] thy soul liveth, my lord, I [am] the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD.

  • John 6:67 (3 votes)

    Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?