2 Kings 2:4

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 Elijah {H452} said {H559} unto him, Elisha {H477}, tarry {H3427} here, I pray thee; for the LORD {H3068} hath sent {H7971} me to Jericho {H3405}. And he said {H559}, As the LORD {H3068} liveth {H2416}, and as thy soul {H5315} liveth {H2416}, I will not leave {H5800} thee. So they came {H935} to Jericho {H3405}.

Eliyahu said to him, "Elisha, please wait here, because ADONAI has sent me to Yericho." He replied, "As ADONAI lives, and as you live, I will not leave you." So they came to Yericho.

And Elijah said to Elisha, โ€œPlease stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to Jericho.โ€ But Elisha replied, โ€œAs surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.โ€ So they went to Jericho.

And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for Jehovah hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As Jehovah liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho.

Commentary

Commentary on 2 Kings 2:4 (KJV)

2 Kings 2:4 continues the compelling narrative of Elijah's final moments on earth and Elisha's unwavering dedication as his successor. This verse highlights a crucial test of commitment and the profound bond between the departing prophet and his devoted disciple.

Context

This verse is part of a series of movements Elijah makes before his miraculous ascension into heaven. Starting from Gilgal (2 Kings 2:1), Elijah attempts three times to separate himself from Elisha, first at Bethel (2 Kings 2:2), then here at Jericho, and finally at the Jordan River. Each attempt serves as a test of Elisha's resolve and dedication. Jericho itself is a city with significant biblical history, notably the miraculous fall of its walls under Joshua, symbolizing God's power and presence in the land. Elijah's journey through these places is not random but divinely orchestrated, preparing Elisha for the spiritual inheritance he is about to receive.

Key Themes

  • Unwavering Loyalty and Dedication: Elisha's emphatic refusal to leave Elijah demonstrates profound loyalty. His persistence is key to receiving the double portion of Elijah's spirit, which he later requests. This commitment underscores the spiritual principle that those who earnestly seek God's anointing must be willing to endure tests of perseverance.
  • Prophetic Succession and Mentorship: The interaction between Elijah and Elisha provides a powerful model of spiritual mentorship and the transfer of prophetic authority. Elijah is not merely testing Elisha but preparing him for the immense responsibilities of leadership and ministry. Elisha's determination to stay by his master's side is a testament to his understanding of the gravity of the moment and his desire for divine empowerment.
  • Divine Purpose and Testing: Elijah's commands to "tarry here" are not arbitrary but are part of God's plan to refine and confirm Elisha's calling. These tests reveal the depth of Elisha's faith and his readiness to step into the prophetic office.

Linguistic Insights

Elisha's oath, "As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee," is a very strong and common formula in the Old Testament. The phrase "As the LORD liveth" (Hebrew: ื—ึทื™ึพื™ึฐื”ื•ึธื”, chai-Yahweh) serves as a solemn and binding vow, invoking the living God as witness to the truth and certainty of the speaker's declaration. Coupled with "as thy soul liveth," it emphasizes Elisha's absolute resolve, tying his own life and existence to his promise not to abandon Elijah. This oath underscores the sacredness of his commitment.

Practical Application

This verse offers timeless lessons for believers today. Elisha's actions serve as an example of:

  • Perseverance in Faith: When faced with challenges or opportunities to quit, our commitment to God's call and spiritual growth should remain steadfast.
  • Valuing Spiritual Mentorship: Just as Elisha clung to Elijah, we should value and pursue wise spiritual guidance, recognizing that God often uses others to equip us for our journey.
  • Readiness for God's Call: Elisha's journey with Elijah prepared him for a powerful ministry. Similarly, God often uses periods of waiting and testing to prepare us for the work He has for us. Our faithfulness in the small tests often precedes greater responsibilities.

The unwavering dedication shown by Elisha in 2 Kings 2:4 is a powerful reminder that profound spiritual blessings and anointing often follow persistent and loyal obedience to God's leading.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 2:2 (7 votes)

    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.

  • Joshua 6:26 (4 votes)

    And Joshua adjured [them] at that time, saying, Cursed [be] the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest [son] shall he set up the gates of it.

  • 1 Kings 16:34 (2 votes)

    In his days did Hiel the Bethelite build Jericho: he laid the foundation thereof in Abiram his firstborn, and set up the gates thereof in his youngest [son] Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Joshua the son of Nun.

  • 2 Kings 4:30 (2 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.

  • Luke 19:1 (2 votes)

    ยถ And [Jesus] entered and passed through Jericho.

  • Acts 2:42 (1 votes)

    ยถ And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

  • Acts 11:23 (1 votes)

    Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.