Said. — Not spake, as throughout the account in 2 Kings 1:2-16; a mark of different origin.
Tarry here, I pray thee. — This was said, not to test Elisha’s affection, nor from a motive of humility, that Elisha might not witness his glorious ascension, but because Elijah was uncertain whether it was God’s will that Elisha should go with him. (Comp. 2 Kings 2:10.) Elisha’s threefold refusal to leave him settled the doubt. (Comp. John 21:15, seq.)
The Lord hath sent me to Beth-el. — Why? Not merely to “see once more this holiest place in Israel, the spiritual centre of the kingdom of the ten tribes” (Ewald), but to visit the prophetic schools, or guilds, established there, and at Gilgal and Jericho, and to confirm their fidelity to Jehovah. Gilgal and Beth-el, as ancient Canaanite sanctuaries, were centres of illegal worship of the God of Israel. The guilds of the prophets may have been intended to counteract this evil influence at its head-quarters (Bähr).
As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth. — 2 Kings 4:30; 1 Samuel 20:3. A more solemn and emphatic oath than “As the Lord liveth” (Judges 8:19), or “As thy soul liveth” (1 Samuel 1:26). Literally, By the life of Jehovah and by the life of thy soul (i.e., of thyself, thine own life).
They went down. — From Gilgal. The phrase proves that the Gilgal between the Jordan and Jericho cannot be meant in 2 Kings 2:1. (See Joshua 4:19; Joshua 5:10.)