Our minds are relieved from the relation of such awful characters as we have lately been looking to, in the history of Jehoahaz and Joash, in the very mention of the name of Elisha, the man of God. And though we are now arrived to the period of his death in the history, yet, precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. We are not told how old the prophet was, but we may pretty nearly gather the account, from the time in which he became a prophet to the time of his death. If the Reader looks back to the call of Elisha, he will discover that from the entrance on his prophetical office, which was when anointed by Elijah as his successor, (see 1 Kings 19:16) to this period, was little short of 66 years. So that however young he then was, his ministry proves him to have died tolerably aged. Indeed many years seem to have passed in retirement, towards the close of his life, for we have no account of him since his anointing Jehu king. The visit of Joash, and the lamentation he made over the prophet in the prospect of his death, is striking. He used the same words as Elisha himself had done on the departure of Elijah. As if he had said; now thou art departing, all the praying strength of Israel is departing with thee. Oh! how blessed is it to be thus in truth esteemed. Gracious, praying souls among God's people are the salt of the earth, to preserve it from general putrefaction! They are the lights of the world, to prevent total darkness. Lord! I would take occasion to say, from this scene in the dying chamber of Elisha, Lord, raise up more Elishas, more faithful servants of our God, to stem the torrent of general corruption.
Related Commentaries of 2 Kings 13:14
2 Kings 13:14
14 Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.