The Spirit of the Lord hath taken him up— From some expressions in Scripture it seems as if the Spirit of the Lord frequently used to carry the prophets through the air, and with great swiftness remove them to distant places. Obadiah speaks of it as a common thing, 1 Kings 18:12. And in the New Testament we are told of Philip, that when they were come out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught him away, that the eunuch saw him no more:—And Philip was found at Atzotus; Acts 8:39-40.
REFLECTIONS.—Elijah is gone, but Elisha remains. When God removes one light from his church, he can raise up another to supply his place.
1. Elisha with delight gathers up the mantle which fell from his departed father: he loved it since the day it was first cast over him, and not only for his sake preserved it, but, as the earnest of his petition being granted, received it with deepest thankfulness, and wore it as successor in office to the great prophet who had left it behind him. Note; (1.) Those tokens given us by our departed friends, which stir us up to imitate their virtues, are truly valuable. (2.) They who wear the livery of a prophet should read in their very clothes the obligations lying on them to discharge with diligence their weighty office.
2. Clothed now with Elijah's spirit, as well as with his mantle, he returns to the waters of Jordan, and there, in faith invoking the Lord God of Elijah, smites the waters, and they divide. Where is he? he cries; אפּאּהוא Aph-hu follows in the original. Here he is, even he, as immediately answering to the call. Note; (1.) Even while the prayer of faith is uttering, God will answer. (2.) They who walk in Elijah's spirit will find with them the presence and power of Elijah's God.
3. The sons of the prophets, who beheld the miracle, received with deep respect the returning prophet, as Elijah's appointed successor. Note; It is not material whence a man came, or what has been his education; if God endues him with eminent gifts, and eminent graces, even the sons of prophets need think it no dishonour to bow before him.