2 Kings – Chapter 2

Old Testament25 Verses

Chapter Summary

"And it came to pass, when the Lord would take up Elias, into heaven, by a whirlwind, that Elias and Eliseus were going from Galgal." — so begins 2 Kings 2. The chapter centers on Elisha and Elijah. Across its 25 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and healing. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1And it came to pass, when the Lord would take up Elias, into heaven, by a whirlwind, that Elias and Eliseus were going from Galgal.

2And Elias said to Eliseus: Stay thou here, because the Lord hath sent me as far as Bethel. And Eliseus said to him: As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And when they were come down to Bethel,

3The sons of the prophets, that were at Bethel, came forth to Eliseus, and said to him: Dost thou know that, this day, the Lord will take away thy master from thee? And he answered: I also know it: hold your peace.

4And Elias said to Eliseus: Stay here, because the Lord hath sent me to Jericho. And he said: As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And when they were come to Jericho,

5The sons of the prophets, that were at Jericho, came to Eliseus, and said to him: Dost thou know that, this day, the Lord will take away thy master from thee? And he said: I also know it: hold your peace.

6And Elias said to him: Stay here, because the Lord hath sent me as far as the Jordan. And he said: as the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on together.

7And fifty men, of the sons of the prophets, followed them, and stood in sight, at a distance: but they two stood by the Jordan.

8And Elias took his mantle, and folded it together, and struck the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, and they both passed over on dry ground.

9And when they were gone over, Elias said to Eliseus: Ask what thou wilt have me to do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Eliseus said: I beseech thee, that in me may be thy double spirit.

10And he answered: Thou hast asked a hard thing; nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, thou shalt have what thou hast asked: but if thou see me not, thou shalt not have it.

11And as they went on, walking and talking together, behold, a fiery chariot and fiery horses parted them both asunder: and Elias went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

12And Eliseus saw him, and cried: My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the driver thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own garments, and rent them in two pieces.

13And he took up the mantle of Elias, that fell from him: and going back, he stood on the bank of the Jordan;

14And he struck the waters with the mantle of Elias, that had fallen from him, and they were not divided. And he said: Where is now the God of Elias? And he struck the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, and Eliseus passed over.

15And the sons of the prophets, at Jericho, who were over against him, seeing it, said: The spirit of Elias hath rested upon Eliseus. And coming to meet him, they worshipped him, falling to the ground.

16And they said to him: Behold, there are with thy servants, fifty strong men, that can go, and seek thy master, lest, perhaps, the spirit of the Lord, hath taken him up and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And he said: Do not send.

17But they pressed him, till he consented, and said: Send. And they sent fifty men: and they sought three days, but found him not.

18And they came back to him: for he abode at Jericho, and he said to them: Did I not say to you? Do not send.

19And the men of the city, said to Eliseus . Behold the situation of this city is very good, as thou, my lord, seest: but the waters are very bad, and the ground barren.

20And he said: Bring me a new vessel, and put salt into it. And when they had brought it,

21He went out to the spring of the waters, and cast the salt into it, and said: Thus saith the Lord: I have healed these waters, and there shall be no more in them death or barrenness.

22And the waters were healed unto this day, according to the word of Eliseus, which he spoke.

23And he went up from thence to Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, little boys came out of the city and mocked him, saying: Go up, thou bald head, go up, thou bald head.

24And looking back, he saw them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord: and there came forth two bears out of the forest, and tore of them, two and forty boys.

25And from thence he went to mount Carmel, and from thence he returned to Samaria.

Important Verses in 2 Kings 2

And it came to pass, when the Lord would take up Elias, into heaven, by a whirlwind, that Elias and Eliseus were going from Galgal.

2 Kings 2:1

And Elias said to Eliseus: Stay here, because the Lord hath sent me to Jericho. And he said: As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And when they were come to Jericho,

2 Kings 2:4

And he answered: Thou hast asked a hard thing; nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, thou shalt have what thou hast asked: but if thou see me not, thou shalt not have it.

2 Kings 2:10

He went out to the spring of the waters, and cast the salt into it, and said: Thus saith the Lord: I have healed these waters, and there shall be no more in them death or barrenness.

2 Kings 2:21

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, 2 Kings was written with the exiles in Babylon, called to repentance and hope in view. Chapter 2 of 25 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a prophetic oracle addressed to Israel in a moment of covenant crisis or renewal with 25 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Historical attention falls on Elisha and Elijah, the principal figures named in this chapter. The passage starts with these words: "And it came to pass, when the Lord would take up Elias, into heaven, by a whirlwind, that Elias and Eliseus were going…" It concludes: "And from thence he went to mount Carmel, and from thence he returned to Samaria. " Read against its original backdrop, Second Kings continues from Elijah's fiery departure and Elisha's ministry to the destruction of both kingdoms: Israel fell to Assyria in 722 BC and Judah to Babylon in 587 BC, when the Temple was burned. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of 2 Kings around Events from about 850 to 560 BC; final form during the Babylonian exile.

Who Wrote It

Unknown; compiled by prophetic circles, traditionally linked to Jeremiah

When It Was Written

Events from about 850 to 560 BC; final form during the Babylonian exile

Catholic Commentary

The prophetic discourse in this chapter speaks to a community facing the consequences of its choices before God. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And it came to pass, when the Lord would take up Elias, into heaven, by a whirlwind, that Elias and Eliseus were going from Galgal." The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of prophets, kings, and exile. the prophets prepared for Christ and called Israel to repentance (CIC 64, 522). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 1431).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • Christ is the Divine Physician who heals both body and soul.
  • The Holy Spirit is the giver of life who animates creation, the prophets, and the Church.

People in This Chapter

Elisha13 mentionsElijah12 mentions

Reflection for Today

In 2 Kings Chapter 2, the Church invites us to listen attentively to God's Word within the broader narrative of prophets, kings, and exile.

The Second Vatican Council reminded the faithful that Scripture should permeate Catholic spirituality (Dei Verbum, 21-26). 2 Kings Chapter 2 supports that call by drawing attention to redemptive suffering united to the Cross within the wider message that God sends prophets to call His people back.

Entrust your meditation to Mary, who pondered God's Word in her heart. Through her intercession, may the message of redemptive suffering united to the Cross bear fruit in humility, courage, and charity this day.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 2 Kings Chapter 2 about?

2 Kings 2 contains 25 verses. It opens with "And it came to pass, when the Lord would take up Elias, into heaven, by a whirlwind, that Elias and Eliseus were going…" and closes with "And from thence he went to mount Carmel, and from thence he returned to Samaria. ". The book as a whole is historical narrative with prophetic accounts.

What is a key verse in 2 Kings 2?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And it came to pass, when the Lord would take up Elias, into heaven, by a whirlwind, that Elias and Eliseus were going from Galgal." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in 2 Kings Chapter 2?

This chapter mentions Elisha, Elijah.

Who wrote 2 Kings and when?

Unknown; compiled by prophetic circles, traditionally linked to Jeremiah. Events from about 850 to 560 BC; final form during the Babylonian exile.

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