The Double Portion

The Story

Elijah’s time on earth was coming to an end, and everyone seemed to know it. As Elijah and his young helper Elisha walked from town to town, groups of prophets came out to tell Elisha, “Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day?”

“Yea, I know it,” Elisha said. “Hold ye your peace.”

Three times Elijah told Elisha to stay behind. Three times Elisha refused. “As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee.”

At the Jordan River, Elijah rolled up his cloak and struck the water. The river parted, and the two men crossed on dry ground.

Then Elijah asked, what can I do for you before I’m taken from you?

Elisha asked for something bold. “Let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.”

“Thou hast asked a hard thing,” Elijah said. But if you see me when I’m taken, it will be yours.

As they walked and talked, a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated them, and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha saw it and cried out, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.”

Elisha picked up Elijah’s fallen cloak and walked back to the Jordan. He struck the water and asked, “Where is the LORD God of Elijah?” The river parted. And the watching prophets said, “The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha.”

Reflection