2 Kings 2:1-5 - The Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven

2:1-3

We now come to Elijah’s departure, he was taken up to heaven rather than actually dying. It is also the handover to Elisha, his successor.  Elijah wants to be alone, trying to persuade Elisha to “star here”. We are not told why Elijah did not want Elisha to be with him, but Elisha is insistent that he will not leave Elijah. At Bethel he is met by the “company of prophets”, they tell Elisha  that Elijah is going to be taken away that day. Elisha replies that he knows this but does not want to hear anymore about it.

2:4,5

Elijah is now sent to Jericho and once again tries to get away from Elisha, with an equal lack of success. The prophets at Jericho meet Elisha and get the came response as the ones at Bethel.