18 And when they came again to him, (for he tarried at Jericho,) he said unto them, Did I not say unto you, Go not?
18 When they returned to Elisha, who was staying in Jericho, he said to them, "Didn't I tell you not to go?"
18 And they came back to him while he was staying at Jericho, and he said to them, "Did I not say to you, 'Do not go'?"
18 Finally, they returned to Elisha in Jericho. He told them, "So there - didn't I tell you?"
18 And when they came back to him, for he had stayed in Jericho, he said to them, "Did I not say to you, 'Do not go'?"
18 Elisha was still at Jericho when they returned. "Didn't I tell you not to go?" he asked.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Kings 2:18
Commentary on 2 Kings 2:13-18
(Read 2 Kings 2:13-18)
Elijah left his mantle to Elisha; as a token of the descent of the Spirit upon him; it was more than if he had left him thousands of gold and silver. Elisha took it up, not as a sacred relic to be worshipped, but as a significant garment to be worn. Now that Elijah was taken to heaven, Elisha inquired, 1. After God; when our creature-comforts are removed, we have a God to go to, who lives for ever. 2. After the God that Elijah served, and honoured, and pleaded for. The Lord God of the holy prophets is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever; but what will it avail us to have the mantles of those that are gone, their places, their books, if we have not their spirit, their God? See Elisha's dividing the river; God's people need not fear at last passing through the Jordan of death as on dry ground. The sons of the prophets made a needless search for Elijah. Wise men may yield to that, for the sake of peace, and the good opinion of others, which yet their judgment is against, as needless and fruitless. Traversing hills and valleys will never bring us to Elijah, but following the example of his holy faith and zeal will, in due time.