Nevertheless, the text does not make clear the relationship of Elijah and Elisha to these “sons of the prophets” except that they are all prophets.Ĥ.

It may be that they consider him also their master.ģ. At Bethel and Jericho the sons of the prophets describe Elijah as Elisha’s “master.”Ģ. Elijah would appear to be leader of these groups and visiting each to transfer his leadership to Elisha.ġ. It would seem apparent that these sons of the prophets would carry on the work of communicating God’s message to the people in their various localities.ī. The Hebrew term occurs eleven times, all during the period of Elijah and Elisha and only in the books of 1 and 2 Kings.Ĥ. This is not a reference to being a physical descendent of a prophet, but to being a member of a prophetic order or a group of prophets.ģ. At Gilgal, Bethel and Jericho there were “sons of the prophets” (4:38 2:3, 5).Ģ. Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal, to Bethel, to Jericho and to the Jordan.ġ. But before we do that let’s give consideration to what the text actually says.ĭiscussion: I. While we may be puzzled by these questions there are a number of very practical things to be observed from this text. What is the motive for the journey to Gilgal, Bethel, Jericho and the Jordan? It is not made explicit in the text.ģ. Why does Elijah, in the course of the journey repeatedly try to leave Elisha behind? We are not told.ī. The account leaves us asking some questions.Ī. Second Kings 2 describes the transition of prophetic leadership from Elijah to Elisha.Ģ. N/A Series: Studies in Second Kings Introduction:ġ. The Transfer of Prophetic Leadership to Elisha (2 Kings 2:1-3)

Bible study on elijah and elisah