2 Kings 2

“And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Beth-el. And Elisha said unto him…” Naming Beth and Elisha keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the sons of the prophets that were at Beth-el came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the…” Naming Jericho and Elijah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan.” The number fifty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan;” Naming Elijah and Jordan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on…” Naming Elijah and Elisha keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they said unto him, Behold now, there be with thy servants fifty strong men; let them go, we pray thee, and seek…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days…” The number fifty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And when they came again to him, (for he tarried at Jericho,) he said unto them, Did I not say unto you, Go not?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord…” Naming Elisha keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they brought it to him.” Naming Bring keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the LORD , I have…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And he went up from thence unto Beth-el: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of…” Naming Beth keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD . And there came forth two she bears…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And he went from thence to mount Carmel, and from thence he returned to Samaria.” Naming Carmel and Samaria keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.