Back to all lyrics
Artwork for The Chariot of Fire

2 Kings 2

The Chariot of Fire

Lyrics · 2 Kings

The Chariot of Fire

2 Kings 2

Lyrics

Now playing

The Chariot of Fire

2 Kings 2

Playing next

  1. Lyrics and song details
  2. Lyrics and song details
  3. Lyrics and song details
  4. Lyrics and song details
  5. Lyrics and song details
  6. Lyrics and song details
  7. Lyrics and song details
  8. Lyrics and song details

About this song

About this song

This song belongs to the 2 Kings collection. 8 recordings are available to play here, with the complete lyrics below.

Bible book
2 Kings
Collection
2 Kings
[Journey Verse] Gilgal to Bethel, then Jericho road, Elisha stayed close though Elijah forbade: "As the Lord liveth, I will not leave thee." The sons of the prophets knew sorrow ahead. Fifty stood watching beside Jordan's border; Elijah struck water with mantle in hand. The river divided; the two crossed together, Walking on dry ground away from the land. [Dialogue Refrain] "What shall be done before I am taken?" "A double portion of spirit," he said. "A hard thing is asked; if thine eyes still behold me, The gift shall rest where the master has led." [Chorus] The chariot of fire, The horses of flame, Whirlwind between them, Heavenward came. "My father, my father," Elisha cried sore; The chariot of Israel Was visible no more. [Verse 2] The mantle fell downward; Elisha received it, Turned to the Jordan and struck at the tide: "Where is the Lord God of Elijah?" The waters divided from side unto side. The prophets bowed, knowing the spirit had rested; A servant stood ready where one had ascended. [Final Chorus] The chariot of fire Carried the prophet from view. The mantle remained for the work yet to do.

Named in this songGilgalBethelJerichoElishaElijahJordanChariot of fire

About the passage

2 Kings 2: The mantle falls, and the work continues

Elijah's departure begins as a journey Elisha refuses to abandon. At Gilgal, Bethel, and Jericho he is invited to stay behind, yet he follows to the Jordan, crosses on dry ground, and asks for the double portion associated with an heir. The fiery chariot separates the men, but Elijah goes up by the whirlwind, leaving Elisha grieving and the mantle behind. What follows is not a costume change mistaken for succession. The Jordan divides again when Elisha appeals to the LORD God of Elijah, and the sons of the prophets recognize that Elijah's spirit rests on him. Their three-day search for the departed prophet finds nothing. Elisha's first public acts then pull the extraordinary into ordinary life: Jericho's dangerous water is healed at its source, while the severe episode at Bethel shows that the authority now resting on Elisha cannot be reduced to a harmless badge of office.

Study 2 Kings 2 in depth