2 Kings 2

Answer. To speak properly, God has no right hand or left, for being a Spirit, he is void of all bodily parts; but it is a borrowed speech, a metaphor taken from the manner of kings, who were used to advance their favorites next to their own persons, and set them at their right h…

The best way is, to put in practice their faith in God; by humbling themselves truly for their sins past, with unfeigned confession of them unto God, praying withal earnestly for the pardon of them; and for God's aid, assistance, and protection against their enemies. The power o…

Samuel, when he was judge of Israel, erected colleges of prophets and ruled them himself (1 Samuel 10). In the decayed estate of the ten tribes, Elijah and Elisha set up schools of the prophets in Bethel, Carmel, etc., and the young students were called the sons of the prophets…

The children of Bethel mock Elisha: first, for his person, calling him bald pate: secondly, for the favor of God showed upon Elijah his master, in saying, Ascend, bald pate: that is, ascend not to Bethel, but ascend to heaven as Elijah did. And this profane scorning he cursed in…

This ought to be a caveat to us, to take heed how we contemn or neglect the ministers of God, seeing whatever wrong is done them, Christ takes it as done to himself (Matthew 25:45; Acts 9:4). This lets us see the heinous sins of many that profess the Gospel, especially in this k…

3. By remarkable Deliverances and Mercies; So it was with Naaman the Syrian, 2 Kings 2. 15, 16, 17. Sudden changes from great Dangers and Distresses by unexpected Reliefs, deeply affect the Minds of Men, convincing them of the Power, Presence, and Goodness of God.

Afterwards we read of their being under Elijah. Elisha was one of his sons; but he desired to have a double portion of his spirit, as his successor, as his firstborn, as the eldest son was wont to have a double portion of the estate of his father; and therefore the sons of the p…

But besides, they are especially such as have been brought up superstitiously or prophanely; such as have been bred in superstitious Popish families, are many times bitter scorners and reproachers of those who are most forward in the ways of godliness. We read 2 Kings 2:23 when…

Sometimes a man out of an ignorant custom or neglect holds forth more evil in his words, than he either conceives or attends in his own apprehension, this is usual among children conversing with naughty and lewd company, they speak the evil words they hear frequently with their…

And therefore [illegible] little ones that are growing up to years of understanding, you have the day before you, if you do not take and improve the first of your time, to repent and turn to God in, God will require it of you, believe it he will. You may read in 2 Kings 2:23-24…

And concerning Elijah, the same reverend author has this passage: It is evident, that he was taken up alive, but not that he continues alive. And again, because we read expressly, that he was taken up into heaven (2 Kings 2:11), it is certain, says he, that his body was not carr…

Scorning is the sporting of a man's self, with another man's contempt and disgrace; it is not merely speaking disparagingly, but it is such an injury, as makes itself sport with the disgrace and misery of another. So the children scorned the Prophet, for in their eyes his baldne…