What did Elisha really want (2:9)?
Undoubtedly Elisha did not ask this simply for the privilege of being Elijah s successor in terms of the Deuteronomic legislation concerning the eldest son s inheritance (Deuteronomy 21:17), for such both he and Elijah knew him to be (cf. 1 Kings 19:1621). Nor was this simply to give some confirmatory sign for Elisha s appearance, for this is scarcely a difficult thing. Rather, the enormity of the loss of Elijah, that Spirit-filled and empowered prophet, must have so gripped the humble Elisha that, claiming his position as firstborn, he asked for the firstborn s double portion i.e., for especially granted spiritual power far beyond his own capabilities to meet the responsibilities of the awesome task that lay before him. He wished, virtually, that Elijah s mighty prowess might continue to live through him. NIV Bible Commentary How could a man of God curse people for such a mild personal offense (2 Kings 2:2324)? A careful study of this incident in context shows that it was far more ser
