Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 2
It was the custom for people to tear their clothes after the death of a close relative. In that way, they expressed how deeply sad they felt.
Elisha too tore his clothes when God took Elijah away from him. Since Elisha left his parents to serve God (1 Kings 19:20), he had considered Elijah to be like his own father (2:12). So, he remained with Elijah constantly. He learnt from Elijah and he obeyed Elijah completely.
Elijah, of course, had not died, but God had separated the two men. However, Elisha had another reason to tear his clothes (2:12).
Originally, as a farm worker, Elisha would have worn simple, practical clothes. After that, people knew Elisha as the servant of Elijah (3:11). A servant would wear much the same clothes as a farm worker.
However, now Elisha had become one of Israel’s prophets, its holy men. The prophets wore the poorest and roughest clothes, which people made out of animals’ hair (2 Kings 1:8; Mark 1:6). It was the same kind of material that people used to make sacks. Those clothes were not pleasant or comfortable; the prophets wore them as part of their message. They were telling the people not to desire comfort, but to be deeply sorry for their evil deeds. The nation had neglected its relationship with God; the people needed to turn back to God.
As Elijah rose into heaven, he did not still need his rough, poor coat (in other words, his cloak). So, it fell to the ground. This was the same coat that Elijah used to divide the waters of the river, by God’s power (2:8). Elisha picked it up, and he wore it. Now Elisha would be God’s prophet in Israel.
Next part: Elisha separates the waters of the river Jordan (2 Kings 2:14-15)
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