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2 Kings 2:18 When they returned to Elisha, who was staying in Jericho, he said to them, "Didn't I tell you not to go?"
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and he said to them, “Did I not say to you, ‘Do not go’?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_kings/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />They returned to him while he was staying at Jericho; and he said to them, “Did I not say to you, ‘Do not go ‘?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_kings/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And they returned to him while he was staying at Jericho; and he said to them, “Did I not say to you, ‘Do not go’?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_kings/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So they returned to him while he was staying at Jericho; and he said to them, “Did I not say to you, ‘Do not go’?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_kings/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />They returned to Elisha while he was staying at Jericho; and he said to them, “Did I not tell you, ‘Do not go’?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_kings/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When they returned to him in Jericho where he was staying, he said to them, “Didn’t I tell you not to go? ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_kings/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When they returned to him in Jericho where he was staying, he said to them, “Didn’t I tell you not to go?” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_kings/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And they came back to him, while he tarried at Jericho; and he said unto them, Did I not say unto you, Go not?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/2_kings/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />They returned to Jericho, and Elisha said, "I told you that you wouldn't find him." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_kings/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And they came back to him, while he tarried at Jericho; and he said unto them, Did I not say unto you, Go not?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_kings/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They returned to Elisha in Jericho, where he was waiting. He said, "Didn't I tell you not to go?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_kings/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Then they returned to Elisha, who had waited at Jericho, and he said to them, "Didn't I tell you not to go?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_kings/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />By the time they returned, Elisha was living in Jericho. Then Elisha asked them, "Didn't I tell you not to go?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_kings/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />When they returned to Elisha, who was staying in Jericho, he said to them, ?Didn?t I tell you not to go??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_kings/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />When they came back, Elisha was staying in Jericho. He said to them, "Didn't I tell you, 'Don't go'?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_kings/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They came back to him, while he stayed at Jericho; and he said to them, "Did I not tell you not to go?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_kings/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And when they came again to him, (for he tarried at Jericho,) he said to them, Did I not say to you, Go not?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_kings/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They came back to him while he stayed at Jericho; and he said to them, “Didn’t I tell you, ‘Don’t go?’” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/2_kings/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and they return to him—and he is abiding in Jericho—and he says to them, “Did I not say to you, Do not go?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_kings/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and they turn back unto him -- and he is abiding in Jericho -- and he saith unto them, 'Did I not say unto you, Do not go?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_kings/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they will turn back to him, and he sitting in Jericho; and he will say to them, Did I not say to you, Ye shall not send?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/2_kings/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And they came back to him: for he abode at Jericho, and he said to them: Did I not say to you: Do not send? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_kings/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And they returned to him, for he was living in Jericho. And he said to them: “Did I not say to you, ‘Do not send them?’ ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_kings/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />When they returned to Elisha in Jericho, where he was staying, he said to them, “Did I not tell you not to go?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />When they came back to him (he had remained at Jericho), he said to them, “Did I not say to you, Do not go?”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And when they came back to him (while he tarried at Jericho), he said to them, Did I not say to you, Do not go?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/2_kings/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they came to him, and he dwelt in Jericho, and he said to them: “Did I not tell you that you should not go?”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/2_kings/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And they came back to him, while he tarried at Jericho; and he said unto them: 'Did I not say unto you: Go not?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_kings/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And they returned to him, for he dwelt in Jericho: and Elisaie said, Did I not say to you, Go not?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_kings/2-18.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FiLs3w_mMFQ?start=504" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/2_kings/2.htm">Elisha Succeeds Elijah</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">17</span>But when they pressed him to the point of embarrassment, he said, “Send them.” And they sent fifty men, who searched for three days but did not find Elijah. <span class="reftext">18</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: way·yā·šu·ḇū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">When they returned</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- To, into, towards. ">to Elisha,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: wə·hū (Conj-w:: Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">who</a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: yō·šêḇ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">was staying</a> <a href="/hebrew/3405.htm" title="3405: bî·rî·ḥōw (Prep-b:: N-proper-fs) -- Or Yrechow; or variation Yriychoh; perhaps from yareach; its month; or else from ruwach; fragrant; Jericho or Jerecho, a place in Palestine.">in Jericho,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">he said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ă·lê·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- To, into, towards. ">to them,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: hă·lō·w- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">“Didn’t</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">I tell</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ă·lê·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- To, into, towards. ">you</a> <a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: ’al- (Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">not</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: tê·lê·ḵū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">to go?”</a> </span><div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/1-16.htm">2 Kings 1:16</a></span><br />And Elijah said to King Ahaziah, “This is what the LORD says: Is there really no God in Israel for you to inquire of His word? Is that why you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore you will not get up from the bed on which you are lying. You will surely die.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/22-28.htm">1 Kings 22:28</a></span><br />But Micaiah replied, “If you ever return safely, the LORD has not spoken through me.” Then he added, “Take heed, all you people!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/3-13.htm">2 Kings 3:13</a></span><br />Elisha, however, said to the king of Israel, “What have we to do with each other? Go to the prophets of your father and of your mother!” “No,” replied the king of Israel, “for it is the LORD who has summoned these three kings to deliver them into the hand of Moab.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/6-32.htm">2 Kings 6:32</a></span><br />Now Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. The king sent a messenger ahead, but before he arrived, Elisha said to the elders, “Do you see how this murderer has sent someone to cut off my head? Look, when the messenger comes, shut the door to keep him out. Is not the sound of his master’s footsteps behind him?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/7-2.htm">2 Kings 7:2</a></span><br />But the officer on whose arm the king leaned answered the man of God, “Look, even if the LORD were to make windows in heaven, could this really happen?” “You will see it with your own eyes,” replied Elisha, “but you will not eat any of it.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/7-19.htm">2 Kings 7:19</a></span><br />And the officer had answered the man of God, “Look, even if the LORD were to make windows in heaven, could this really happen?” So Elisha had replied, “You will see it with your own eyes, but you will not eat any of it!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/8-10.htm">2 Kings 8:10-13</a></span><br />Elisha answered, “Go and tell him, ‘You will surely recover.’ But the LORD has shown me that in fact he will die.” / Elisha fixed his gaze steadily on him until Hazael became uncomfortable. Then the man of God began to weep. / “Why is my lord weeping?” asked Hazael. “Because I know the evil you will do to the Israelites,” Elisha replied. “You will set fire to their fortresses, kill their young men with the sword, dash their little ones to pieces, and rip open their pregnant women.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/9-36.htm">2 Kings 9:36-37</a></span><br />So they went back and told Jehu, who replied, “This is the word of the LORD, which He spoke through His servant Elijah the Tishbite: ‘On the plot of ground at Jezreel the dogs will devour the flesh of Jezebel. / And Jezebel’s body will lie like dung in the field on the plot of ground at Jezreel, so that no one can say: This is Jezebel.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/10-10.htm">2 Kings 10:10</a></span><br />Know, then, that not a word the LORD has spoken against the house of Ahab will fail, for the LORD has done what He promised through His servant Elijah.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/13-19.htm">2 Kings 13:19</a></span><br />But the man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck the ground five or six times. Then you would have struck down Aram until you had put an end to it. But now you will strike down Aram only three times.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/20-19.htm">2 Kings 20:19</a></span><br />But Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the LORD that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “Will there not at least be peace and security in my lifetime?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/17-17.htm">Matthew 17:17</a></span><br />“O unbelieving and perverse generation!” Jesus replied. “How long must I remain with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to Me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/24-25.htm">Luke 24:25</a></span><br />Then Jesus said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/20-27.htm">John 20:27</a></span><br />Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-41.htm">Acts 13:41</a></span><br />‘Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish! For I am doing a work in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.’”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And when they came again to him, (for he tarried at Jericho,) he said to them, Did I not say to you, Go not?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_kings/17-19.htm">Abiding</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-15.htm">Elisha</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-15.htm">Jericho</a> <a href="/1_kings/17-20.htm">Staying</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-5.htm">Tarried</a> <a href="/2_kings/1-6.htm">Turn</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_chronicles/29-15.htm">Abiding</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-19.htm">Elisha</a> <a href="/2_kings/25-5.htm">Jericho</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-11.htm">Staying</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/20-1.htm">Tarried</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-3.htm">Turn</a><div class="vheading2">2 Kings 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/2-1.htm">Elijah, taking his leave of Elisha, with his mantle divides Jordan</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/2-9.htm">and, granting Elisha his request, is taken up by a fiery chariot into heaven</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/2-12.htm">Elisha, dividing Jordan with Elijah's mantle, is acknowledged his successor</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/2-16.htm">The young prophets, hardly obtaining leave to seek Elijah, cannot find him.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/2-19.htm">Elisha with salt heals the unwholesome waters</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/2-23.htm">Bears destroy the children that mocked Elisha</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_kings/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_kings/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_kings/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>When they returned to Elisha</b><br>This phrase refers to the group of prophets who had gone searching for Elijah after his ascension into heaven. Elisha, now the primary prophet in Israel, had instructed them not to search, but they insisted. This reflects a common theme in Scripture where God's word through His prophets is often doubted or questioned. The return to Elisha signifies the acknowledgment of his authority and the fulfillment of his prophetic word.<p><b>who was staying in Jericho</b><br>Jericho, known as the "City of Palms," is significant in biblical history as the first city conquered by the Israelites under Joshua. It symbolizes new beginnings and divine intervention. Elisha's presence in Jericho may indicate a continuation of God's work and blessing in the land. Jericho's location near the Jordan River also connects to the earlier miraculous crossing by Elijah and Elisha, emphasizing the continuity of God's power and presence.<p><b>he said to them</b><br>Elisha's role as a prophet is underscored here. His words carry the authority of God, and his communication with the sons of the prophets is a teaching moment. Prophets in the Old Testament often served as God's mouthpiece, providing guidance, correction, and revelation to the people.<p><b>“Didn’t I tell you not to go?”</b><br>This rhetorical question highlights Elisha's earlier warning and the futility of the search for Elijah. It serves as a reminder of the importance of faith and obedience to God's word. The phrase also reflects a common biblical theme where human understanding is limited, and trust in God's revelation is paramount. This moment can be seen as a test of faith for the sons of the prophets, illustrating the need to rely on divine wisdom rather than human effort.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/elisha.htm">Elisha</a></b><br>The prophet of God who succeeded Elijah. He is the central figure in this passage, demonstrating his prophetic authority and wisdom.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_sons_of_the_prophets.htm">The Sons of the Prophets</a></b><br>A group of prophetic disciples who were learning under Elisha. They doubted Elisha's word and went searching for Elijah.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jericho.htm">Jericho</a></b><br>The city where Elisha was staying. It is significant as a place of transition and new beginnings in the biblical account.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_search_for_elijah.htm">The Search for Elijah</a></b><br>The event where the sons of the prophets went to search for Elijah, despite Elisha's assurance that it was unnecessary.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_faith_in_god's_word.htm">The Importance of Faith in God's Word</a></b><br>Elisha's response to the sons of the prophets highlights the necessity of trusting in God's revelation and the words of His prophets. Doubt can lead to unnecessary actions and wasted efforts.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_spiritual_leadership.htm">The Role of Spiritual Leadership</a></b><br>Elisha's leadership is affirmed through his accurate prophecy and guidance. Spiritual leaders are called to guide with wisdom and authority, rooted in God's truth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/learning_from_mistakes.htm">Learning from Mistakes</a></b><br>The sons of the prophets' insistence on searching for Elijah, despite Elisha's counsel, serves as a reminder to learn from our mistakes and heed wise counsel in the future.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_plan.htm">God's Sovereignty and Plan</a></b><br>The event underscores God's control over His servants and His plans. Elijah's departure was part of God's divine plan, and Elisha's role was to continue the prophetic ministry.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_kings_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 2</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_sennacherib's_invasion_match_records.htm">2 Kings 18:13 - Does the timeline of Sennacherib's invasion align with known Assyrian records?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_verify_hezekiah's_unique_devotion.htm">2 Kings 18:5-6 - How can we verify Hezekiah's unprecedented devotion when other kings are also praised elsewhere?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_of_nehushtan's_existence.htm">2 Kings 18:4 - Is there any archaeological or historical evidence that the Nehushtan ever existed?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_are_2_chr_18_and_1_kgs_22_inerrant.htm">Comparing 2 Chronicles 18 with 1 Kings 22, how can both accounts be inerrant if they present varying details about the same event?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_kings/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(18) <span class= "bld">For he tarried.</span>--<span class= "ital">Now he</span> (emphatic) <span class= "ital">was abiding in Jericho</span> (while they were searching).<p><span class= "bld">Did I not say.</span>--Or, command. Elisha could now fairly remind them of his authority. So the phrase "Go not" is, in the Hebrew, imperative. (Comp. "Ye shall not send," <a href="/2_kings/2-16.htm" title="And they said to him, Behold now, there be with your servants fifty strong men; let them go, we pray you, and seek your master: lest peradventure the Spirit of the LORD has taken him up, and cast him on some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, You shall not send.">2Kings 2:16</a>.) With these words, the history of Elijah significantly closes. "Elias resembled Moses in courage and eloquence, and no other prophet was his equal. But when he withdrew from the world, that Providence which guided the destinies of Israel did not, therefore, forsake His people. A portion of Elijah's spirit passed to his disciples; and they are forbidden to seek their departed master in the desert: they must find among themselves the means of carrying on his work" (<span class= "ital">Reuss</span>).<p>Thenius considers the entire section (<a href="/2_kings/1-2.htm" title="And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said to them, Go, inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease.">2Kings 1:2</a> to <a href="/2_kings/2-18.htm" title="And when they came again to him, (for he tarried at Jericho,) he said to them, Did I not say to you, Go not?">2Kings 2:18</a>) to be a distinct fragment of a lost history of Elijah. Its contents, he says, betray the same<span class= "ital"> poetical </span>(?) spirit as 1 Kings 17-19.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 18.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And when they came again to him, (for he tarried at Jericho,) he said unto them, Did I not say unto you, Go not?</span> The prophet was not above vindicating the propriety of his past conduct. He waited at Jericho until the fifty men returned from their vain search, and then reminded them that his advice to them had been not to start on a useless errand. The ministers of <span class="accented">God have to</span> vindicate themselves, because God's honor is concerned in their being without reproach. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_kings/2-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">When they returned</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּשֻׁ֣בוּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·šu·ḇū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to [Elisha],</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵלָ֔יו</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·lāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who</span><br /><span class="heb">וְה֖וּא</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was staying</span><br /><span class="heb">יֹשֵׁ֣ב</span> <span class="translit">(yō·šêḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in Jericho,</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּירִיח֑וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(bî·rî·ḥōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3405.htm">Strong's 3405: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jericho -- a city in the Jordan Valley captured by Joshua</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he said</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֣אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to them,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲלֵהֶ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·lê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Didn't</span><br /><span class="heb">הֲלֽוֹא־</span> <span class="translit">(hă·lō·w-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I tell</span><br /><span class="heb">אָמַ֥רְתִּי</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·mar·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲלֵיכֶ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·lê·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">not</span><br /><span class="heb">אַל־</span> <span class="translit">(’al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to go?”</span><br /><span class="heb">תֵּלֵֽכוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(tê·lê·ḵū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/2-18.htm">2 Kings 2:18 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_kings/2-18.htm">2 Kings 2:18 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_kings/2-18.htm">2 Kings 2:18 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_kings/2-18.htm">2 Kings 2:18 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_kings/2-18.htm">2 Kings 2:18 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/2-18.htm">2 Kings 2:18 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/2-18.htm">2 Kings 2:18 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/2-18.htm">2 Kings 2:18 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/2-18.htm">2 Kings 2:18 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_kings/2-18.htm">2 Kings 2:18 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_kings/2-18.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 2:18 They came back to him while he (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/2-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 2:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 2:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/2-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 2:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 2:19" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>