2 Kings 6:21

When the messengers return and describe the man who met them, Ahaziah immediately identifies him as Elijah the Tishbite. The king then sends a captain with fifty men to arrest the prophet. The captain finds Elijah sitting on a hill and arrogantly commands him, “Thou man of God, the king hath said, Come down.” Elijah replies, “If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty.” Fire comes down and consumes them. The king sends a second captain and his fifty men, who meet the same fiery end. The third captain, however, approaches Elijah with humility, falls on his knees, and begs for his life and the lives of his men to be spared. The angel of the Lord then tells Elijah to go with this man and not be afraid. Elijah goes to the king and delivers the prophecy of death to his face. Ahaziah dies according to the Lord’s word, and because he has no son, his brother Jehoram succeeds him as king of Israel. 2 Kings 2: Elijah’s Ascension and Elisha’s Succession This chapter records the dramatic transition of prophetic leadership from Elijah to his disciple, Elisha. The time comes for the Lord to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind. As they travel together, Elijah repeatedly tries to get Elisha to stay behind, but Elisha refuses, vowing three times, “As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee.” At the Jordan River, Elijah takes his mantle, rolls it up, and strikes the water. The water parts, and the two men cross over on dry ground.