Elijah Taken to Heaven
In a whirlwind with chariots of fire, Elijah is taken up to heaven without dying. His successor Elisha receives a double portion of his spirit.
2 Kings 2:1-14
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The Story
When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, 'Stay here; the Lord has sent me to Bethel.'
But Elisha said, 'As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.' So they went down to Bethel.
The company of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha. 'Do you know that the Lord is going to take your master from you today?'
'Yes, I know,' Elisha replied. 'So be quiet.'
Again Elijah tried to send Elisha away at Jericho. Again Elisha refused to leave. Fifty men from the company of prophets followed at a distance as they walked to the Jordan River.
Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up, and struck the water. The water divided to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground.
When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, 'Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?'
'Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,' Elisha replied. This was not greed but the inheritance of the firstborn son, the one who carries on the father's work.
'You have asked a difficult thing,' Elijah said. 'Yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours. Otherwise, it will not.'
As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.
Elisha saw this and cried out, 'My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!' And Elisha saw him no more. He took hold of his garment and tore it in two.
Elisha then picked up Elijah's cloak that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. He struck the water with the cloak. 'Where now is the Lord, the God of Elijah?' he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over.
The company of prophets from Jericho were watching. 'The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha,' they said. And they came to meet him and bowed to the ground before him.
Elijah never died. He was taken directly into God's presence. And the one who followed faithfully received what he asked for—the power to continue the work.
Elijah Rides to Heaven
Kids Version
Elijah had been serving God for a long time. Now it was almost time for him to go to heaven. His helper Elisha knew it was coming.
'You should stay here,' Elijah said to Elisha.
'No way!' said Elisha. 'I'm staying with you!'
They walked together. Other people who loved God came to Elisha and whispered, 'You know Elijah is leaving today, right?'
'I know,' said Elisha. 'Shh!'
Elijah kept trying to send Elisha home. But Elisha wouldn't leave. He loved Elijah and wanted to be with him until the very end.
They came to a river. Elijah rolled up his coat and hit the water—SPLASH! The water split in two and they walked across on dry ground!
'What do you want me to do for you before I go?' Elijah asked.
'I want to be twice as powerful as you for God!' said Elisha.
'That's a big thing to ask,' said Elijah. 'If you SEE me go to heaven, you'll get it.'
They kept walking and talking. Then suddenly—WHOOOOSH! A chariot made of FIRE with horses made of FIRE came down from the sky! A big whirlwind picked Elijah up, and he went UP, UP, UP to heaven!
Elisha saw it all! 'My father! My father!' he cried.
Elijah's coat fell down. Elisha picked it up. He walked back to the river and hit the water with the coat—SPLASH! The water split just like before!
Now everyone knew: Elisha had received power from God. He was ready to serve God just like Elijah had.
Elijah didn't die—he went straight to heaven! And Elisha carried on his important work.
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Scripture — 2 Kings 2:1-14 (KJV)
1And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.
2And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel.
3And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.
4And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho.
5And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.
6And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on.
7And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan. to view: Heb. in sight, or, over against
8And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.
9And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.
10And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. Thou hast: Heb. Thou hast done hard in asking
11And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
12And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.
13He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; bank: Heb. lip
14And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.
Memory Verse
“And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.”
— 2 Kings 2:1 (KJV)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “Elijah Taken to Heaven” in the Bible?
In a whirlwind with chariots of fire, Elijah is taken up to heaven without dying. His successor Elisha receives a double portion of his spirit. This story is found in 2 Kings 2:1-14.
Where is “Elijah Taken to Heaven” found in the Bible?
“Elijah Taken to Heaven” is found in 2 Kings 2:1-14, in the book of 2 Kings.
What can children learn from “Elijah Taken to Heaven”?
This story teaches children about Translation, Succession, Double portion, Persistence, Mentorship. God took Elijah straight to heaven in a chariot of fire! His helper Elisha saw it happen and received special power to do great things for God too.