2 Kings 2:5
“And 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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The prophets at Jericho repeat the knowledge and warning given at Bethel, and Elisha again affirms his knowledge while requesting silence.
Context
The sons of the prophets at each city confirm the same truth. Their repeated question suggests they are offering Elisha an opening to step back, or simply affirming what he must surely feel.
What Does 2 Kings 2:5 Mean?
The pattern repeats. Another band of prophets, this time at Jericho, approaches with the same urgent news. The Lord will take your master today. Again, Elisha acknowledges and again requests silence. What might have been doubt or hesitation in a lesser person becomes, in Elisha, a deepening certainty. Each encounter with the prophets confirms the reality: this is happening. Elisha knows it. He has known it all along. There is no shock, no last-minute scrambling, no regret. He is moving toward his destiny with open eyes.
The repetition in Scripture often signals weight. By telling us this scene twice, the writer emphasizes that Elisha's commitment is not a momentary enthusiasm but a tested resolve. He passes the test multiple times. He is offered multiple exits and refuses them all. By the time we reach the Jordan, we understand that Elisha has chosen this path fully and completely. His inheritance will be earned.
Application
Repetition and testing are gifts, not obstacles. Each time we reaffirm a commitment to follow Christ, we grow stronger in it. The prophets' repeated question offers us the same choice: Will we press on, or will we turn back?