Lesson 30 – A Double Portion
2 Kings 2:9 – When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha – Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you. And Elisha said – Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.

Now that we have examined the ministries of both Elijah and Elisha, it is interesting to compare what the Lord did through these two men of His. Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, and Elijah promised it would be so for him if Elisha saw him taken up into Heaven (2 Kings 2:9-10).

When we first see Elijah in Scripture, he is predicting a drought for Israel (lesson 1). Elisha experiences the famine in Israel caused by the enemy siege (lesson 25). After three and a half years of drought, God sends rain on Israel during Elijah’s lifetime (6), and miraculously provides food during Elisha’s time as Israel’s man of God (26). The Lord provided meal and oil for a widow during the drought through Elijah (2), and oil for a widow through Elisha (17). The grateful widow who had a son showed hospitality to Elijah (2) and a childless woman who showed hospitality to Elisha was given a miracle son by God (18). Both of these women experienced another miracle when God brought their precious sons back to life (3, 19). Elijah confronted an idol-worshiping king (4), and Elisha confronted his greedy servant who lied (22). The true God was revealed to idol-worshiping people – on Mt. Carmel through Elijah (5), and through Elisha when Naaman was healed (21). Both Elijah and Elisha confronted the king’s soldiers in lessons 13 and 24. Chariots of fire from God transported Elijah to Heaven (14) and protected Elisha and his servant (24). The prophets who were taught by Elijah tried to find his body after God took him to Heaven (15), and Elisha’s buried bones brought a man back to life (29).


When Elijah became discouraged and depressed after wearing himself out physically and spiritually, God provided Elisha to help him in the ministry (7, 8, 9). Perhaps Elijah taught Elisha how to take care of himself as he carried out his duties as the man of God, and/or he had a different personality, because we do not read of Elisha having similar challenges. Elisha was also used by God to heal the poisonous water and the poisoned stew so the prophets could eat it; God multiplied loaves of bread to feed all the prophets, and the Lord caused the borrowed iron axe head to float so a prophet could return it. Through Elisha, the hospitable woman’s home and land were restored, and God revealed the next king of Israel.

*What is the most valuable lesson God has taught you through the life of Elijah or Elisha?