ELIJAH'S ASCENT IN A CHARIOT OF FIRE.

And it came to pass, when the Lord would take up Elijah intoheaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for theLord hath sent me to Beth-el. And Elisha said unto him, As theLord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. Sothey went down to Beth-el.

And the sons of the prophets that were at Beth-el came forthto Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Lord willtake away thy master from thy head to-day? And he said, Yea, Iknow it; hold ye your peace. And 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 willnot leave thee. So they came to Jericho.

And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came toElisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Lord will takeaway thy master from thy head to-day? And he answered, Yea, Iknow it; hold ye your peace. And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, Ipray thee, here; for the Lord hath sent me to Jordan. And hesaid, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will notleave thee. And they two went on.

And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood toview afar off and they two stood by Jordan.

And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smotethe waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so thatthey two went over on dry ground.

And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijahsaid unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be takenaway from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a doubleportion of thy spirit be upon me. And he said, Thou hast asked ahard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken fromthee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not beso.

And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that,behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, andparted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind intoheaven.—2 Kings ii, I-II.