Chariots of Fire for Kids

The day had come when Yahweh would take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elijah and Elisha were together at Gilgal. Elijah told Elisha to stay there because Yahweh was sending him to Bethel. But Elisha would not leave his teacher. He promised to remain with Elijah, and the two set out together along the hill-country road toward Bethel.

At Bethel, a group of prophets asked Elisha whether he knew that Elijah would soon be taken away. Elisha knew. Still, he stayed close. Elijah continued to Jericho, and Elisha followed. Then Elijah went toward the Jordan River. Fifty prophets watched from a distance as Elijah and Elisha stood beside the rushing water.

Elijah took off his mantle, rolled it up, and struck the river in one clear sweep. At once, the water divided. It rose away on both sides, opening a path across the riverbed. Elijah and Elisha walked between the waters on dry ground until they reached the other side.

There Elijah turned to Elisha. He asked what he could do for him before being taken away. Elisha did not ask for riches, comfort, or honor. He said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be on me.” Elijah answered that Elisha had asked a hard thing. Yet if Elisha saw Elijah being taken away, his request would be granted.

The two prophets walked on, talking together. Suddenly, a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared between them and swept them apart. Then a mighty whirlwind lifted Elijah upward into heaven. His mantle fell from him and fluttered down to the ground below.

Elisha watched Elijah disappear from sight. He cried, “My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” Overcome with sorrow, Elisha tore his own clothes in two. His beloved teacher was gone. For a moment, Elisha stood alone.

Then he saw Elijah’s fallen mantle. Elisha picked it up and carried it back to the Jordan. Standing at the riverbank, he rolled up the mantle and struck the water. “Where is Yahweh, the God of Elijah?” he cried.

The river divided again. The waters moved aside, and Elisha crossed over on dry ground. The prophets watching from nearby saw what had happened. They said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” Elijah was gone, but the work God had given him would continue. Elisha carried more than his teacher’s mantle. By God’s power, he carried on his calling.