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Fifty witnesses watched from a distance as Elijah took his mantle, wrapped it, and struck the waters of the Jordan. The waters parted, and master and student walked across on a dry riverbed. Once on the other side, Elisha asked his master for one last favor: that he should have a "double portion" of the spirit of Elijah. Elijah offered no guarantee, but said that if Elisha would see him as he was being carried off to heaven, his favor would be granted.<ref name=Keyway/>

Fifty witnesses watched from a distance as Elijah took his mantle, wrapped it, and struck the waters of the Jordan. The waters parted, and master and student walked across on a dry riverbed. Once on the other side, Elisha asked his master for one last favor: that he should have a "double portion" of the spirit of Elijah. Elijah offered no guarantee, but said that if Elisha would see him as he was being carried off to heaven, his favor would be granted.<ref name=Keyway/>

Elijah did go up in a chariot of fire drawn by horses of fire. Elisha saw it and cried out, "My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and its horsemen!" Elijah disappeared, but Elisha did see his face one last time. Elisha also caught Elijah's mantle, which he dropped as he went.

Elijah did go up in a chariot of fire drawn by horses of fire. Elisha saw it and cried out, "My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and its horsemen!" Elijah was taken into [[heaven]], but Elisha did see his face one last time. Elisha also caught Elijah's mantle, which he dropped as he went.

Elisha tore his clothes into two pieces. But he took the mantle, and just as his master had done, he struck the waters of the Jordan and was able to re-cross on a dry bed.

Elisha tore his clothes into two pieces. But he took the mantle, and just as his master had done, he struck the waters of the Jordan and was able to re-cross on a dry bed.

=== The Miracle at Jericho and the Curse of Bethel ===

=== The Miracle at Jericho and the Curse of Bethel ===

The city fathers of Jericho then complained to Elisha that the water had dried up. Elisha asked for a new vessel full of salt. This he poured into the city spring, and then pronounced that God had healed the waters. Jericho's water would not fail again for centuries.<ref name=Keyway/>

The city fathers of [[Jericho]] then complained to Elisha that the water had dried up. Elisha asked for a new vessel full of salt. This he poured into the city spring, and then pronounced that God had healed the waters. Jericho's water would not fail again for centuries.<ref name=Keyway/>

Elisha's reception at Bethel was less kind: several young toughs hazed him because of his bald head and suggested that he ought to go up to heaven just as Elijah had done. Elisha rounded on them and pronounced a curse--whereupon two female [[bear]]s came out of the wood and mauled forty-two of them.<ref name=Keyway/>

Elisha's reception at [[Bethel]] was less kind: several young toughs hazed him because of his bald head and suggested that he ought to go up to heaven just as Elijah had done. Elisha rounded on them and pronounced a curse--whereupon two female [[bear]]s came out of the wood and mauled forty-two of them.<ref name=Keyway/>

After that, Elisha traveled to Mount Carmel and then returned to the city of [[Samaria]].<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Kings|chap=2|verses=19-25|version=NASB}}</ref>

After that, Elisha traveled to Mount Carmel and then returned to the city of [[Samaria]].<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Kings|chap=2|verses=19-25|version=NASB}}</ref>