2 Kings 2:25

2Ki 2:25 And he went from thence to mount Carmel, and from thence he returned to Samaria.

Ver. 25. To mount Carmel.] He can never be a profitable seer, that is either always or never alone. Carmel shall fit Elisha for Samaria; contemplation for action. {a}

{a} Bp. Hall.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

(25) To mount Carmel.—To cultivate the memory of his master in solitude. Elijah had often lived there (comp. 1 Kings 18), as its caves were well fitted for solitude and concealment. Elisha may have retired thither to prepare himself for his public ministry by prayer and fasting. (Comp. Mat_4:1, seq.)

To Samaria.—Where he had his permanent abode. (Comp. 2Ki_6:32.)

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

25. he went from thence to mount Carmel] At which place, either for the purposes of devotion or because there also was a college of the prophets, we see from 2Ki_4:25, that Elisha was known to reside from time to time. The Shunammite mother in her distress knows where the prophet is to be found.

and from thence he returned to Samaria] In which city we learn, from the story of Naaman in chapter 5 below, that Elisha had a house. The Israelitish maid also speaks of him there as ‘the prophet that is in Samaria’. His most permanent home therefore was most likely in the royal city, and his visits to Carmel and other places made from time to time, as need required.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Carmel - Where Elisha held gatherings for religious purposes 2Ki 4:23-25 during one period of his life, if he did not actually reside there.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Carmel. To avoid the indignation of the populace, and to instruct his disciples. --- Samaria. That he might be ready to give advice to the two kings, who were meditating an expedition against Moab. (Menochius)

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

He went from thence; partly, to decline the fury of the people of Beth-el; partly, that he might retire himself from men, and converse more freely with God, and so fit himself more for the discharge of his employment; and partly, that he might visit the sons of the prophets who lived in that place, or near it.

He returned to Samaria, by the direction of God’s Spirit, for the service which he did, 2Ki 3:11, &c.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

25. Thence to mount Carmel… thence… to Samaria — Thus he follows in the steps of his departed master, and frequents the scenes of that master’s ministry.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And he went from thence to Mount Carmel. Ewald thinks that Carmel was, on the whole, the main residence of Elijah, and "through him became a special prophetic locality" ("History of Israel," vol. 4. p. 68). If so, we may account for Elisha"s visiting it on this occasion by his desire to communicate the facts of Elijah"s removal from earth to those who had been his intimates in that quarter. And from thence he returned to Samaria. Elisha does not imitate the wild, half-savage life and almost constant seclusion of his master. He "prefers from the first the companionship of men," fixes his home in the capital of his country, Samaria; (2Ki_5:9 2Ki_6:32) is a friendly counselor of the king, (2Ki_6:9) and highly honored by him; (2Ki_8:4) his whole life, indeed, is, compared with that of Elijah, one of ease and tranquility. But, though living "in the world," he is not "of the world." As Ewald says, "In spite of all the seductions to which he was abundantly exposed through the great consideration in which he was held, he retained at every period of his life the true prophetic simplicity and purity, and contempt for worldly wealth and advantages" ("History of Israel," vol. 4. p. 83). He is thus, far more than Elijah, a pattern for Christian ministers, especially for such as are highly placed, who will do well to follow his example.

Carmel.

Elisha, after his endowment with the prophet office, retired for a time to his master"s old haunt at Carmel, and then returned to Samaria. So Paul, after his conversion and call to the apostolic office, retired to Arabia. (Gal_1:17)

1. Retirement as a means of preparation for active duty. The need of retreat, of private communion with God, of time to digest the lessons of the past, of reflection and meditation.

2. Active work as the fruit of retirement. Retirement is not to degenerate into monkery. J.O.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.