Elijah Bible Study Lessons

Who was Elijah?

He was a prophet from Gilead, considered one of the greatest prophets in the Old Testament. He was rugged, abrupt, and dressed in skins with a leather girdle and a long “mantle.” The mantle was the symbol of his office. Elijah was a preaching prophet, not a writing prophet, and his message was primarily to the ten tribes of Israel. He ministered primarily during the time of King Ahab (1 Kings 16:29–22:40).

How did Elijah end his ministry?

Second Kings tells the story of Elijah going up to heaven in a whirlwind. Apparently he did not die, but was translated into the presence of God. His prophetic mantle—symbol of office—was dropped as Elijah was carried into heaven. Young Elisha took the mantle and carried on his work.

What is the difference between the ministries of Elisha and Elijah?

Whereas Elijah was rough and ministered in the wilderness apart from society, Elisha went into the cities, spoke to the kings in their courts, and lived with a school of prophets. Whereas Elijah did seven miracles in his lifetime, young Elisha, his student, did fourteen miracles, probably because he asked for a “double portion of [Elijah’s] spirit” (2 Kings 2:9).

Elmer Towns, Bible Answers for Almost All Your Questions (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2003).