40. The chariot of Israel and its horsemen

Down by the Jordan as the flaming stallions approached, Amichai and his peers turned their thoughts from the mystery of Elijah’s only known friend, Yashar, to the fate of Elijah himself. What was about to happen? The students cupped their ears to hear the men across the river…

“Elisha,” Elijah said, “ask what I might do for you before I’m taken away.”

Elisha answered, “Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.”

The sons of the prophets all cheered when they heard their mentor’s request and then, out of awe, quickly fell silent again.

“You have asked a hard thing,” Elijah said. “Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you then it will be so to you. If not, it will not be so.”

That seemed fair to Amichai, and just in time.

The chariot landed in a spinning torrent. Light flashed across a darkening sky. The earth shook and all Elisha’s students fell upon their knees. And behold! Elijah went up by a whirlwind, on the chariot, into the heavens.

Elisha called out, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!”

But Elijah, the horses, the chariot, flames, flashing light and every trace of wind had disappeared.

Elisha stood on the far side of the Jordan, alone.

Amichai and his fellows bowed down then, saying, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.”