Q28. Double-Portion

[Pastor Ralph]

Q28. (2 Kings 2:9-11) Why does Elisha ask for a double portion (or full first-born’s inheritance) of Elijah’s spirit? Is he greedy for power? Is it right to long for a greater presence and power of the Holy Spirit? How should we seek this?

[Krissi]

 Elisha knew he was about to be on his own, without his father/master/tutor's support. He had leaned heavily on Elijah in the past, and though he doesn’t seem nervous, he could have been thinking about the future and what could happen to him. Elisha may have sensed he was about to be tested and the enormity of what he had been asked to do made him realize that he may not be up to the challenge. He needed more. More spiritual power to prevail, even though he must have known that the Holy Spirit would surely carry him through.

This was his character defining moment. It’s much like when Solomon asked for wisdom, or when Paul, retrospectively, said he had “kept the faith.” Even Jesus had to reject unlimited wealth and power. This, then, was Elisha’s moment, one in which he denied for himself what the world offered by asking for a double portion of the Holy Spirit (spiritual strength).

[Katy]

Q28. Elisha asks for a double portion of the Holy Spirit to show he was the true successor to Elijah. He was probably feeling overwhelmed by the thought of the responsibility he was taking over and feeling inadequate and really felt the need to have a double portion of strength from the spirit. He was to be admired that his request for for nothing worldly but something that would help him in him God given ministry.  Yes it is right to desire to have a greater presence and power of the Holy Spirit, only with His presence and power can we become as God desires us to be. He gives us the strength to do and say things that we wouldn’t say or do without His strength. We seek it by spending more time in God’s presence, praying and learning more and more about Him.

[hanks]

Q28. (2 Kings 2:9-11) 
Why does Elisha ask for a double portion (or full first-born's inheritance) of Elijah's spirit? Is he greedy for power? Is it right to long for a greater presence and power of the Holy Spirit? How should we seek this? 
Elijah was going to be taken to be with the Lord that day, and all the responsibilities would now fall on Elisha, and having worked as Elijah’s assistant, for eight to ten years, He knew something of what would be required of him. The responsibilities he would have to bear for the Lord. When asked the question what do you want or desire. He could have asked for anything but immediately without hesitation asks for a double portion of the Spirit. Not protection, not skills, not wealth, not personal comforts; no but a double portion of Spirit to be able to do God’s work and bring glory to our Lord. He knew from his time with Elijah the enmity, aggression, hostilities, death threats, false teachings, idolatry, false deities, and other things he would face, and without the power of the Holy Spirit it would be impossible to be successful in doing the work God would require of him. His foremost priority was not personal fame, popularity or wealth. He desired spiritual greatness to bring glory to God only. He is looking to God to provide for his needs. No, Elisha is definitely not greedy for power, rather he being completely submissive to being God’s prophet without any consideration about his wellbeing. It was all about God and not himself. Yes, we should all be asking for a greater presence and power of the Holy Spirit – a double portion. The result would be greater disciples for our Lord Jesus. But we should not take this request lightly, we must be able to live with the consequences, for God might mightily call us into an unexpected ministry. Perhaps even completely out of our comfort zone. 
 

[Jonathan Edwards]

Elisha truly wanted to be like his spiritual father.  Elisha as a true minister of Yahweh.  He wanted to be true in his calling, fidelity to duty, always faithfull in rebuking sin, a spirit of fearlessness and courage in the presence of opposition and danger.  Elisha was to be a teacher of others. So Elisha had to be doubly spiritual, doubly carefull, doubly Holy, doubly zealous and scrupulous about his calling.

Elisha was not greedy for power.  He was living in challenging times.  How he needed the gifts and graces of God.   We too are in the same predicament!  Reminds of how some Catholic priests and Christian ministers and nuns clandestinely hid Jewish people during the Nazi era.   Some actually died martyrs' deaths. The Prophet Daniel is another wonderful example.   He was given great graces to be a diplomats in the Persian government yet he received visions and prophecies from on High to guide the People of God.   

Back in November 1971, at the age of 16 years old, I sought the double portion of the Holy Spirit. I sought the Lord diligently as a young man.   Was active in prayer meetings and church.  I was open to the gifts of the Holy Spirit when I was in high school.   Yes, we are so blessed that the Holy Spirit is here on earth; we need to renew our Pentecostal gifts and graces.   As we are still in our fleshy tabernacles, we need to go from glory to glory; we are still running towards the goal: beatific vision of Jesus Christ.   Strength for evangelism !   I can testify to God's keeping power over the years.   The testimony of Jesus Christ is the spirit of prophecy.   We need the Holy Spirit anointing to preach and minister unto others;  without the touch of God, we cannot go far, and as a result...backslide into all sorts of errors and sins.

[lighthouse2014]

It appears Elisha was Elijah's only disciple, therefore he request that he wanted twice the portion of spirit that his master had. As is the custom of being the only first born of Elijah's ministry, he wanted twice the portion. I believe he is not being greedy, as per custom, he wants his double share.

It is not wrong to have a greater presence of the Holy Spirit. We need to fast and pray that if we are indeed sincere that the would grant us a greater portion of the Holy Spirit.   

[Irmela]

Q28. (2 Kings 2:9-11)

Why does Elisha ask for a double portion (or full first-born's inheritance) of Elijah's spirit?

Is he greedy for power?

Is it right to long for a greater presence and power of the Holy Spirit?    No

How should we seek this?    In truth, fullness and sincerity of heart.

Elisha was the one that God had chosen and shown to Elijah to be his successor and he had faithfully followed Elijah since that time.  So in view of this he was like the first-born son, in the prophetic sphere, to Elijah. That seems quite above board then and not greedy to ask for a double portion.  To fulfill the task that was now resting on his shoulders would need the double portion.  

[haar]

Q28. (2 Kings 2:9-11) Why does Elisha ask for a double portion (or full first-born's inheritance) of Elijah's spirit? Is he greedy for power? Is it right to long for a greater presence and power of the Holy Spirit? How should we seek this?

I think Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah’s anointing so as to be very empowered to perform even more than whatever his boss had done. I don’t think that this request was motivated by greed.

Indeed we should long for and ask for greater power of the Holy Spirit but not necessarily greater presence as his presence does not have to be doubled for greater anointing.

[blezed]

Why does Elisha ask for a double portion (or full first-born’s inheritance) of Elijah’s spirit? Is he greedy for power?

Elisha asked for a double  portion of Elijah's spirit because he was asking for the portion that the fist-born was entitled to under the Jewish laws of inheritance.  I do not think he was being greedy for power.

Is it right to long for a greater presence and power of the Holy Spirit? How should we seek this?

Yes, it is right to long for greater present and power of the Holy Spirit.  Greater presence of his Holy Spirit will help us to be more like God and to help minister to others.  Seek this spirit by fasting and praying.

[Christopher Olamiji Taiwo]

Q28. (2 Kings 2:9-11) Why does Elisha ask for a double portion (or full first-born's inheritance) of Elijah's spirit? Is he greedy for power? Is it right to long for a greater presence and power of the Holy Spirit? How should we seek this?

Elisha asked for a double portion as the first-born inheritance in Jews law. 

He is not greedy for power he only asking for first-born inheritance. 

It is long for a great presence and power of the Holy Spirit and prayer faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

[JOLLAM BANDA]

Elisha asks for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit because he wants to be recognized as the successor of Elijah. He is not greedy in doing so only that he wants to serve the Lord Yahweh more. It is not wrong to seek for a greater presence and power of the Holy spirit. However, the power of the Holy Spirit should be requested sorely for serving the Lord Yahweh and like the intention Simon the Sorcerer had. 

 

 

[Old Jerry]

I think that Elisha was asking for a double portion because he wanted to be recognized as being the first born son of Elijah. I don’t think that he was greedy for power. We should all be longing for a greater presence and power of the Holy Spirit. We should seek this by staying connected to God just like Elisha was connected to Elijah.