2 Kings 13:14

“Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died, etc.] The prophets do not live for ever; this sickness was unto death; Elisha died, and was not translated as Elijah was: and Joash the king came down unto him; from his palace to the prophet’s house, to visit him in his sickness; which was an instance of great condescension and respect, and especially in a wicked prince that could not be reformed by him: and wept over his face; held his head over him, and wept, perceiving he was near his end, and sensible that his death would be a public loss; the nation having often reaped the benefit of his prayers, though his counsel and advice were neglected and despised: and said, O my father,…”

“Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died--Every man's death is occasioned by some disease, and so was Elisha's. But in intimating it, there seems a contrast tacitly made between him and his prophetic predecessor, who did not die. Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face--He visited him where he was lying ill of this mortal sickness, and expressed deep sorrow, not from the personal respect he bore for the prophet, but for the incalculable loss his death would occasion to the kingdom. my father, my father! &c.--(See on Kg2 2:12). These words seem to have been a complimentary phrase applied to one who was thought an eminent guardian and deliverer of his…”

“The closing scene of Elisha’s life. It was now at least sixty-three years since his call, so that he was at this time very possibly above ninety. He seems to have lived in almost complete retirement from the time he sent the young prophet to anoint Jehu king 2 Kings 9:1. And now it was not he who sought the king, but the king who sought him. Apparently, the special function of the two great Israelite prophets (Elijah and Elisha) was to counteract the noxious influence of the Baalistic rites; and, when these ceased, their extraordinary ministry came to an end. The chariot of Israel ... - See the marginal reference. Joash must have known the circumstances of Elijah’s removal, which were…”

“Fallen sick, &c. - He lived long: for it was sixty years since he was first called to be a prophet. It was a great mercy to Israel and especially to the sons of the prophets, that he was continued so long, a burning and a shining light. Elijah finished his testimony, in a fourth part of that time. God's prophets have their day set them, longer or shorter, as infinite wisdom sees fit. But all the latter part of his time, from the anointing of Jehu, which was forty five years before Joash began his reign, we find no mention of him, or of any thing he did, 'till we find him here upon his death bed. Yet he might be useful to the last, tho' not so famous as he had sometimes been. 4 Kings (2…”

“13:14 Jehoash wept over Elisha, showing that a faint glow of spiritual consciousness still existed in him. • the chariots and charioteers of Israel: Jehoash’s tribute to Elisha is reminiscent of Elisha’s words at Elijah’s departure (2:12).”

“am 3166, bc 838 fallen sick: Kg2 20:1; Gen 48:1; Joh 11:3; Phi 2:26 he died: Psa 12:1; Isa 57:1; Zac 1:5; Act 13:36 O my father: Kg2 2:12, Kg2 6:21; Pro 11:11; Eze 14:14, Eze 22:30; Mar 6:20 4 Kings (2 Kings) 13:16”

“Illness and Death of the Prophet Elisha. - Kg2 13:14. When Elisha was taken ill with the sickness of which he was to die, king Joash visited him and wept over his face, i.e., bending over the sick man as he lay, and exclaimed, "My father, my father! the chariot of Israel and horsemen thereof!" just as Elisha had mourned over the departure of Elijah ( Kg2 2:12). This lamentation of the king at the approaching death of the prophet shows that Joash knew how to value his labours. And on account of this faith which was manifested in his recognition of the prophet's worth, the Lord gave the king another gracious assurance through the dying Elisha, which was confirmed by means of a symbolical…”