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How did Elisha get a double portion?

Updated: Sep 24


Elisha and Elijah standing next to each other in cloaks, with text on the right saying, "How did Elisha get a double portion?"

When looking at Elijah and Elisha's life, we can clearly see that Elisha got a double portion of anointing. In fact, Elisha performed literally twice as many miracles as his mentor. Elisha requested that he get a double portion and Elijah responded, "You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so." (2 Kings 2:10) Then Elijah was taken in a whirlwind up into heaven, leaving his cloak behind. Elisha picked up his cloak, and shortly after performed his first miracle parting the waters of the Jordan river. This first miracle confirmed that Elisha's request for a double portion was received by God, and started the beginning of Elisha's incredible ministry. So why did Elisha receive a double portion? One thing we can observe from the scriptures is that Elisha honored Elijah's leadership in his life. After Elijah anointed Elisha as a prophet, Elisha left his family and his livelihood to follow Elijah. He stood by his side, honored him, and learned from him as they both persevered through the hard times. It was Elisha's willingness to honor Elijah that paved the way for him to receive a double portion. So, let's take a closer look at the miracles of the prophets Elijah and Elisha.


Man with text near him that says Elijah 14 miracles

Elijah's Miracles

  1. Causing the rain the cease for 3 1/2 years (1Ki 17:1)

  2. Being fed by the ravens (1Ki 17:4)

  3. Miracle of the barrel of meal and cruse of oil (1Ki 17:14)

  4. Resurrection of the widow's son (1Ki 17:22)

  5. Calling of fire from heaven on the altar (1Ki 18:38)

  6. Causing it to rain (1Ki 18:45)

  7. Prophecy that Ahab's sons would all be destroyed (1 Ki 21:22)

  8. Prophecy that Jezebel would be eaten by dogs (1Ki 21:23)

  9. Prophecy that Ahaziah would die of his illness (2Ki 1:4)

  10. Calling fire from heaven upon the first 50 soldiers (2Ki 2:10)

  11. Calling fire from heaven upon the second 50 soldiers (2Ki 2:12)

  12. Parting of the Jordan (2Ki 2:8)

  13. Prophecy that Elisha should have a double portion of his spirit (2Ki 2:10)

  14. Being caught up to heaven in a whirlwind (2Ki 2:11)

man standing with cloak with text on the left saying Elisha 28 miracles

Elisha's Miracles

  1. Parting of the Jordan (2Ki 2:14)

  2. Healing of the waters (2Ki 2:21)

  3. Curse of the she bears (2Ki 2:24)

  4. Filling of the valley with water (2Ki 3:17)

  5. Deception of the Moabites with the valley of blood (2Ki 3:22)

  6. Miracle of the vessels of oil (2Ki 4:4)

  7. Prophecy that the Shunammite woman would have a son (2Ki 4:16)

  8. Resurrection of the Shunammite's son (2Ki 4:34)

  9. Healing of the gourds (2Ki 4:41)

  10. Miracle of the bread (2Ki 4:43)

  11. Healing of Naaman (2Ki 5:14)

  12. Perception of Gehazi's transgression (2Ki 5:26)

  13. Cursing Gehazi with leprosy (2Ki 5:27)

  14. Floating of the axe head (2Ki 6:6)

  15. Prophecy of the Syrian battle plans (2Ki 6:9)

  16. Vision of the chariots (2Ki 6:17)

  17. Smiting the Syrian army with blindness (2Ki 6:18)

  18. Restoring the sight of the Syrian army (2Ki 6:20)

  19. Prophecy of the end of the great famine (2Ki 7:1)

  20. Prophecy that the scoffing nobleman would see, (2Ki 7:2)

  21. Deception of the Syrians with the sound of chariots (2Ki 7:6)

  22. Prophecy of the seven-year famine (2Ki 8:1)

  23. Prophecy of Benhadad's untimely death (2Ki 8:10)

  24. Prophecy of Hazael's cruelty to Israel (2Ki 8:12)

  25. Prophecy that Jehu would smite the house of Ahab (2Ki 9:7)

  26. Prophecy that Joash would smite the Syrians at Aphek (2Ki 13:17)

  27. Prophecy that Joash would smite Syria thrice but not consume it (2Ki 13:19)

  28. Resurrection of the man touched by his bones (2Ki 13:21)


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