Final days of Elijah

The first book of Kings ended with an unfavourable verdict on the acts of Ahaziah, the son of Ahab. It reads.
Ahaziah the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria in the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and he reigned two years over Israel.
He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of his father, and in the way of his mother, and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.
He served Baal and worshiped him, and provoked the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger in every way that his father had done (1 Kings 22:51-53).
These verses are formulaic. We find a lot of such examples, condemning the kings of Israel, throughout the books of Kings. The Deuteronomist author explains the downfall of Israel in terms of the widespread practice of idolatry in the northern kingdom. To illustrate his point, the author told us how Ahaziah died at the beginning of the second book of Kings.
Now Ahaziah fell through the lattice in his upper chamber in Samaria, and lay sick; so he sent messengers, telling them, "Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover from this sickness." (2 Kings 1:2)
When Christians fall sick or suffer any setbacks, they will accept them and embrace them gladly. They will thank God, rejoicing that they are counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of Jesus (Acts 5:41) and to suffer for the salvation of the world.
In contrast, Ahaziah inquired about his fate of a Canaanite fertility deity. Such behaviour would horrify Christians and would invoke condemnation from them. Don't bother. Elijah would do the job.
Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?'
Now therefore thus says the LORD, `You shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone, but you shall surely die.' (2 Kings 1:3b-4)
When the messengers returned and reported to Ahaziah, he was angry and sent fifty soldiers led by a captain to arrest Elijah. Elijah called down fire from heaven to consume them all (2 Kings 1:9-10). A second group went and met the same fate. When the third group went, the captain feared for his life and humbled himself in front of Elijah. Elijah followed them without doing them any harm. At last, Ahaziah died according to the word of the Lord and Jehoram, Ahaziah's brother succeeded the throne because Ahaziah had no son (2 Kings 1:17).
Elijah was a rather destructive man. A total of 550 men died in his hand. He was able to call down fire from heaven. But he was also an attractive figure. Even James and John, nicknamed Sons of Thunder, wanted to copy his example to consume the Samaritan village which did not receive Jesus (Luke 9:54). Prophets lead a colourful and romantic life, especially when they perform powerful miracles. But how many of us know their moments of frustration and depression? How many of us are willing to embrace a life of persecutions they lead?
In chapter 2 of 2 Kings, we read of the ascension of Elijah at River Jordan on a chariot of fire. His prophetic office was succeeded by Elisha, his disciple. From Gilgal, they travelled to Bethel, then Jericho and finally River Jordan. Elijah struck the river with his mantle. Water split up to let them crossing the Jordan. After Elijah was carried away to heaven on a chariot of fire, Elisha took up his mantle and split the water of the Jordan with it (2 Kings 2:14). Elisha began his prophetic office.

My Advocate, You are the giver of life of which we are but stewards. Very often, instead of cherishing it, we waste it away instead. Be with us and help us lead it wisely to carry out Your wish. Amen.