<P> Ahaziah sends out three groups of soldiers to arrest Elijah . The first two are destroyed by fire which Elijah calls down from heaven . The leader of the third group asks for mercy for himself and his men . Elijah agrees to accompany this third group to Ahaziah, where he gives his prophecy in person . Ahaziah dies without recovering from his injuries in accordance with Elijah's word . </P> <P> According to 2 Kings 2: 3--9, Elisha (Eliseus) and "the sons of the prophets" knew beforehand that Elijah would one day be assumed into heaven . Elisha asked Elijah to "let a double portion" of Elijah's "spirit" be upon him . Elijah agreed, with the condition that Elisha would see him be "taken". </P> <P> Elijah, in company with Elisha, approaches the Jordan . He rolls up his mantle and strikes the water . The water immediately divides and Elijah and Elisha cross on dry land . Suddenly, a chariot of fire and horses of fire appear and Elijah is lifted up in a whirlwind . As Elijah is lifted up, his mantle falls to the ground and Elisha picks it up . </P> <P> Elijah is mentioned once more in 2 Chronicles 21: 12, which will be his final mention in the Hebrew Bible . A letter is sent under the prophet's name to Jehoram of Judah . It tells him that he has led the people of Judah astray in the same way that Israel was led astray . The prophet ends the letter with a prediction of a painful death . This letter is a puzzle to readers for several reasons . First, it concerns a king of the southern kingdom, while Elijah concerned himself with the kingdom of Israel . Second, the message begins with "Thus says YHVH, God of your father David ..." rather than the more usual "...in the name of YHVH the God of Israel ." Also, this letter seems to come after Elijah's ascension into the whirlwind . Michael Wilcock, formerly of Trinity College, Bristol, suggests a number of possible reasons for this letter, among them that it may be an example of a better known prophet's name being substituted for that of a lesser known prophet . John Van Seters, however, rejects the letter as having any connection with the Elijah tradition . However, Wilcock argues that Elijah's letter,' does address a very' northern' situation in the southern kingdom', and thus is authentic . </P>

Who was taken up in a chariot of fire and a whirlwind