The story of Eliyahu ascending to the heavens in a storm does not end when Eliyahu ascends, nor when it is conclusive that he is gone. Rather, the unit ends with Elisha retracing Eliyahu’s footsteps, ultimately to Mount Carmel and Shomron. In the same places where Elisha had so recently appeared as the disciple and servant of his great master, he now appears alone, as the prophet who takes the place of the master who is gone. By this act, Elisha is demonstrating unequivocally that he has inherited Eliyahu's role.

Courtesy of the Virtual Beit Midrash, Yeshivat Har Etzion