Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Kings 2:14

14 And he took the mantle of Elijah, that sell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah ? and when he had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.

Who at Elijah's Request divided these Waters, and is as able to do it again; and hath given me his Spirit, and Office, and therefore I humbly beg, and confidently expect his Assistance in this matter.

But these words are by many rendred otherwise, and that agreeably to the Hebrew, even himself? or, even the same? (which words they joyn with the former, as an Emphatical Addition, or Repetition, which is usual in fervent Prayers. But they may be rendered without an Interrogation, thus, Surely he is, to wit, here present, and ready to help me. Or, surely he is the same; to wit, to me, that he was to Elijah, as able and willing to work for me, as for Elijah. Then the following words they render, as they are in the Hebrew) and he smote the water, and it was divided. By which Repetition it may seem, that he smote it twice, and that at the first smiting, the success did not answer his desire and expectation. Which God so ordered, partly to keep him in a modest and humble sence of his own Insufficiency, that he might not be puffed up with the great Gifts which he had now received; Comp. 2 Cor. 12. 7. And partly, to stir him up to a more lively Exercise of Faith and Prayer, which followed God's denial or suspension of his help, as it is here expressed; which also was attended with desired success.