מלכים ב, פרק ב׳, פסוק י״ח

The search undertaken by the disciples of the prophets ultimately proves to be a completely unnecessary mission [מדוד ועד לחורבן]. Upon returning from their journey, they discover Elisha exactly where they had left him, patiently waiting in the city of Jericho. His response to their failed expedition is direct. By reminding the disciples of his initial warning not to leave, Elisha emphasizes that the reality of their empty-handed return proves he was right from the very beginning when he originally forbade the search [ביאור שטיינזלץ].