Why did Elisha die and not Elijah?

Answer 1

It was stated: This is an unanswerable question, since nowhere in the record of both prophets are we told this, nor is it even hinted at. Elisha performed miracles, some of a seemingly greater or more spectacular nature than Elijah. Elijah was noted for his great zeal for the Lord of hosts. However, there is no suggestion that this earned him any kind of reward. Rather it would perhaps be simply said this is God's will and that He has not intended to tell us, nor deemed it necessary for us to know this.

I don't agree this is unanswerable. Elijah and Moses had roles as establisher's of God's work and their successors were people who carried out the work done by what was established. The Law - Moses... the principle of repentance - Elijah. So Moses died and was placed into the ground but Elijah left bodily without dying. When Jesus spoke to the on the mount of Transfiguration Jesus was talking about his exit from earth. This would include a bodily death - Moses... and a physical bodily removal - Elijah. of course this was done by resurrection. So Elisha died, 'normally' because the whole idea of having a man bodily in heaven had already been established by Elijah. The fullness of this came when Jesus finished the work on Calvary and encapsulated both lives in his death and ascension.