2 Kings 2:19-25

19 The men of the city said to Elisha, Behold, we pray you, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees: but the water is bad, and the land miscarries.

20 He said, Bring me a new jar, and put salt therein. They brought it to him.

21 He went forth to the spring of the waters, and cast salt therein, and said, Thus says the LORD, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from there any more death or miscarrying.

22 So the waters were healed to this day, according to the word of Elisha which he spoke.

23 He went up from there to Beit-El; and as he was going up by the way, there came forth young lads out of the city, and mocked him, and said to him, Go up, you baldy; go up, you baldhead.

24 He looked behind him and saw them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. There came forth two she-bears out of the wood, and mauled forty-two lads of them.

25 He went from there to Mount Karmel, and from there he returned to Shomron.

2 Kings 2:19-25 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 2 KINGS 2

This chapter relates, how that Elisha accompanied Elijah to several places, and on the other side Jordan Elijah was taken up from him to heaven, which occasioned great lamentation in him, 2Ki 2:1-12, but having the mantle of Elijah, he divided the waters of Jordan, and passed over, 2Ki 2:13,14, and the sons of the prophets at Jericho, perceiving the spirit of Elijah on him, showed him great respect, and proposed sending men to seek his master, which they did in vain, 2Ki 2:15-18, when he healed the waters at Jericho, at the request of the men of it, 2Ki 2:19-22, and the chapter is concluded with the destruction of forty two children at Bethel by bears, who mocked him, 2Ki 2:23,24.