2 Kings 2:19-25

Elisha Heals the Waters of Jericho

19 Then the men of the city said to Elisha, “Please note, our lord, that the city’s location is good, as you can see. But the water is bad and the land is unfruitful.”

20 “Bring me a new bowl,” he replied, “and put some salt in it.” So they brought it to him,

21 and Elisha went out to the spring, cast the salt into it, and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘I have healed this water. No longer will it cause death or unfruitfulness. ^[a]’”

22 And the waters there have been healthy to this day, according to the word spoken by Elisha.

Elisha Mocked

23 From there, Elisha went up to Bethel, and as he was walking up the road, a group of boys ^[b] came out of the city and jeered at him, chanting, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!”

24 Then he turned around, looked at them, and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Suddenly two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys.

25 And Elisha went on to Mount Carmel, and from there he returned to Samaria.

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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or barrenness
• [b]. Or some small youths or some insignificant young men; similarly in verse 24