According to the Bible, Elisha was a prophet and a miracle worker. He was the son of Shaphat, a rich land-owner of Abel-meholah. The name Elisha means “My God is salvation.” In the beginning of his ministry, he served as the attendant and the disciple of Elijah. But after Elijah was taken up to heaven, he became the people’s prophet (1 Kings 19:16, 19–21; 2 Kings 5:8). Elisha ministered for around 60 years during the rule of kings Jehoram, Jehu, Jehoahaz and Joash.
The anointing of Elisha
During the apostasy of Israel, Elijah thought that he was the only faithful prophet remaining. But the Lord informed him to go back home and anoint Hazael king of Aram, Jehu king of Israel, and Elisha to succeed him as prophet. For the Lord said, “Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu” (1 Kings 19:17).
Elijah went to Elisha, who was plowing the field with a pair of oxen. And he threw his cloak upon the young man designating that the prophetic office would be given to Elisha. Immediately, the young man left his oxen, said goodbye to his family, slaughtered his oxen, burnt his plow, gave the meat to the people, and became Elijah’s attendant serving him as a son (1 Kings 19:21).
The young prophet asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit
Before Elijah went to heaven, Elisha requested a double portion of him as his son. Elijah told Elisha that, if he saw him when he was taken, then the double portion would be his. Elisha saw the chariot of fire and horses of fire taking his master to heaven. And young man picked up Elijah’s cloak that fell from him and went to the Jordan River. There, he struck the water with the cloak and called on the name of the Lord, the waters were divided, and he re-crossed to the other side. And the sons of the prophets witnessed the miracle and it was confirmed to them that the Lord have filled Elisha with His spirit (2 Kings 2:1–18).
Elisha’s miracles
The Lord did many miracles through the prophet Elisha. He purified the waters of Jericho (2 Kings 2:19–21) and judged the youths that mocked (2 Kings 2:23–25). He increased a widow’s oil (2 Kings 4:1–7). Also, he prayed that the Shunammite family would have a son and when that son was stricken with death, he resurrected him (2 Kings 4:8–37). He healed the poison from a pot of stew (2 Kings 4:38–41) and increased twenty barley loaves to feed one hundred men (2 Kings 4:42–44). Further, the prophet healed Naaman of leprosy (2 Kings 5) and made a borrowed ax head that fell into the water to float (2 Kings 6:1–7).
Also, Elisha as a patriot assisted the king of Israel by revealing to him the activities of the king of Aram. When the king of Aram discovered that Elisha was exposing his secrets, he wanted to lay his hands on him. So, he sent his army to get the prophet. When Gehazi, Elisha’s servant saw the Arameans coming, he was afraid. But Elisha said to him those who are with us are more than those who are with them. Then, he prayed that God may open the eyes of his servant. Then, the servant saw the armies of God surrounding them (2 Kings 6:16–17). And Elisha also prayed that the Arameans army would to be blind.
God answered his prayer. And Elisha led the enemy to Samaria, the capital of Israel. Then, the king of Israel inquired from Elisha: should we kill them? But the prophet said, feed them instead. The king did. And in gratitude, the Aramians returned back to their king and country.
Elisha’s death
The prophet got sick and King Jehoash went to him and cried over him. Then, Elisha said to the king to get a bow and arrows and shoot them out the window. When Jehoash did, the prophet told him this was God’s arrow of victory over Aram. And Elisha said to the king to strike the ground with the arrows, but Jehoash did that only three times. Elisha was enraged and said if you had struck the ground five or six times you would have destroyed Aram completely (2 Kings 13:14–19).
The Bible tells us that “Elisha died and was buried” (2 Kings 13:20). And after his death, “some Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders; so they threw the man’s body into Elisha’s tomb. When the body touched Elisha’s bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet” (2 Kings 13:21).
Elisha was a faithful prophet of God that walked in the steps of Elijah. He traveled extensively serving the nation of Israel as a helper to the common people both Israelites and non- Israelites. And during His life, organized Baal worship was abolished (2 Kings 10:28).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
