Biblical Prophets - Bible Study Online

Here we find that Elisha is well into his ministry, for he had already parted the River Jordan and purified the water wells at Jericho.

But on this particular day, we find that Elisha had already left Jericho and was on his way to Bethel.

Since he had just left Jericho's Prophet Academy, we assume that he was now on his way to visit Bethel's Prophet Academy.

But while he was en route towards Bethel, we find that a gang of youths had left from out of the town and when they saw Elisha: started to jeer and taunt the prophet.

Now these juveniles were townsmen (citizens) of Bethel and the record shows that they were constantly abusive towards the Lord's prophets. The reason for this aggression, when it came to God's servants: is that we must remember, that Bethel was one of two towns that king Jeroboam had instituted his idolatrous calf worship religion. The other place that this religion was thriving, was the town of Dan.

Note: Although king Jeroboam was punished behind his calf worship religion, we would find that none of his idolatrous works and temples would be destroyed until the reign of king Josiah:

"By the word of the Lord a man of God came from Judah to Bethel, as Jeroboam was standing by the altar to make an offering. He cried out against the altar by the word of the Lord: 'O altar, altar! This is what the Lord says: 'A son named Josiah will be born to the House of David. On you he will sacrifice the priest of the high places who now make offerings here, and human bones will be burned on you.' That same day the man of God gave a sign: 'This is the sign the Lord has declared: The altar will be split apart and the ashes on it will be poured out." (1 Kings 13:1-3) -- This was the prophecy that God had given the prophet of Judah.

Now, Josiah had not yet been born, and so therefore the calf worship religion was still heavily practiced in the towns of Dan and Bethel. It was for this reason, the Lord's prophets were being abuse and teased so aggressively within those two places.

So they taunted the prophet: "Go on up, you bald head -- Go on up, you bald head" the gang of juveniles would call out to Elisha as he approached Bethel. Now this taunt was in reference to the miraculous event that had taken place when Elijah the prophet was taken up to heaven in a divine whirlwind back in Jericho.

Since this event had happen in Jericho and not Bethel, this miracle event would be declared a silly rumor, when it came to these juveniles. So they teased Elisha, daring him to do the same, as the great Elijah had done before him. Now, while they were in the midst of their teasing, Elisha would turn around and call down a curse on them in the name of the Lord. ***What he actually said was not recorded.***

Then from out of nowhere, two she bears would run out, attacking and killing forty-two of the juveniles:

"He turned around looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the Lord. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths." (2 Kings 2:24)

Note: This event is perhaps one of the most controversial from within this great book. For the opposition towards God's Word are constantly arguing: Why did Forty-two juveniles have to lose their lives over teasing?

First, I would like to point out something: For when I wrote about this account I used the words youths and juveniles. But in the King James translation the words "little children" are used. Now imagine that?

First, let's touch on the words "little children?" Now these words are translated from the Hebrew word -- "yeled". Now, this same word is also used in reference to a young David in this passage:

"And Samuel said unto Jesse: 'Are here all thy children?' And he said: 'There remaineth yet the youngest, and behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse: 'Send and fetch him -- for we will not sit down till he come hither." (1 Samuel 16:11)

Now when this Hebrew word "yeled" is used at this particular time, David this so-called little child, had already to his credit -- killed a lion and a bear; and already had a reputation for being very courageous and brave.

In order for David to have had been successful against a bear, or a lion, he must have been a young man at this time. For no little children will be able to go out and kill themselves a lion and a bear. So therefore, these "little children" that were teasing Elisha, also had to be young men themselves. For no little children would have been venturing off on their on: especially out from the city.

So what about the judgment? A death sentence for teasing -- still seems harsh? And I agree. But we don't have a clue on what all these young men had done, for if they were bold enough to tease Elisha -- who knows what else they had done when it came to others. Also, we don't know what was in their hearts and how much evil and wickedness they truly had within them.

Now there's something else I would like to point out -- for when we look at this scripture a little bit more closely: we will find that Elisha did not call out the she-bears. Sure, he called down a curse on the juveniles in the name of the Lord. But after he had done this -- God sent out the she-bears that enacted the judgment against the juveniles.

Understand, that when these juveniles taunted Elisha, they also taunted God -- for Elisha was His servant. These juveniles wanted to see the same power that had taken Elijah up in a whirlwind, and so therefore, God granted them their wish. I hope this clears things up a little bit better when it comes to this record that deals with the "She-Bears".

Note: The term "she bears" is found in the King James translation.

Elijah the Fire Prophet

Elisha the Prophet Apprentice

**YOUR CURRENT SERIES WOULD BE HERE**

Family Dynasties Unite

13) Elijah and the Chariot of Fire

14) Elisha the Master Prophet

15) <-CURRENT PAGE->

16) King Mesha's Rebellion

17) The Blood Water

18) The Widow's Oil Treasure

19) Shunammite's Son Raised From The Dead

20) Elisha and the Pot of Death

21) The Leprosy of Naaman

22) The Floating Iron Axhead

23) The Fire Horse Army

24) The Siege of the Dark Famine

25) The Four Starving Lepers

26) The Shunammite's Divine Provision

27) Hazael Anointed Syrian King

28) Family Dynasties United

29) Jehu Is Anointed King of Israel

30) The Demise of Jehoram & Ahaziah

31) The Demise of Jezebel