Character Studies

Lesson 22

ELISHA

"And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?" Elisha said, "Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me." (2 Kings 2:9)

ELISHA'S BACKGROUND
1 Kings 19:19-21
· Selected by God to be a prophet (1 Kgs. 19:16)
· A farmer, the son of Shaphat of Abel-Meholah (1 Kgs. 19:16, 19)

ELISHA AND ELIJAH
1 Kings 19:21; 2 Kings 2:1-18; 3:11
· Humble and devoted servant of the prophet Elijah (1 Kgs. 19:21; 2 Kgs. 3:11; 2:1-6)
· Asked to be Elijah's successor (2 Kgs. 2:9)
· His request fulfilled (2 Kgs. 2:10-18)

ELISHA'S WORK AS A PROPHET
2 Kings 2:19-13:21 (5:8)
· From his call to his death spanned a time of about 65 years (prophet for about 55 years)
· The record of his prophetic work is not recorded in strict chronological order
· Like Elijah's, his miracles showed the power of Jehovah over Baal while also showing God's mercy and salvation:
    1. Jordan River parted - 2 Kgs. 2:13-14 (Water)
    2. Spring purified at Jericho - 2 Kgs. 2:19-22 (Water)
    3. Widow's oil multiplied - 2 Kgs. 4:1-7 (Oil)
    4. Dead boy raised to life - 2 Kgs. 4:18-37 (Life of a child)
    5. Poison in stew purified - 2 Kgs. 4:38-41 (Flour)
    6. Prophets' food multiplied - 2 Kgs. 4:42-44 (Bread and grain)
    7. Naaman healed of leprosy - 2 Kgs. 5:1-14 (Flesh)
    8. Gehazi became leprous - 2 Kgs. 5:15-27 (Omniscient)
    9. Ax head floated - 2 Kgs. 6:1-7 (Nature)
  10. Syrian army blinded - 2 Kgs. 6:8-23 (Prayer)
  11. The bones of Elisha - 2 Kgs. 13:20-21 (Death)

THE MERCY AND JUDGMENT OF GOD
Romans 11:22
· The Bible records 18 encounters between Elisha and needy people
· The mercy and compassion of God are seen in Elisha's many miracles
· (Elisha spent much of his time in the compassionate care of people)
· The judgment of God was also on display:
    (Elisha also spoke condemnation upon the rebellious - 2 Kgs. 2:23-24; 5:20-27; cf. 9:1-10)

THE WORK OF ELISHA
· The sons of the prophets (2 Kgs. 2:3, 5, 7; 15-18; 4:38; 6:1-7; 9:1, 4)
· The kings of Israel & Judah (2 Kgs. 3)
· The widow and the Shunammite woman (2 Kgs. 4:1-37; 8:1-6)
· Naaman and Gehazi (2 Kgs. 5)
· The Syrians (2 Kgs. 6:8-7:20; 8:7-15)
· Jehu anointed king of Israel, destroyed the house of Ahab & removed Baal worship from Israel (2 Kgs. 9:1-10; 10:10-11, 27-31)
· The death of Elisha (2 Kgs. 13:14-21)

THE CHARACTER OF ELISHA
· Service to God and others is his hallmark (he zealously desired to serve God, 2 Kgs. 2:9)
· Practiced compassion toward the trials of the people
· Also showed stern, righteous indignation against irreverence
· Prayer and action showed his faith in God's presence and power

LESSONS FOR US
· It is good to aspire to and be involved in spiritual service.
· The measure of greatness in Christ's kingdom is service (Matt. 20:26-28).
· Great faith brings great rewards (cf. the Shunammite woman).
· God's word must be followed faithfully in order to receive God's blessings (cf. Naaman).
· God surely punishes the unrighteous.
· God's prophetic word is true.

QUESTIONS
1. What was meant by Elisha's request that a "a double portion" of Elijah's spirit be upon him? (2 Kgs. 2:9)

2. Explain the expression, "My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!" To whom and what occurrences was it applied? (2 Kgs. 2:11; 6:17; 13:14)

3. Who rebelled against Israel (2 Kgs. 3)? What was the outcome?

4. How did Elisha help a prophet's widow? (2 Kgs. 4:1-7)

5. What did the Shunammite woman do for Elisha? What did he (God) do for her? (2 Kgs. 4:8-37; 8:1-6)

6. What caused Naaman to be healed of his leprosy? (2 Kgs. 5:1-15)

7. What were Gehazi's sins and punishment? (2 Kgs. 5:20-27)

8. What did Elisha see when the Syrian army attempted to capture him? (2 Kgs. 6:8-23)

9. Who tried to kill Elisha and why? (2 Kgs. 6:24-7:2)

10. How did the famine and siege of Samaria end? (2 Kgs. 7:3-20)

11. Who were Ben-hadad (1 Kgs. 20:1; 2 Kgs. 6:24)? Hazael (1 Kgs. 19:15; 2 Kgs. 8:7-15; 12:17-18)? Jehu (1 Kgs. 19:16; 2 Kgs. 9 & 10)?

12. When Elisha neared death, why was he angry with the king of Israel? (2 Kgs. 13:14-19)

13. What happened when Moabites buried a man in Elisha's tomb? (2 Kgs. 13:20-21)