Elisha was a well known prophet of the Lord who lived in the 9th century BC. In Hebrew, his name means “God is Salvation”. His ministry as prophet matched the meaning of his name and he was fully devoted to revealing the heart of God to the people in his generation and showed compassion for all types of people. He performed many miracles, however, he will always live in the shadow of his predecessor Elijah (2 Kings 3:11). When Elijah’s time as prophet was coming to an end, the Lord instructed him to anoint Elisha as the next prophet (1 Kings 19:16). Actually there were many prophets of the Lord at that time, but Elijah was known as the prophet. The others were lesser prophets and operated with the full knowledge that a greater prophet was among them. Elijah followed the Lord’s instruction and found Elisha and passed the prophetic office to him. Prior to that time, Elisha was apparently not involved with the prophetic ministry at all. He was working on what must have been his parents’ farm. They were evidently a wealthy family because he was driving his pair of oxen which was said to be the twelfth pair. Upon Elijah’s call, Elisha was enthusiastic and requested enough time to inform his parents which Elijah obviously allowed him to do. Elisha was all-in and he slaughtered his pair of oxen and used the wood from their yoke to prepare a feast and celebrated his new ministry with the people there. There was no turning back for this servant of the Lord. He was loyal to Elijah and refused to leave his side until Elijah was taken to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha received a double-portion of Elijah’s spirit, as requested (2 Kings 2:9), and was well respected by the other prophets in the area. Elisha clearly believed God and trusted Him. Elisha sought after God, and through him God worked powerfully.
Elisha’s story is told mostly in 2 Kings 2-13. He served as a prophet for over 60 years spanning the reigns of several kings of the Northern Kingdom including Jehoram, Jehu, Jehoahaz, and Joash. He was an advisor to the kings of both Israel and Judah and had a heart for social justice and especially for the poor and needy. The thrust of his message revolved around repentance and a return to the Lord. He died in peace at an advanced age though the dates of his birth and death are not specifically recorded. Interestingly enough, some time after he was placed in his tomb, another corpse was hastily placed there and when that body touched the bones of Elisha and the unnamed dead man came to life (2 Kings 13:20-21). The Bible does record many instances of people coming back to life but none other as with these unusual circumstances.
God’s Miracles Performed Through Elisha
Elisha requested and received a double-portion of Elijahs’s spirit and power. Accordingly, the Bible records roughly twice as many miracles performed through the ministry of Elisha than through Elijah. We will discuss some of the more well-known ones here.
The Widow’s Oil
In the Old Testament times, people who weren’t able to pay their debts would sometimes become slaves to their debtors. Elisha became aware of a widow who was in such a situation. She had been married to a prophet of the Lord but he died and left her with two sons and more debt than they could keep up with. The creditor must not have seen much value in her directly but was interested in putting her two sons to work. This would have devastated the family even more and left her personally desolate. She pleaded with Elisha and he gave her some interesting instructions to have her needs met. She and her sons gathered empty jars from her neighbors and the Lord provided a miraculous amount of oil that filled all the jars that were gathered. Olive oil was a valuable commodity and was used as an ingredient for cooking and as fuel for lamps and stoves. If she had anticipated that miraculous result, she may have spent more time gathering jars. It makes us wonder if sometimes we don’t limit the extent of God’s blessing by our lack of enthusiastic obedience and/or faith. In the end, her debt was paid and she had a head start on her regular living expenses with her sons remaining with her.
The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.”
Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?”
“Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.”
Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.”
She left him and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.”
But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” Then the oil stopped flowing.
She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.”
2 Kings 4:1-7
Naaman’s Leprosy
Naaman was the commander of the Syrian Army. Syria and Israel often battled and though peaceful at the time of this event, they remained a potential threat to Israel. In fact, Naaman’s raiding bands had captured an Israelite girl and made her his property and she served Naaman’s wife. Naaman was powerful and well respected but he had contracted leprosy. This young Israelite, full of faith despite her dreadful circumstances, suggested to her mistress that Naaman go see the Prophet Elisha in Israel for healing. She made this bold statement even though no Israelites received this type of healing from Elisha. Naaman, desperate as he must have been, agreed.
This was a possible international incident waiting to happen so he was sure to communicate his intentions to his king to gain the proper authorization. He gathered together sizable gifts which were probably over and above the typical protocol for such a situation. He was an important official traveling to a foreign nation to make a request for healing, normally an impossible task. He apparently had anticipated a formal affair and a certain level of pomp and circumstance as his request was fulfilled and he would reciprocate by offering his generous gifts which surely would have impressed the anticipated crowd. He even went to see the king in Israel first, probably expecting that the prophet would be summoned to appear there and perform this miracle in some grand fashion.
As it turned out, the king panicked and shrunk in fear, even tearing his robe. Naaman continued on to the home of the prophet. Naaman missed out on the ceremony he anticipated and his arrogance almost cost him the healing he desired, but in the end he obeyed the instructions relayed to him from the prophet. Elisha shook off the notion of receiving any payment and Naaman became a believer in the Lord and left healed of his leprosy and his pride. This was an amazing record of salvation which all started with the faith of a young girl who chose to bloom where she was planted instead of cursing God for her circumstances. It also highlights the unfaithfulness of the King of Israel. He was the highest ranking person in Israel but he worshiped idols and reacted with fear when Naaman approached him. The Israelite servant girl was among the lowest ranking persons in Israel, even more so that she was captured by foreigners and enslaved. But her faith in the Lord led to the healing and salvation of her earthly master, Naaman. We must remember God chooses to accomplish much with very little sometimes. As believers, we must never be discouraged because of what we may seem to be lacking. Instead we must remember that we have all the resources of heaven at our disposal for accomplishing what God has planned for us.
In Luke 4:24-30, Jesus used this story as part of his example of how the Jews of his day would miss out on God’s blessing but that God’s blessing would go instead to the Gentile world. In Naaman’s day, the king of Israel was an idolater and Naaman, a foreigner military leader, became a devout believer in the Lord. The current world situation follows the same pattern. Israel, as a nation, called for the execution of Christ and have been rejecting him ever since while the Gospel has gone to the Gentiles throughout the world. When we compare the story of Naaman with the present world situation, the idolatrous king of Israel represents the unrepentant Nation of Israel, Naaman represents the Gentile world, Naaman’s servant girl represents the relatively few Messianic Jews who have come to trust in Jesus and their Savior, Redeemer and Lord. The strongest believers today strive for the same faith of that young, unnamed believer from long ago. She deserves to be remembered whenever we read about any of the most famous heroes of the faith.
Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy.
Now bands of raiders from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. She said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.”
Naaman went to his master and told him what the girl from Israel had said. “By all means, go,” the king of Aram replied. “I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” So Naaman left, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold and ten sets of clothing. The letter that he took to the king of Israel read: “With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman to you so that you may cure him of his leprosy.”
As soon as the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his robes and said, “Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!”
When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his robes, he sent him this message: “Why have you torn your robes? Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel.” So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha’s house. Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.”
But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” So he turned and went off in a rage.
Naaman’s servants went to him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!” So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.
Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God. He stood before him and said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.”
The prophet answered, “As surely as the Lord lives, whom I serve, I will not accept a thing.” And even though Naaman urged him, he refused.
“If you will not,” said Naaman, “please let me, your servant, be given as much earth as a pair of mules can carry, for your servant will never again make burnt offerings and sacrifices to any other god but the Lord. But may the Lord forgive your servant for this one thing: When my master enters the temple of Rimmon [a false thundergod of the Assyrians] to bow down and he is leaning on my arm and I have to bow there also—when I bow down in the temple of Rimmon , may the Lord forgive your servant for this.”
“Go in peace,” Elisha said.
2 Kings 5:1-19
Boy Raised from the Dead
There was a woman who lived with her husband in Shunem, a small village in the possession of the Tribe of Issachar (Joshua 19:17-23). It was located near the Jezreel Valley, north of Mount Gilboa. This couple was childless and the husband was very old. The wife generously provided hospitality for Elisha whenever he needed a place to stay. She even got permission from her husband to have special guest quarters built for Elisha. Because of her generosity, the Lord blessed them with a son. This miracle was predicted by Elisha a year prior to his birth. This was an unsolicited act of reciprocation but was received with great appreciation. Several years later the boy became sick and died. The mother’s gratitude turned into mourning and bitter disappointment. Elisha felt for her and did all he could to raise the boy back to life. God honored his compassion and the boy indeed did come back from the dead.
For many years, she had dutifully provided hospitality and care for God’s servant. Then in her time of need, God rewarded her for her faithful service and performed a miracle for her benefit. There is no doubt that God sees everything and will not ignore kindness and compassion shown to others.
When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his couch. He went in, shut the door on the two of them and prayed to the Lord. Then he got on the bed and lay on the boy, mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands to hands. As he stretched himself out on him, the boy’s body grew warm. Elisha turned away and walked back and forth in the room and then got on the bed and stretched out on him once more. The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes.
Elisha summoned Gehazi and said, “Call the Shunammite.” And he did. When she came, he said, “Take your son.” She came in, fell at his feet and bowed to the ground. Then she took her son and went out.
2 Kings 4:32-37
Unseen Army Revealed / Enemy blinded
When Jesus taught his followers on the Sermon on the Mount, he instructed them to love their enemies (Matthew 5:43-48). The Apostle Paul taught believers to provide food and water for their enemies and to leave vengeance to the Lord (Romans 12:19-20). This is actually a theme that spans both the Old and New testaments. This miracle involving Elisha gives a great example of this principle.
Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, “I will set up my camp in such and such a place.”
The man of God [Elisha] sent word to the king of Israel: “Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there.” So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places.
This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, “Tell me! Which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?”
“None of us, my lord the king,” said one of his officers, “but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.”
“Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him.” The report came back: “He is in Dothan.” Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.
When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked.
“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike this army with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.
Elisha told them, “This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for.” And he led them to Samaria.
After they entered the city, Elisha said, “Lord, open the eyes of these men so they can see.” Then the Lord opened their eyes and they looked, and there they were, inside Samaria.
When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “Shall I kill them, my father? Shall I kill them?”
“Do not kill them,” he answered. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master.” So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel’s territory.
2 Kings 6:8-23
Summary
Elisha was a prophet mostly to the Northern Kingdom of Israel but also interacted with the Southern Kingdom at times (2 Kings 3:12-20). The fact that the kingdom was divided and that the Israelites were still tempted with idolatry and rebellious behavior made Elisha’s task of being a prophet of the Lord very challenging. God was waiting patiently for his nation to turn to him fully. At times, the prophets were even sent to foreign nations to reveal God’s might, power and righteousness.
Elisha was committed to serving the Lord faithfully and advised kings but also showed compassion and concern for the lowest of citizens. He revealed the heart of God to the people of his time and encouraged them to cease idolatry and return to worshiping the Lord alone. The Lord worked many powerful miracles through this prophet and he serves as a great example of a godly life.
Elisha received much compassion and blessing from the Lord and he was quick to turn around and share compassion and blessing without expecting anything in return. When we read these New Testament words from the Apostle Paul, we can remember the example of the life and times of Elisha:
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Chart of Miracles
| Miracles (arranged by order of reference) | Reference | Note |
| Parted the waters of the Jordan River | 2 Kings 2:14 | Elisha’s first miracle. |
| Healed the water at Jericho | 2 Kings 2:19-22 | The water stayed drinkable forever |
| Called down a curse in the name of the Lord which resulted in the bear attack. | 2 Kings 2:23-24 | This curse resulted in 42 casualties. |
| After consulting the Lord, Elisha predicted pools without rain that would fill the ditches – and victory over the Moabites. | 2 Kings 3:14-25 | The water was available only to the Israelites. The Moabites were easily defeated as the Lord indicated through Elisha. The Moabites saw the water from a distance but thought it was blood which was key to their defeat. |
| A miraculous flow of oil for the widow to meet her financial debt and living expenses. | 2 Kings 4:2-7 | All the jars she collected were filled – more faith and obedience would have resulted in greater blessing. Do we shortchange ourselves sometimes? |
| Predicted a son would be born to the Shunammite woman. | 2 Kings 4:8-17 | Her husband was old but they were indeed able to conceive and the son was born about a year after the prophetic word was given. |
| Raised the son of the Shunammite’s couple from the dead | 2 Kings 4:32-37 | Success followed failed attempts to help- even then it was in stages, not instant. |
| Purified poisoned soup | 2 Kings 4:38-41 | Elisha provided edible food for the prophets of the Lord. |
| Food of prophets multiplied | 2 Kings 4:42-44 | Elisha provided ample food for the prophets of the Lord. |
| Healed Naaman of leprosy | 2 Kings 5:1-19 | Long distance healing |
| Perception of Gehazi’s sinful actions | 2 Kings 5:20-27 | Gehazi had previously been a faithful servant but crossed a line that required discipline, leprosy. He was guilty of greed and multiple instances of premeditated lying and deception. |
| Made an iron ax head float | 2 Kings 6:1-7 | Elisha provided assistance to a prophet of the Lord, recovered a borrowed item. |
| Knowledge of enemy plans | 2 Kings 6:12 | Prophetic knowledge |
| Struck the Aramaeans temporarily blind | 2 Kings 6:18 | He blinded them instead of wiping them out. |
| Foreknowing the king’s acts | 2 Kings 6:32 | Prophetic revealing of war secrets |
| Prophesied the end of the Aramaean siege | 2 Kings 7:1-20 | Prophetic knowledge |
| Prophecy of the seven-year famine | 2 Kings 8:1 | Prophetic utterance |
| Prophesied the death of Ben-Hadad and the rise of Hazael | 2 Kings 8:7-15 | The Lord instructed Elijah to anoint Hazael as king of Aram (Syria) in 1 Kings 19:15-16. Though apparently Elijah did not complete this task, Hazael became king anyway. |
| Prophesied Israel would defeat Aram | 2 Kings 13:14-19 | Prophetic utterance |
| Resurrection of the man touched by his bones | 2 Kings 13:21 | Unnamed dead man came to life when his body touched Elisha’s bones |
All Scripture quoted from:
New International Version (NIV)
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