Elisha was a prophet in the Old Testament of the Bible. He first appears in 1 Kings 19, when he is called to follow the prophet Elijah and become his servant. Elisha went on to succeed Elijah after he was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2). Elisha performed many miracles and prophesied during a time of political turmoil in Israel and Judah. Here is an overview of Elisha’s life and ministry as recorded in the Bible:
Elisha’s Background
The Bible doesn’t provide much background information about Elisha prior to his call to become a prophet. He was the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah (1 Kings 19:16) and must have come from a well-to-do family, as he was plowing with a team of oxen when Elijah found him (1 Kings 19:19). His name means “God is salvation.” When Elijah approached him and threw his cloak around him, Elisha understood this gesture as Elijah inviting him to become his attendant and eventual successor. After requesting permission from his parents, Elisha slaughtered his oxen, used the plow for fuel, and followed Elijah from that point onward (1 Kings 19:20-21).
Elisha’s Relationship with Elijah
As Elijah’s servant, Elisha witnessed many of his mentor’s miraculous deeds. He was likely in training during this time to take over Elijah’s prophetic role. When the time came for God to take Elijah up to heaven, Elisha refused to leave Elijah’s side despite the prophet telling him to remain behind three times (2 Kings 2:1-6). Elisha insisted on seeing God take Elijah, which he was then privileged to witness as chariots of fire separated the two men and a whirlwind carried Elijah into heaven. Elisha tore his clothes in grief at losing his master.
Elisha Inherits a Double Portion of Elijah’s Spirit
As Elijah was carried away, his cloak fell to the ground. Elisha picked it up and used it to part the waters of the Jordan River, just as Elijah had done (2 Kings 2:13-14). This miracle confirmed that Elisha had inherited Elijah’s prophetic spirit. When the other prophets saw this, they acknowledged that “the spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha” (2 Kings 2:15). The “double portion” that Elisha had requested from Elijah before he was taken away (2 Kings 2:9) represented the right of inheritance that went to a firstborn son. This didn’t mean Elisha would have twice Elijah’s power, but the full share of power as his successor.
Elisha Performs Miracles
Elisha went on to perform twice as many miracles as Elijah. Here are some of Elisha’s significant miracles:
- Purified bad drinking water in Jericho (2 Kings 2:19-22)
- Cursed a group of youths who mocked his baldness, resulting in them being mauled by bears (2 Kings 2:23-25)
- Multiplied a widow’s oil to provide income and save her sons from slavery (2 Kings 4:1-7)
- Raised a Shunammite woman’s son from the dead (2 Kings 4:8-37)
- Purified a pot of stew that was poisonous (2 Kings 4:38-41)
- Multiplied loaves of bread to feed 100 men (2 Kings 4:42-44)
- Healed Naaman of leprosy when he washed in the Jordan River (2 Kings 5:1-14)
- Made an ax head float so it could be recovered (2 Kings 6:1-7)
- Revealed the location of the Aramean army to the king of Israel (2 Kings 6:8-12)
- Struck an Aramean army with blindness when they tried to capture him (2 Kings 6:13-23)
These dramatic miracles served to establish Elisha’s authority as Elijah’s successor. The people recognized him as a true prophet empowered by God.
Elisha’s Prophecies and Actions
In addition to performing miracles, Elisha delivered important prophecies and messages during his ministry:
- 2 Kings 3: Elisha prophesied victory for Israel, Judah, and Edom over Moab.
- 2 Kings 5: Elisha healed Naaman but condemned his servant Gehazi for lying.
- 2 Kings 6: Elisha revealed military secrets to the king of Israel.
- 2 Kings 7: Elisha prophesied an end to a severe famine in Samaria.
- 2 Kings 8: Elisha predicted future atrocities that would be committed by Hazael against Israel.
- 2 Kings 9-10: Elisha sent one of the prophets under his authority to anoint Jehu as king and pronounce judgment on the house of Ahab.
- 2 Kings 13: Even after his death, Elisha’s bones revived a dead man.
Many of Elisha’s prophecies provided key revelations about Israel’s enemies and God’s plans for the nation’s future. His actions buttressed the authority of the kings who sought his counsel.
Details of Elisha’s Death
The Bible does not record the details of Elisha’s death. The last mention of him while he was still alive was during the reign of King Joash of Israel (2 Kings 13:14-19). After he became ill, King Joash went to visit the elderly Elisha and addressed him as “the chariots and horsemen of Israel,” acknowledging his importance in protecting the nation. Elisha told Joash to shoot some arrows as a sign of victory over Aram, but the king did not shoot enough arrows to satisfy Elisha. The prophet told him he would only win partial victory as a result. Verse 20 simply states that Elisha died and was buried.
Even after Elisha’s death and burial, his reputation continued. Some time later, a dead man was thrown into Elisha’s tomb. When his body touched Elisha’s bones, he revived and stood up alive (2 Kings 13:20-21). This final miracle even after his death demonstrated the power and holiness associated with Elisha.
Lessons from Elisha’s Life
There are several important lessons that can be learned from Elisha’s life and ministry:
- Faithfulness in small things prepares for greater things. Elisha faithfully served Elijah before inheriting his mantle.
- Inheriting from those before prepares for new things. Elisha carried on Elijah’s work but also blazed new ground.
- Sensitivity to God’s leading is required. Elisha had to be sensitive to know he was called to replace Elijah.
- Supernatural empowerment is needed for supernatural tasks. Elisha relied fully on God’s Spirit to perform miracles.
- Prophets speak truth without fear. Elisha boldly spoke messages from God to kings.
- A life of integrity gives power to words. Elisha’s righteous life gave weight to his prophecies.
Elisha lived a life of courage, faithfulness, and integrity as God’s prophet during a crucial time in Israel’s history. His life demonstrated true servanthood and the power of God working through a yielded vessel. As Elijah’s successor, Elisha carried on his mentor’s work but also blazed new ground through his many miracles and prophecies. God used Elisha mightily to call His people to faithfulness and confront idolatry and ungodly leadership. The dramatic miracles God did through Elisha remind us that those who minister in God’s strength and authority can accomplish the supernatural.