ELISHA (j/t,i+t..,,, God the deliverer ; Sept.
'ENco-acg). The manner, and the circumstances, in which Elisha was called to the prophetic office have been noticed in the article ELIJAH.
Anxious to enter at once upon the duties of his sacred office, Elisha determined to visit the schools of the prophets which were on the other side of the Jordan. Accordingly, returning to this river, and wishing that sensible evidence should be af forded, both to himself and others, of the spirit and power of his departed master resting upon him, he struck its waters with Elijah's mantle, when they parted asunder and opened a way for him to pass over on dry land. Witnessing this miraculous transaction, the fifty sons of the pro phets, who had seen from the opposite side Eli iah's ascension, and who were awaiting Elisha's return, now, with becoming reverence, acknow ledged him their spiritual head.
These young prophets are not more full of re verence for Elisha than of zeal for Elijah ; they saw the latter carried up in the air—they knew that this was not the first time of his miraculous removal. Imagining it therefore possible that the Spirit of God had cast him on some remote moun tain or valley, they ask permission to go and seek him. Elisha, though fully aware that he was re ceived up into glory, but yet fearful lest it should be conceived that he, from any unworthy motives, was not anxious to have him brought back, yielded to their request.
The divine authority by which Elisha became the successor of Elijah received further confirma tion from the miracle whereby the bitter waters of Jericho were made sweet, and the place thereby rendered fit for the habitation of man (2 Kings ii. 19-22).
As the general visitor of the schools of the pro phets, Elisha now passes on from Jericho to the college which was at Beth-el. Ere, however, he entered Beth-el, there Met him from thence (2 Kings ii. 23, 24) little children, who, no doubt instigated by their idolatrous parents, tauntingly told him to ascend into heaven, as did his master Elijah! There was in their expressions an admix ture of rudeness, infidelity, and impiety. But the inhabitants of Beth-el were to know, from bitter experience, that to dishonour God's prophets was to dishonour himself; for Elisha was at the mo ment inspired to pronounce the judgment which at once took effect ; God, who never wants for in struments to accomplish his purposes, caused two she-bears to emerge from a neighbouring wood, and destroy the young delinquents.
Jehoram, who reigned over Israel at this time, though not a Baalite, was yet addicted to the sin of Jeroboam ; still he inherits the friendship of Jehoshaphat, the good king of Judma, whose counsel, possibly, under God, had detached him from the more gross idolatry of his father Ahab. Wishing to see the now (B.c. S95) revolted king of Moab reduced to his wonted allegiance to Is rael, Jehoshaphat determined to go up to battle against him, together with Jehoram, and his own tributary the king of Edom. These combined armies met together on the plains of Edom. Con fident in their own powers they press onward against the enemy ; but, not meeting him, another of a more formidable character started up before them. In the midst of the arid plains of Arabia Petra they could find no water. Jehoram de plores the calamity into which they had fallen, but Jchoshaphat inquired for a prophet. On this, one of his courtiers said to Jehoram, Here is Elisha, the son of Shaphat, who poured water on the hands of Elijah.' No sooner were they
made acquainted with the fact that Elisha was at hand than the three kings waited upon him. Eli sha, feeling that it was nought but superstitious fear, joined to the influence of Jehoshaphat, which led Jehoram thus to consult him, now indignantly and tauntingly advises him to go for succour to the gods of his father Ahab and of his mother Jezebel. The reproved monarch was then led to acknow ledge the impotency of those gods in whom he had trusted, and the power of that God whom he had neglected. Still the man of God, seeing the hollowness of Jehoram's humiliation, continues : As the Lord liveth, before whom I stand, surely were it not that I regard the presence of Jehosha phat, the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee.' Having thus addressed Jehoram, Elisha desired a minstrel to be brought before him ; and now, when his spirit is calmed by, perhaps, one of the songs of Zion, Jehovah approaches his pro phet in the power of inspiration, as it is written, The hand of the Lord came upon him.' The minstrel ceases, and Elisha communicates the joy ful intelligence that not only should water be miraculously supplied, but also that Moab should be overcome. Thus saith the Lord, make this valley full of ditches ; ye shall not see wind, nei ther shall ye see the rain ; yet that valley shall be filled with water that ye may drink.' Accord ingly the next morning they realized the truth of this prediction. But the same water which pre serves their lives becomes the source of destruc tion to their enemies. The Moabites, who had received intelligence of the advance of the allied army, were now assembled upon their frontiers. When the sun was up, and its rosy light first fell upon the water, their vanguard, beholding it at a distance, supposed it to be blood. Thus the no tion was rapidly spread from one end to another that the kings were surely slain, having fallen out amongst themselves. Hence there was a univer sal shout, Moab, to the spoil !' and they went forward confident of victory. But who can de scribe their consternation at beholding the Israel itish squadrons advancing to meet them sword in hand ! At once they flee in the utmost panic and confusion ; but in vain do they seek to defend themselves, God had decreed their punishment by, and subjugation to, Israel (2 Kings iii. 20, etc.) The war having terminated in the signal over throw of the revolters, Elisha, who had returned home, is again employed in ministering blessings. Another case arose to declare the peculiar charac ter of his mission as messenger of mercy to man. The widow of a pious prophet presents herself be fore him (2 Kings iv.), informs him that her hus band having died in debt, his creditors were about to sell her two only sons, which, by an extension of the law (Exod. xxi. 7, and Lev. X XV. 39), and by virtue of another (Exod. xxii. 3), they had the power to do ; and against this hard-hearted act she implores the prophet's assistance. God will not, without a cause, depart from the general laws of his administration ; Elisha therefore inquires how far she herself had the power to avert the threatened calamity. She replies that the only thing of which she was possessed was one pot of oil. By multiplying this, as did his predecessor Elijah in the case of the widow of Zarephath, he enabled her at once to pay off her debts, and thereby to preserve the liberty of her children (z Kings iv. 1-7).