BIBLE PEOPLE | ELISHA

1. Bible People

a) The Bible is an historic record of real people and places. 

b) Here is a brief biography of such a person during Bible times.

2. Elisha

a) Elisha, son of Shaphat, was a prophet from Abel Meholah in Gilead. He lived in the northern Kingdom of Israel during the reigns of Jehoram, Jehu, Jehoahaz and Jehoash. Elisha was Elijah's student.

b) When Elijah was taken up into heaven in a fiery chariot, Elisha picked up Elijah's mantle, struck it on the waters of the Jordan River and said, "Where is the Lord the God of Elijah?" (2 Kings 2:14). The water then parted and Elisha crossed over, thus beginning his service as a prophet of God.

c) Elisha, like Elijah, performed some extraordinary miracles as a prophet of God. He brought back to life the dead son of a Shunammite woman; he cured Naaman a general from Damascus, of leprosy; he multiplied loaves of barley and ears of grain to feed a crowd of people; he caused a metal ax head to float on water; he caused an attacking Aramean army to go blind and then returned their sight; and, among other miracles, he filled large empty vessels with oil.

d) Elisha had a member of his company of prophets anoint Jehu to be king of Israel, and to strike down Jezebel and members of Ahab's household, which Jehu completed.

e) When Elisha was on his deathbed, he prophesied to Joash, the King of Israel, that Israel will win the next three Battles with Aram. When Elisha was being buried, the body of another man was placed in the same grave. When the dead man's body touched Elisha's body, the dead man came to life and stood on his feet. (2 Kings 13:21).

f) The story of Elisha is found in 1 and 2 Kings. Note: Before Elijah was taken up in the fiery chariot, he asked Elisha "what may I do for you before I am taken from you". Elisha asks, "Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit" (2 Kings 2:9). If you count the recorded miracles in the Bible, Elijah performed eight, and Elisha performed sixteen.

g) The name Elisha means "God is salvation"