The life of Elisha

Preface

The writer of this little Bible story, and several of a similar character published by the American Sunday-school Union, has been led to think that children might receive more instruction from Scripture biographies, if they could see the characters described in the midst of the scenes in which they were accustomed to appear when alive. The eminent men of the Bible lived so long ago, — much that is related of them seems so strange and unusual, when unexplained b}^ a reference to the manners and customs of their age, that children are in danger of regarding them as imaginary persons — inhabitants A 2 5

VI PREFACE.

of another world. The object of the writer has been to represent them as living, breathing men ; moving about, and acting like other men, according to the circumstances of their country and age. An attempt has been made to describe the scenes in which they took an active part ; the people among whom they lived ; and to present them in that dress which they were accustomed to wear when alive. This was a difficult task, and has been but imperfectly performed ; but no pains have been spared to obtain accurate information respecting the manners, customs, and scenery of Palestine, and the surrounding countries.

Chapter I. Early Histoky Of Elisha

Page

Birth-place of Elisha — His parentage — Elijah chooses him for a companion — How they spent their time — Two things in which Elisha should be imitated — Elisha divides the waters of the Jordan 9

CHAPTER H.

DESCRIPTION OF JERICHO.

Jericho — Description of the plain of Jericho — Unwholesome and bitter spring of water — Elisha casts salt into it, and makes the water sweet — Present appearance of this spring — Elisha goes to Bethel — Children mock the prophet — They are torn in pieces by bears — Children should respect good men 21

CHAPTER m.

ELISHA GOES WITH THE ARXY AGAINST MOAB.

Jehoram reigns over Israel — The Moabites revolt — Jehoram and Jehoshaphat march against them — They are in great want of water — They consult Elisha — He foretells a supply of water — — Water comes from the wilderness — The Moabites overcome, and their country conquered — The king of Moab sacrifices his son . . 35

O CONTENTS.

CHAPTER IV.

ELISHA RESTORES THE SHUNEMITe's SON TO LIFE.

Page The widow and her two sons — She asks aid of Elisha — Miracle of the oil — Elisha Uves on Mount Carmel — Woman of Shunem — She makes a chamber for Elisha — Description of it — Elisha's promise to the Shunemite — Her son is sick, and dies — She goes to Elisha, at Mount Carmel — Mode of traveUing in the east — She meets Elisha — Eastern manner of salutation — Elisha returns with her — He restores her son to life 46

CHAPTER V.

ELISHA MAKES THE POISONOUS FOOD WHOLESOME.

Elisha goes to Gilgal — School of the prophets at Gilgal — Want of food at the school — Poisonous wild gourds — Elisha makes the poisonous food wholesome — How the students obtained their support — First-fruits — Miracle of the loaves ... 68

CHAPTER VI.

ELISHA HEALS NAAMAN THE SYRIAN.

Syria — Naaman, the Syrian captain — He has the leprosy — Description of the leprosy — Lepers banished from cities — The captive maid — She advises Naaman to go to Elisha — Naaman goes to Samaria — He arrives at the house of Elisha — How Elisha treats him — Naaman is angry — He washes in Jordan, and is healed — Several things in which he acted wisely — He is grateful for being cured — He offers a present to Elisha — The prophet refuses it — Naaman's request — Wicked conduct and punishment of Gehazi 77

CONTENTS, 9,

CHAPTER VII.

ELISHA MAKES IRON TO SWIM.

Page Elisha goes with his scholars to the Jordan — Fords of the Jordan — Young men cut down trees for a college — An axe falls into the river — Elisha makes iron to swim — Benhadad invades Israel — Elisha defeats his purpose — Benhadad sends soldiers to take Elisha — Elisha's servant alarmed — Chariots and horses of fire surround Dothan — The Syrians made blind — Elisha leads them to Samaria — Description of Samaria — The Syrians sent home 107

CHAPTER VIII.

ELISHA FORETELLS PLENTY IN SAMARIA.

The Syrians besiege Samaria — Severe famine — A woman eats her own son — Jehoram is angry with Elisha — He sends men to kill the prophet — Elisha foretells abundance in Samaria — The four lepers without the city — They visit the Syrian camp — The Syrians are alarmed, and flee — The lepers return to the city — The Israelites gather the spoils, and food becomes plenty — Jehoram a wicked king — Another famine — Elisha tells the Shunemite to leave the country — She goes to Philistia — She returns, and asks the king for her land 123

CHAPTER IX.

ELISHA GOES TO DAMASCUS.

Elisha prepares for a journey — Description of Gilead and Bashan — Damascus — Description of Damascus — Benhadad sends Hazael to Elisha — Elisha's address to Hazael — Hazael kills Benhadad, and becomes king 142

10 CONTENTS.

CHAPTER X.

ELISHA SENDS A PROPHET TO ANOINT JEHU.

Page Elisha sends a prophet to anoint Jehu — Jehu proclaimed king — Jezebel killed, and devoured by dogs — Jehu destroys the temple and priests of Baal — His son reigns in his stead 152

CHAPTER XL

ELISHa's DEATH.

Nothing said of Elisha for forty-five years — What he was probably doing during this time — Elisha falls sick — King Joash visits him — Why he came to see him — Meaning of symbol — Elisha tells the king to take bow and arrows — He foretells victories over the Syrians — Elisha dies — Account of the death of good men in the Bible — Short examples — Of more consequence how we live than how we die — Reflections — A dead man restored to life by the bones of Elisha — God watches over the dust of his people 160

CHAPTER Xn.

ELIJAH AND ELISHA COMPAHED.

Things in which Elijah and Elisha were alike — Things in which they were unlike — God suits the talents and qualities of his people to their duties — Elijah's departure from the world resembled his life — Elisha's death similar to his life. 179

THE

LIFE OF ELISHA.

CHAPTER I.

EARLY HISTORY OF ELISHA.

Birth-place of Elisha — His parentage — Elijah chooses him for a companion — How they spent their time — Two things in which Elisha should be imitated — Elisha divides the waters of the Jordan.

The city of Abel-meholah. was situated near the foot of the mountains of Gilboa, in the fruitfal

Shechem •

•-.GiiboV country of Manasseh. It was a few miles west of the river Jordan, and was north-east of Shechem, and south-east of Samaria, which were the two principal cities in the land of Israel.

This was the city unto which a great army of the Midianites fled, when Gideon, with his three hundred men, armed only with trumpets, and lamps hidden in pitchers, drove them from the valley, by the hill of Moreh.

More than three thousand years after the creation of the world, and nine hundred and six years before the birth of Jesus Christ, there lived a man in Abel-meholah, whose name was Elisha. He was the son of Shaphat, who, it is supposed, was a rich man. But, though Shaphat was rich, he had not, like many inconsiderate fathers, suffered his son to grow up in idleness. Ehsha used to cultivate his father's fields, in the neighbourhood of Abel-meholah.

In that country, men were called rich who had a great deal of land, and many cattle and sheep, even though they had not much money. The Israelites were not in general a trading people. They lived chiefly by cultivating the ground, as farmers do in the present day. Farming was then, and is now, justly esteemed an honourable employment.

One day, as Elisha was ploughing

in the fields, with twelve yoke of B oxen, the prophet Elijah passed by. He came up close to Elisha, and threw his mantle upon him. In the east, people sometimes show their meaning by expressive actions, instead of explaining it by words. So Elisha understood, when the mantle was thrown over him, that Elijah wished to have him for a companion, and a successor in teaching the people. Elisha did not hesitate, or beg to be excused. Though his parents were dear to him, and the fields of Abel-meholah pleasant, he was willing to leave all, when God sent Elijah to command him to do so. He instantly left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said to him, '^ Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee." When Elijah had consented, Elisha returned, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh, and made a feast for his parents and friends : then he arose, and went after Elijah, and attended upon him.

Elijah and Elisha spent their time in privately instructing the Israelites, and in visiting and superintending the schools of the prophets, or the places where young men were preparing to become the spiritual teachers of the people.

There are two things in which Elisha ought to be imitated by all children and young persons.

One is his readiness to obey the

IB THE LIFE

commands of God, though they were difficult to obey. He was willing immediately to leave his father and mother, and the comfort and abundance in which he had been accustomed to live, and the pleasant fields and vineyards which he had cultivated. He consented to go with Elijah, who was a poor man; to be dependent upon charity for his support; to live upon the coarsest food ; and perhaps to lodge frequently in the open air, upon the ground. It was hard to do this ; but Elisha did it cheerfully. This shows that he loved God better than his friends, or any of his comforts.

There is another thing in which Elisha set a good example to young persons. It is in the affection and respect which he showed towards Ms parents.

Now, I am sorry to believe that any child can be so unfeeling and wicked, as to treat his parents with disrespect. But I am afraid there are many such. I have known some children who did not confide in their parents, or consult them about any of their plans or pursuits. They disregarded their advice, and disobeyed their commands. Nay, I have even heard of some who had so little sense of what is right and becoming, as to use unkind and insolent language to a father or a mother.

How different were the feelings and conduct of Elisha ! He remem-

B 2 bered the command of God, *' Honour thy father and thy mother." He remembered how his parents haJi loved and watched over him in infancy and childhood ; and how carefully they had instructed him, and supplied all his wants. He knew that it would grieve his father and mother to part with him, and he would not, though he had grown to be a man, leave them, even to become a prophet of God, till he had bade them an affectionate farewell. Elisha continued to attend upon Elijah for ten years. During that time, Ahab was killed in a battle with the Syrians ; and Ahaziah his son, who reigned after him, died, in consequence of a fall from the roof of the palace. Jehoram, another son of Ahab, was the next king.

Elijah, one of the best and greatest of the prophets, was now to be taken up to heaven. Elisha went with him over the Jordan, saw him ascend in a fiery chariot, and caught his mantle as it fell. Returning, he smote the waters of the Jordan with the mantle of Elijah, and divided them hither and thither, so that he went over on dry land.^ On his way to Jericho, he met fifty of the sons of the prophets, who belonged to the school in that city. They had probably seen him divide the waters of

* For a particular narrative of these events, see Lite of Elijah, published by the American Sunday-school Union, chap. xi.

the river, and understood that they must now render to him the respect and obedience which they had before given to Elijah. So they bowed themselves to the ground before him. They then asked permission to go and look for Elijah ; supposing that the Spirit of God might, perhaps, have cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. Elisha suffered them to go, because they insisted upon it, though he knew that it would be of no use. They sought three days for Elijah, but could not find him. Then they returned to Jericho.

OF ELISHA.

Chapter II. Description Of Jericho

Jericho — Description of the plain of Jericho — Unwholesome and bitter spring of water — Elisha casts salt into it, and makes the water sweet — Present appearance of this spring — Elisha goes to Bethel — Children mock the prophet — They are torn in pieces by bears — Children should respect good men.

Bethel*

The city of Jericho, where Ehsha spent a few days after the ascension of Ehjah, was twenty miles north-east of Jerusalem, and six miles west of the river Jordan. It was situated in the delightful plain of Jericho, which extended about ten miles along the Jordan, and the northern part of the Dead Sea. This plain was overhung, on all sides, by barren, rugged mountains. The mountains of Judea stretched out to the west and south-west, and far in the east rose the tops of Pisgah and Nebo. The mountains of Quarantania, in the west, were without verdure, and covered with sand, or chalky earth. In some places were steep cliffs, w^hich it was impossible to climb ; in others, the rocks were thrown about in such wild confusion, that it seemed as though an earthquake had torn and scattered them.

OF ELLSHA, 23

The plain of Jericho lay in smiling beauty at the foot of these desolated mountains. The bright waters of the Jordan rolled in graceful windings through green and flowery meadows. Its banks were fringed with tamarisks, and oleanders, and willows. Many cattle were feeding in the pastures, who, when the sun rose high in the heavens, would seek a shelter from the scorching rays, under the sycamore trees; or, perhaps, beneath some aged terebinth, whose large trunk, and wide spreading branches, and thick evergreen foliage, made it appear like the monarch of the forest. The towers of the city rose amid gardens of figs, pomegranates, citrons, and olives.

So many palm trees grew in and around it, that it was called the city of palms. The inhabitants cultivated, with great care, a shrub resembling a fir, from which flowed the precious balsam of Gilead. This balsam was so much valued as a medicine, that it was sold for double its weight in silver.

The sheltered valley of Jericho was warmer than any part of Palestine. The almond tree, one of the earliest blooming plants of spring, was covered with white blossoms several days sooner here than on the hills of Judea. Soon the plum-tree yielded its fruit, and the flowers of many bulbous plants appeared in the gardens and meadows. Swarms of wild bees were attracted by their fragrance. They formed the honeycomb in the hollows of the trees, or in the crevices of rocks. The honey often flowed down the trunks of trees, to the ground ; showing to persons who were passing by, where they might find a supply for themselves and their families.

The corn sprang up rapidly ; the ears ripened in the sun, and the earliest harvests in the land were reaped in the plain of Jericho. The vines were so luxuriant that they climbed to the tops of large trees, and, following and twisting around the branches, decked them with purple clusters. Later in the season, the heat was so great that it could scarcely be borne. The inhabitants of the city then retired to their coolest apartments, or reposed by the fountains in their courts. Here the scorching rays of the sun were shut out, by an awning stretched across the court, from roof to roof But when the day was past, and the refreshing winds of evening blew, they hastened to the tops of their houses, which they often made their lodging places for the night.

Notwithstanding the pleasant situation of Jericho, the only spring of water in the neighbourhood was unwholesome and bitter. Wherever it flowed, it made the land unfruitful, and caused the death of those who drank it. This was a great calamity to the inhabitants. Bad water is much more common in the east than in America. In this country, there are few places where good water cannot be obtained in great abundance ; and, in many places, there are sparkling fountains gushing out among the hills ; so that we are in danger of forgetting their value. A journey through the deserts of Africa, or Arabia, where travellers often perish from thirst, and where a rich man would sometimes give all his wealth for a cup of cold water, would teach us to be more grateful. And if we had been in Jericho, where the people, when overcome by the excessive heat, eould not obtain a drop of sweet water to quench their thirst, I think we should have been willing to exchange all the beautiful flowers and fine fruits of the city of palms, for the deep, cool, refreshing wells of our own country.

The men of Jericho were convinced, by what they had seen, that God had given to Elislia the same power of working miracles that Elijah had while he was upon the earth. So some of them came to Elisha, and said, '• Behold, I pray thee, the situation of the city is pleasant, as my lord seeth ; but the water is naught."

Elisha told them to bring him some salt in a new cruse or dish. They brought it, and he went out to the fountain of Jericho, which rises at the base of a low hill, or mound, west of the city, and near the foot of the mountains of Quarantania.

Elisha stood by the spring, and cast the salt into it, saying, " Thus saith the Lord, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence anymore death;" meaning, probably, they shall not any more cause death. Immediately the waters became sweet and wholesome, and they have remained so to this day.

Now, I cannot tell exactly how this fountain appeared, almost three thousand years ago, when Elisha cast salt into it. But persons who

c2 have lately been there, say that it is enclosed in a basin thirty feet long, and from fifteen to eighteen feet broad. This basin is lined, and partly paved with hev^n stone. On one side of it is an opening, through which the water pours out in a stream large enough to turn a mill. The waters of the fountain are cool, sweet, and transparent, and full of small fish. Large trees grow on its borders, intermingled with bushes bearing a kind of apple, about the size of a common plum, and of a yellowish colour. This fruit, though beautiful to the eye, is unpleasant to the taste, and said to be poisonous. The fountain is spread out like a beautiful mirror, under the shade, reflecting the trees on its banks, the bushes with their golden fruit, and the soft rich sky. It is so quiet and still, that these shadows scarcely seem to tremble, except w^hen a breeze stirs the thick boughs. But sometimes the smooth waters are disturbed by the pelican diving for fish, the stork wading in the shallow places in search of food, or some wandering Arab dipping his pitcher into the spring. The stream which issued out from the opening in the enclosure divided into several rivulets, that watered the gardens and plain of Jericho. How happy were the inhabitants when they tasted the water, and found that it was no longer bitter, nor unwholesome. The fountain has since been called the fountain of Elisha.

Though this was a time of great wickedness and idolatry in Israel, I trust there were many good men in Jericho, who gave thanks to the true God for the great kindness he had, shown them.

Elisha left Jericho, and went up to Bethel. When he came near to the city, the road led by the side of a wood. Perhaps he was then on the mountain which is east of Bethel. As he was passing quietly along, a great many children came out of the city, and began to mock him, saying, " Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head." Elisha turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord. I suppose Elisha was not angry at their treatment of him, but that God commanded him to do so, to teach other children not to be so wicked. These children meant to insult the prophet. They lived in Bethel, where the golden calf was worshipped. They had been trained up in idolatry, and probably hated Elisha because he was a prophet of God. Perhaps they had heard that Elijah had gone up into heaven, and they scornfully advised Elisha to follow him. It IS very wrong to ridicule others on account of any thing in their appearance that we do not like. Tt is much worse to ridicule them on account of their piety. When children do this, it shows that they are hardened in sin, and that they have been very badly brought up. God determined to punish these wicked children and their parents. He sent two bears out of the woods, and they tore in pieces forty-two of the children. This shows that he is very angry with those who despise and mock his faithful servants.

Children should learn, from this story, to fear God and to respect good men. When they are tempted to despise aged, or poor, or pious persons, let them remember the dreadful end of the forty-two children in the wood of Bethel.

Chapter III. Elisha Goes With The Army Against Moab

Jehoram reigns over Israel — The Moabites revolt — Jehoram and Jehoshaphat march against them — They are in great want of water — They consult Elisha — He foretells a supply of water — Water comes from the wilderness — The Moabites overcome, and their country conquered — The king of Moab sacrifices his son.

Jehoram, the king of Israel, was a wicked man. He was not quite so bad as his father and mother ; for he put away, for a time, the image of Baal. But he did not love God, or worship him aright. He suffered the people to sacrifice to the golden calves which Jeroboam had set up. Sometimes, when a king or a general conquers a country, he will not consent to withdraw his armies, or make peace, till the king or governors of the country he has conquered, promise to pay him a certain sum of money every year. This is called paying tribute. For one country to pay tribute to another is an acknowledgment of inferiority. King David conquered the Moabites, and the king of Moab had ever since paid tribute to the king of Israel, to the amovmt of one hundred thousand lambs and one hundred thousand rams, with the wool. After the death of Ahab, the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel, and refused to pay this tribute. Jehoram gathered together his

OF ELISHA.

armies to go and fight against the king of Moab. He sent and requested Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, to help him. Jehoshaphat consented; probably because his son had married the sister of Jehoram.

The round the southern part of the Dead sea, where they were joined by the king of Edom, who was tributary to the king of Judah. They then

D went northward, through the desert of Edom, towards Moab. This was a journey of seven days, through a terrible wilderness, and there was no water for the men or cattle. And the king of Israel said, " Alas ! that the Lord hath called these three kinjjs toQjether, to deliver them into the hand of the king of Moab !" Tb> horam had neglected to ask direction of God, before he went on this dangerous journey, though he might easily have done it. Yet he now complained that God had brought him into difficulty.

Jehoshaphat, who was a pious king, knew what it was right to do. He said, " Is there not here a prophet of the Lord, that we may inquire of the Lord by him ? And one of the king of Israel's servants informed him that EKsha, who nsed to pour water on the hands of Ehjah, had come along with the army. And Jehoshaphat said, " The word of the Lord is with him.'' So the king of Israel, and the king of Judah, and the king of Edom, went to that part of the camp where Elisha was. Elisha was indignant when he saw the wicked king Jehoram, who, he knew, would not have sought help from God, if he had not been in great distress. " And he said to the king of Israel, What have I to do with thee ? Get thee to the prophets of thy father and the prophets of thy mother. And the king of

Israel said unto him, Nay, for the Lord hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab. And Elisha said, As the Lord of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, surely were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, I would not look towards thee, nor see thee."

Elisha was much disturbed by seeing Jehoram, and by recollecting all the evil that had been done by the family of Ahab. He sent for a minstrel to play before him, that his mind might be composed by sweet strains of music, and prepared to receive a message from God to the three kings.

While the minstrel played, the

Spirit of God came over Elisha, and taught him what he should say. " And he said, Thus saith the Lord, Make this valley full of ditches. For thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain ; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle, and your beasts. And this is but a light thing in the sight of the Lord : he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand. And ye shall smite every fenced city, and every choice city, and shall fell every good tree, and stop all wells of water, and mar every good piece of land w^ith stones."

I suppose, after Elisha had said this, the soldiers of the army were

D 2 employed in digging ditches, as God had commanded. And the next morning at sunrise, just at the hour when the morning sacrifice was offered at the temple, at Jerusalem, there came water from the south ; so that the trenches and all the deep places in the valley were filled with water, and the people drank as much as they w^ished. In the mean time, the Moabites had heard that three armies had come against them; and they gathered all that were able to put on armour, and encamped on the border of their country. They rose up early in the morning, to prepare for battle, and when they saw the water in the A^alley, w^hich was commonly dry, the sun was shining across it in such a manner, that it looked like blood. Perhaps the soil was of a reddish colour, which helped to deceive the Moabites. They said to each other, *'This is blood; the three armies have surely quarrelled and slain each other ; now, let us go and take the goods from their camp."

They rushed hastily forward to rob the camp of their enemies ; and the Israelites and their allies waited till they came near. Then they attacked the Moabites, who were in such confusion that they could not defend themselves. Many of them were killed, and the rest fled to their own country. They shut themselves up within the brick walls of Kirhareseth on the south of the river Arnon.

This was their capital city, and is now called Kerek.

This city is on high ground, and is seen from Jerusalem. The allied armies passed over the rich and delightful country of Moab, destroying the cities, filling up the wells, cutting down the trees, and scattering stones over the fields. At last the king of Moab, having in vain attempted to break through the camp of the Edomites, grew desperate. He brought out his eldest son, who was heir to his crown, and, in sight of the people, offered him for a burntoffering upon the wall of Kirhareseth. This dreadful act filled every body with horror, and the Israelites and their allies retired to their homes. It was a custom among heathen nations, to offer human sacrifices to their gods, in times of great trouble. Some even offered their own children. This sacrifice was probably offered to Chemosh, which was the national idol of the Moabites.