Elisha
The prophet who succeeded Elijah, called from ploughing with twelve yoke of oxen and asking for a double portion of his master's spirit as Elijah was taken up. His ministry is marked by everyday miracles as much as confrontations with kings: a widow's oil that filled every jar, a poisoned pot made wholesome, an axe head floating, the Shunammite's son raised, and Naaman the Syrian commander cured of leprosy in the Jordan. He guided Israel through wars with Aram, and even his bones were remembered as life-giving.
What we know — and how we know it
Bukvoed — CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
ArchaeologyAn inscribed potsherd bearing the name 'Elisha' was found at Tel Rehov in a 9th-century BC layer — the era of the prophet — though it cannot be tied to him personally.
Where in scripture
1 Kings2 KingsLukeGod said to him, “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have you asked for riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice;
1 Kings 3:11
King Solomon was king over all Israel.
1 Kings 4:1
Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, “I have heard the message which you have sent to me. I will do all your desire concerning timber of cedar, and concerning cypress timber.
1 Kings 5:8
Solomon was building his own house thirteen years, and he finished all his house.
1 Kings 7:1
Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, with all the heads of the tribes, the princes of the fathers’ households of the children of Israel, to king Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of Yahweh’s covenant out of David’s city, which is Zion.
1 Kings 8:1
When Solomon had finished the building of Yahweh’s house, the king’s house, and all Solomon’s desire which he was pleased to do,
1 Kings 9:1
Anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi to be king over Israel; and anoint Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah to be prophet in your place.
1 Kings 19:16
He who escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill; and he who escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill.
1 Kings 19:17
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, a public-domain translation.
Family
In their own words — 45 recorded sayings
“And letting the oxen be where they were, he came running after Elijah, and said, Only let me give a kiss to my father and mother, and then I will come after you. But he said to him, Go back again; for what have I done to you?” — 1 Kings 19:20
“And Elijah said to Elisha, Come no farther for the Lord has sent me to Beth-el. But Elisha said, As the Lord is living and as your soul is living, I will not be parted from you. So they went down to Beth-el.” — 2 Kings 2:2
“And at Beth-el the sons of the prophets came out to Elisha and said, Has it been made clear to you that the Lord is going to take away your master from over you today? And he said, Yes, I have knowledge of it: say no more.” — 2 Kings 2:3
“Then Elijah said to him, Come no farther, for the Lord has sent me to Jericho. But he said, As the Lord is living and as your soul is living, I will not be parted from you. So they went on to Jericho.” — 2 Kings 2:4
“And at Jericho the sons of the prophets came up to Elisha and said to him, Has it been made clear to you that the Lord is going to take away your master from over you today? And he said in answer, Yes, I have knowledge of it: say no more.” — 2 Kings 2:5
“Then Elijah said to him, Come no farther, for the Lord has sent me to Jordan. But he said, As the Lord is living and as your soul is living, I will not be parted from you. So they went on together.” — 2 Kings 2:6
“And when they had come to the other side, Elijah said to Elisha, Say what you would have me do for you before I am taken from you. And Elisha said, Be pleased to let a special measure of your spirit be on me.” — 2 Kings 2:9
“And when Elisha saw it he gave a cry, My father, my father, the carriages of Israel and its horsemen! And he saw him no longer; and he was full of grief.” — 2 Kings 2:12
…and 37 more recorded sayings.
Speaker attribution: Clear Bible MACULA (CC BY 4.0). Wording: Bible in Basic English (public domain).
Events
In art
