Elisha Steps Into His Calling – The Beginning of a New Chapter (2 Kings 2:13–25)
When Elijah was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind, it marked the end of one era and the beginning of another. His student, Elisha, was now the prophet of Israel. But how would people know that God was truly with Elisha? The answer comes quickly in the next part of the story.
Elisha Takes Up Elijah’s Cloak
After Elijah was taken away, Elisha picked up his cloak—the same one Elijah had used to part the Jordan River. This cloak was more than just a piece of clothing. It was a symbol that God’s power and calling had now passed to Elisha.
Elisha walked back to the Jordan River and struck the water with the cloak, just as Elijah had done earlier. The water parted again, and Elisha crossed over on dry ground. This miracle showed that God was now working through Elisha, just like He had with Elijah.
The Prophets Search for Elijah
When Elisha returned, a group of prophets from Jericho came to meet him. They could see that God’s spirit now rested on Elisha, but they still struggled to accept that Elijah was truly gone. They begged Elisha to let them search for him, thinking maybe Elijah had been dropped off somewhere by the whirlwind.
Elisha told them not to go, but they kept insisting. Finally, he gave in. After searching for three days, they found nothing. Elisha was right—Elijah had truly been taken by God. This moment showed that while Elisha knew what had happened, others still needed time to fully trust his leadership.
Healing the Water in Jericho
The people of Jericho came to Elisha with a problem. Their water looked clean, but it was making people sick and hurting their crops. They needed help.
Elisha asked for a bowl of salt. He went to the source of the water and threw the salt into it, saying that God had healed the water. From that day on, the water was safe. This miracle showed that Elisha wasn’t just a prophet with power—he cared about people and helped meet their everyday needs.
A Warning at Bethel
As Elisha continued his journey, he came near the town of Bethel. A group of boys came out and began mocking him, calling him names and making fun of him for being bald. They weren’t just teasing—they were showing disrespect toward Elisha and the role God had given him.
Elisha turned and spoke a curse in the name of the Lord. Suddenly, two bears came out of the woods and attacked the boys. It was a shocking moment, but it carried a clear message: disrespecting God and His messengers is a serious matter.
A New Chapter Begins
This part of Elisha’s story shows that God was fully with him. From performing miracles to standing firm against disrespect, Elisha was stepping into his calling with strength.
The message is clear: when God chooses someone to lead, He gives them the power and wisdom they need. And for the people watching, it’s a reminder to respect those God has put in place—and to trust that God continues His work through new leaders.
2 Kings 2:13-25 (WEB)
2:13 He also took up Elijah’s mantle that fell from him, and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan. 14 He took Elijah’s mantle that fell from him, and struck the waters, and said, “Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” When he also had struck the waters, they were divided apart, and Elisha went over.15 When the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho facing him saw him, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” They came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him. 16 They said to him, “See now, there are with your servants fifty strong men. Please let them go and seek your master. Perhaps the LORD’s Spirit has taken him up, and put him on some mountain or into some valley.”He said, “Don’t send them.”17 When they urged him until he was ashamed, he said, “Send them.”Therefore they sent fifty men; and they searched for three days, but didn’t find him. 18 They came back to him while he stayed at Jericho; and he said to them, “Didn’t I tell you, ‘Don’t go’?”19 The men of the city said to Elisha, “Behold, please, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees; but the water is bad, and the land is barren.”20 He said, “Bring me a new jar, and put salt in it.” Then they brought it to him. 21 He went out to the spring of the waters, and threw salt into it, and said, “The LORD says, ‘I have healed these waters. There shall not be from there any more death or barren wasteland.’ ” 22 So the waters were healed to this day, according to Elisha’s word which he spoke.23 He went up from there to Bethel. As he was going up by the way, some youths came out of the city and mocked him, and said to him, “Go up, you baldy! Go up, you baldy!” 24 He looked behind him and saw them, and cursed them in the LORD’s name. Then two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of those youths. 25 He went from there to Mount Carmel, and from there he returned to Samaria.