Episode 146: God sends bears to rip apart 42 boys

2 Kings 2

Elijah goes to heaven in a chariot of fire

2 ¹ God sent Elijah and Elisha to Bethel.

³ When they arrived at Bethel, the sons of the prophets said to Elisha,

Do you know God is taking your master away today?

Elisha answered, "Yes, I do. But be quiet about it."

⁴ Then God sent them to Jericho.

⁵ When they arrived in Jericho, the sons of the prophets said to Elisha,

Do you know God is taking your master away today?

Elisha answered, "Yes, I do. But be quiet about it."

⁶ Then God sent them to the Jordan River.

⁷ Elijah, Elisha, and fifty sons of prophets stood by the Jordan River while Elijah took off his mantle and smote the river.

⁸ Then he and Elisha walked across on dry land.

⁹ Elijah said to Elisha, "What would you like me to do for you before I'm taken away?"

Elisha said, "I'd like a double portion of your spirit."

¹⁰ Elijah said to him,

That won't be easy.

But if you see me when I'm leaving, you'll get your wish.

¹¹ While they were talking, a chariot and horses of fire appeared and took Elijah to heaven in a whirlwind.

¹² Elisha cried out, "My father, my father" and tore his clothes into two pieces.

^13-14 Then he picked up Elijah's mantle, smacked the waters of the Jordan river, and said, “Where is Elijah’s god?” Then he walked across the river on dry land one more time.

Elisha heals Jericho's water supply

¹⁹ The men of Jericho came to Elisha and said to him, "We have no water and can't grow anything."

²⁰ Elisha said, “Bring me a new bowl and put some salt in it.” And they did that.

²¹ Elisha went to the spring, threw in some salt, and said,

This is what God says: "I have healed these waters."

²² And the waters were healed, and they still are to this day.

God sends two bears to rip apart 42 little children (for making fun of Elisha's bald head)

²³ As Elisha was walking from Jericho to Bethel, some little children saw him and mocked him, saying, “Go up, baldhead. Go up, baldhead.”

²⁴ Elisha cursed them in the name of God.

And two female bears came out of the forest and tore apart 42 of the children.