Topical Bible: Children: Wicked: Children at Beth-El

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Topical Encyclopedia

The account of the wicked children at Beth-El is a sobering narrative found in the Old Testament, specifically in 2 Kings 2:23-25. This passage recounts an incident involving the prophet Elisha shortly after he succeeded Elijah. As Elisha journeyed from Jericho to Bethel, a group of young boys came out of the city and mocked him, saying, "Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!" (2 Kings 2:23).

Context and Background

Beth-El, meaning "House of God," was a significant location in Israel's history, often associated with both worship and idolatry. By the time of Elisha, it had become a center for idol worship, particularly the worship of golden calves established by Jeroboam (1 Kings 12:28-29). This spiritual decline likely influenced the behavior and attitudes of its inhabitants, including the children.

The Incident

The term "young boys" in this context refers to a group of youths, possibly teenagers, who displayed a profound disrespect for Elisha, a man of God. Their taunt, "Go up, you baldhead," was not merely an insult about Elisha's appearance but a derisive challenge to his prophetic authority, possibly mocking the recent ascension of Elijah, Elisha's mentor, into heaven (2 Kings 2:11).

Elisha's Response

Elisha's reaction to the mockery was severe. He turned around, looked at them, and pronounced a curse in the name of the LORD. Subsequently, two female bears emerged from the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys (2 Kings 2:24). This event underscores the seriousness with which God regards the respect due to His prophets and, by extension, His word.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, this passage highlights several key themes:

1. Respect for God’s Anointed: The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of respecting those whom God has appointed as His messengers. The disrespect shown by the children was not merely against Elisha but against God Himself.

2. Judgment and Accountability: The swift and severe judgment meted out to the children illustrates the principle of divine justice. It serves as a warning that actions, especially those that mock or challenge divine authority, have consequences.

3. Cultural and Spiritual Decline: The behavior of the children reflects the broader spiritual decay in Israel at the time. Their actions can be seen as a symptom of a society that had turned away from God, highlighting the impact of cultural and religious influences on the younger generation.

Lessons for Today

The account of the children at Beth-El serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of instilling respect for God and His representatives in the younger generation. It also emphasizes the need for communities to uphold and teach godly values, ensuring that children grow up with a reverence for the divine and an understanding of the consequences of their actions.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Kings 2:23,24
And he went up from there to Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said to him, Go up, you bald head; go up, you bald head.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Abraham --The Father of the Faithful.
... in Canaan, but he came back to Bethel, where he ... him, God promised him that his
children's children should grow ... who lived there were so very wicked, and Abraham ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter iii abrahamthe father of.htm

The Story of the Tower of Babel
... hill near Bethel and pitched his tent with Bethel on one ... But the men of Sodom were
very wicked and sinned against ... will give to you and to your children forever ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the story of the tower.htm

Samuel, the Child of Prayer
... Then the children of Israel ... the Lord." While Samuel was offering up prayer for these
wicked Israelites, the ... year to year to go in circuit to Bethel, Gilgal and ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bounds/prayer and praying men/ix samuel the child of.htm

The Assyrian Captivity
... prophesy not again any more at Bethel: for it ... Grievously had the children of Israel
"sinned against the ... and wrought wicked things." "They would not hear, but ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 23 the assyrian captivity.htm

The Story of Jacob
... walked in the way of the idols and became wicked. ... to your children after you; and
your children shall spread ... And Jacob named that place Bethel, which in the ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of jacob.htm

The Testament of Levi Concerning the Priesthood and Arrogance.
... spirits of the retributions for vengeance on the wicked. ... And when we came to Bethel,
my father Jacob ... observe whatsoever I command you, children; for whatsoever ...
/.../iii the testament of levi concerning.htm

Second Sunday after Epiphany
... Christ gives striking illustrations of such perseverence in the parable of the wicked
judge (Luke 18), and ... And Elisha cursed the children of Bethel.2 Kings 2 ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/second sunday after epiphany.htm

The Woman of Samaria
... from Samaria; and he came and lived at Beth-el, and taught ... and some of them even
burnt their children in the ... him, Jeroboam, and Ahab, and many a wicked king of ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxvi the woman of.htm

Instruction for the Ignorant:
... Wo unto the wicked, it shall ... he also burned up all the little children which were
in Sodom; and because upon a time the little children at Bethel mocked the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/instruction for the ignorant .htm

How Samuel when He was So Infirm with Old Age that He could not ...
... the one at the city of Bethel, and the ... us an evident example and demonstration how
some children are not ... good and moderate, though born of wicked parents; and ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 how samuel when.htm