Topical Bible: The Death of Saints: Elisha

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Topical Encyclopedia

Elisha, the prophet and successor of Elijah, is a significant figure in the Old Testament, known for his powerful ministry and numerous miracles. His death is recorded in 2 Kings 13:14-21, providing insight into the end of his earthly life and the enduring impact of his prophetic ministry.

Context and Ministry

Elisha's ministry took place during a tumultuous period in the history of Israel, marked by idolatry and conflict. He was called by God to be a prophet after Elijah, and his ministry was characterized by miraculous acts that demonstrated God's power and presence among His people. Elisha's miracles included the purification of water (2 Kings 2:19-22), the multiplication of oil (2 Kings 4:1-7), the raising of the Shunammite's son (2 Kings 4:32-37), and the healing of Naaman's leprosy (2 Kings 5:1-14).

The Death of Elisha

The account of Elisha's death is found in 2 Kings 13:14-21. The passage begins with Elisha suffering from an illness that would lead to his death. Despite his impending death, Elisha continued to be a source of guidance and strength for the king of Israel. In 2 Kings 13:14 , it is written, "When Elisha had fallen ill with the sickness from which he was to die, Jehoash king of Israel went down to see him and wept over him, saying, 'My father, my father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel!'"

Elisha's response to King Jehoash demonstrates his unwavering commitment to God's purposes. He instructs the king to take a bow and arrows and perform a symbolic act of victory over the Arameans. Elisha's prophetic words in 2 Kings 13:17 declare, "Open the east window," said Elisha. So he opened it, and Elisha said, "Shoot!" And he shot. Then Elisha declared, "This is the LORD’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Aram! For you shall strike the Arameans in Aphek until you have put an end to them."

Posthumous Miracle

Even after his death, Elisha's influence continued to be felt. In a remarkable posthumous miracle, a dead man was revived upon contact with Elisha's bones. This event is recorded in 2 Kings 13:20-21 : "And Elisha died and was buried. Now the Moabite raiders used to come into the land every spring. Once, as the Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a raiding party; so they threw the man’s body into Elisha’s tomb. When the body touched Elisha’s bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet."

This miracle serves as a testament to the enduring power of God working through His chosen servants, even beyond their earthly lives. Elisha's life and death exemplify the faithfulness and power of God, as well as the lasting impact of a life devoted to His service.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 13:14,20
Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash the king of Israel came down to him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Elisha's Closing Ministry
... in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." Psalm 116:15. "The righteous
hath hope in his death." Proverbs 14:32. With the psalmist, Elisha could say ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 21 elishas closing ministry.htm

There have Come to Me Ransomers from among the Saints, but None ...
... come to me ransomers from among the saints, but none ... The thief took the staff away
and returned; Elisha came and ... Adam from life, and it hindered death from the ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xxxix there have come.htm

Conclusion of the Work.
... For "precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." [3332] And ... For
even Elisha the prophet, after he was fallen asleep, raised up a dead man ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec vi conclusion of the work.htm

The Call of Elisha
... Elisha asked not for worldly honor, or for a high place ... Elijah was a type of the
saints who will be living on ... at the last trump," without tasting of death.1 1 ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 17 the call of.htm

Departure from Ireland. Death and Burial at Clairvaux.
... his hand was to the dead hand what Elisha was to ... We loved in life, how have we been
divided in death? ... Not the Festival of All Saints, for that had already come ...
/.../chapter viii departure from ireland.htm

Letter cix. To Riparius.
... in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints?" [3029] If dead men's bones
defile those that touch them, how came it that the dead Elisha raised another ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cix to riparius.htm

Synopsis. --Arbitrary Criticism of the Biblical Narratives of the ...
... accepted resuscitation as veritable restoration from actual death. ... between the miracles
related of Elisha and those ... Catholic legends of great saints here seems ...
/.../miracles and supernatural religion/iii synopsis arbitrary criticism of the.htm

A Cloud of Witnesses.
... escaped the edge of Ahab's sword.[309] Elisha's faith saw ... ascribed in the eleventh
chapter to the saints of the ... 322] that they, through fear of death, were all ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter xiii a cloud of.htm

Gentleness Succeeding Strength
... shall not be from thence any more death or barren ... it was answered; and it was because
of Elisha's trust, not ... addressed to Him as the God of saints and martyrs ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/gentleness succeeding strength.htm

The Resurrection.
... have been known by the prophets and saints of God ... Elisha by it could tell what was
done in the ... circumstantially prophesy of Christ's birth, his death, his burial ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xxv the resurrection.htm