2 Kings 2:24 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 2:19-25

Elisha had, in this respect, a double portion of Elijah's spirit, that he wrought more miracles than Elijah. Some reckon them in number just double. Two are recorded in these verses?a miracle of mercy to Jericho and a miracle of judgment to Bethel, Ps. 101:1. I. Here is a blessing upon the waters of Jericho, which was effectual to heal them. Jericho was built in disobedience to a command, in defiance to a threatening, and at the expense of the lives of all the builder's children; yet, when it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:24

And he turned back, and looked on them ,.... With a stern countenance, thereby reproving them, and in order to intimidate them, and make them ashamed, and cause them to leave off, but to no purpose; they repeated their mockeries with great vehemence: and cursed them in the name of the Lord ; moved thereunto, not from passion and a spirit of revenge, but by an impulse of the Spirit of God: and there came forth two she bears out of the wood ; which are fiercest, and especially when... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:1-25

THE REMOVAL OF ELIJAH FROM EARTH , AND SOME EARLY MIRACLES OF ELISHA . The great prophet of Israel was to have a departure from earth as marvelous as his life had been. Ewald's words, though not intended in an historical, but only in a literary sense, embody very forcibly what the humble believer may accept as the actual rationale of the occurrence related in 2 Kings 2:1-12 : "An earthly career which had no equal in the purity of its devotion to the service of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:14-24

The signs of a teacher sent from God. No man is entitled to assume the position of a teacher sent from God of his own mere motion, or without some external authorization. "How can men preach, except they be sent ?" ( Romans 10:15 ). Where an organization has been established by Divine agency, human authorization, the mission of those to whom the power of mission has been assigned, is sufficient. But where there is no such established Church system, the commission has to be given directly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:19-25

The historian passes to the record of some of Elisha's minor miracles, belonging to the time whereof he is writing, and helping to explain the position of dignity and respect which he is found to occupy in the next chapter ( 2 Kings 2:11-14 ). The miracles showed his twofold power, both to confer benefits and to punish. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:23-25

Ridicule. "And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going," etc. These verses lead us to consider ridicule in three aspects. I. AS INFAMOUSLY DIRECTED . 1. Directed against an old man on account of his supposed personal defects . "Go up, thou bald head!" This meant, perhaps, "Go up, as Elijah has gone, if thou canst; we want to get rid of thee." Though baldness of the bead is not always a sign of age, Elisha was undoubtedly far advanced in years. Nothing is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:23-25

The mockers at Bethel. This miracle, in contrast with the preceding, is one of judgment. Its apparent severity has made it a stumbling-block to many. The deed is one in "the spirit of Elias" in the harsher sense, and leaves a painful impression. But the painful aspect of the miracle need not be made greater than it is, nor must it be overlooked that the occasion was one when some display of the "severity of God" was necessary. I. NATURE OF THE SIN . Elisha, going up to Bethel,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:24

And he turned back, and looked on them ; rather, and he looked behind him , and saw them , as in the Revised Version. The boys, after the manner of boys, were following him, hanging upon him, not daring to draw too near, hooting him from behind, as ill-bred and ill-intentioned youths are apt to do. And cursed them in the name of the Lord. The action cannot be defended from a Christian point of view—Christians have no right to curse any one. But we can well understand that, under the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Kings 2:24

On this occasion only do we find Elisha a minister of vengeance. Perhaps it was necessary to show, at the outset of his career as a prophet, that he too, so mild and peaceful could, like Elijah, wield the terrors of God’s judgments (1 Kings 19:19 note). The persons really punished were, not so much the children, as the wicked parents 2 Kings 2:23, whose mouth-pieces the children were, and who justly lost the gift of offspring of which they had shown themselves unworthy. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Kings 2:24

2 Kings 2:24. He looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord “The word curse has in Scripture three different acceptations. It signifies, to inflict a curse; and in this sense God is said to have cursed the ground after the fall. It signifies, to wish a curse; and in this sense Shimei is said to have cursed David. Lastly, it signifies, to pronounce, or foretel, a curse or punishment; and in this sense Elisha is said to have cursed the children. The historian... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 2:19-25

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:24

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:1-25

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:14-24

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:19-25

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:23-25

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:23-25

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 2:24

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Kings 2:24

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Kings 2:24

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