Scripture Helps

2 Kings 2–7

Elijah was taken to heaven without experiencing death, and Elisha then took up Elijah’s mantle of prophetic leadership. Elisha received a double portion of the spirit that had been upon Elijah, and he performed many miracles during his ministry. The kings of Israel and Judah prevailed in battle when they obeyed Elisha’s counsel. The Lord blessed a widow who came to Elisha for help. Naaman the Syrian was healed of leprosy when he followed Elisha’s counsel. Elisha helped Israel defend themselves against the Syrian army by revealing their war plans. The Syrian king sent an army to destroy Elisha, but the Lord protected Elisha. Elisha’s servant was blessed by the Lord to see the horses and fiery chariots of the heavenly army protecting them.

Resources

Note: The citation of a source not published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not imply that it or its author is endorsed by the Church or represents the official position of the Church.

Background and Context

What is the book of 2 Kings?

The books of 1 and 2 Kings were originally one book, known as the book of Kings. They were separated into two books beginning with the Greek translation of the Bible. The book of 2 Kings continues the historical accounts of the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. It also outlines the causes of the scattering of Israel.

Because of the people’s wickedness in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, they were conquered by Assyria around 722 BC. In the Southern Kingdom of Judah, some of the kings mentioned in 2 Kings were faithful and obedient, but there were many who were wicked. One of these wicked kings was King Manasseh, whose disobedience caused Judah to lose its divine protection. Babylon conquered the Southern Kingdom and carried its people into captivity in 586 BC, fulfilling Lehi’s prophecy that Jerusalem would be destroyed.

The book of 2 Kings describes the events that took place during the ministries of several notable prophets. Prophets in the Northern Kingdom included Elijah, Elisha, Hosea, Amos, and Jonah. In the Southern Kingdom, the prophets included Isaiah, Jeremiah, Obadiah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, and Lehi.

The book of 2 Kings can be organized into the following sections:

Chapters 1–9: The ministry of Elisha in the Northern Kingdom of Israel following Elijah’s ascension into heaven.
Chapters 10–17: The reigns of several wicked kings in both Israel and Judah. During this time, the Northern Kingdom was conquered by the Assyrians, and its people were carried away into captivity.
Chapters 18–25: The reigns of the righteous kings Hezekiah and Josiah and the ministry of the prophet Isaiah in Judah. Babylon eventually invaded Judah and took many people captive.

2 Kings 2:9–10

What might it mean that Elisha wanted a double portion of Elijah’s spirit?

Elisha regarded Elijah not only as a teacher but also as a father. In Israelite tradition, the birthright son was traditionally given a double portion of his father’s inheritance. By requesting a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, Elisha may have been referring to these birthright customs to express his willingness to become Elijah’s spiritual successor. Elisha may have also been asking for an added measure of the Holy Ghost to help him in his prophetic role.

2 Kings 2:11

What does it mean that “Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven”?

Elijah was taken into heaven without dying, which means he was translated. Translated beings are people whose bodies are “changed so that they do not experience pain or death until their resurrection to immortality.” Elijah later appeared as a translated being on the Mount of Transfiguration to help give the keys of the priesthood to Peter, James, and John. Later, Elijah also appeared as a resurrected being to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple to confer the keys of the sealing power.

the translation of the prophet Elijah — Elijah Ascending into Heaven, by William Henry Margetson

2 Kings 2:12–13

What was significant about Elijah’s mantle falling to Elisha?

Elijah’s mantle, or robe, was a symbol of his authority. This mantle is first mentioned in 1 Kings 19, when Elijah placed it upon Elisha to designate him as Elijah’s successor. The mantle falling to Elisha as Elijah was taken into heaven symbolized Elijah’s prophetic calling and authority officially being passed to Elisha. The “sons of the prophets” recognized Elisha’s prophetic authority after he parted the Jordan River just as Elijah had done. They proclaimed, “The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha.”

Regarding the passing of the prophetic mantle in our day, President Spencer W. Kimball taught:

“The work goes forward—and one prophet succeeds another. … Upon Elisha fell the mantle of Elijah. And likewise, the mantle of Joseph Smith fell on Brigham Young when he seemed to be transformed before the people who seemed to hear the voice of Joseph and see the person of Joseph. This remarkable miracle was attested to by great numbers of people. The mantle of Joseph fell from Brigham to John Taylor, to Wilford Woodruff, to Lorenzo Snow, to Joseph F. Smith, to Heber J. Grant, to George Albert Smith, and to our Prophet today.”

2 Kings 2:23–24

What do we know about Elisha cursing the youth?

As Elisha departed for Bethel, he was opposed by a group described as “little children” in the King James Version of the Bible. The Hebrew text indicates that these were not young children but older youths or even young men. It is unknown why they harassed Elisha or what their specific insults meant. But Elisha’s curse upon them and the subsequent bear attack indicate that their actions were serious and deeply offensive. This event may have also been a warning to Israel that the judgments of God would come upon them if they continued to reject His prophets.

2 Kings 3:11–15

Why was Elisha upset?

When the Moabites rebelled against the Northern Kingdom of Israel, King Jehoram asked for help from Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. Together with the king of Edom, the three united to stop the Moabite rebellion. After the three kings and their armies had traveled together for seven days, they found themselves without water for the soldiers and animals.

Jehoshaphat, who was a follower of Jehovah, brought the other kings with him to Elisha for guidance. Elisha was irritated by the presence of Jehoram, whom he thought of as an idolatrous king. Elisha mockingly advised Jehoram to seek the counsel of the false prophets of his father, Ahab. A minstrel, or harpist, was then called to soothe Elisha, and he eventually agreed to seek the Lord’s direction for the kings. The Israelites followed Elisha’s inspired instructions and defeated the Moabites in battle.

2 Kings 4:1

Why were the woman’s sons going to be sold as slaves?

Anciently, when a person was unable to pay a debt, the labor of the debtor’s children could be used as payment for the debt. This is likely why the woman’s sons were being sold as slaves. The law of Moses required that Israelites in bondage be treated the same as hired workers and released every seven years. However, the practice of debt slavery was often abused. The custom of paying off a debt through servitude was apparently still practiced in Jesus’s time, as He referred to it in one of His parables.

To learn more, see “Deuteronomy 15:12–18. What do we know about slavery in Old Testament times?”

2 Kings 5:1

Who were the Syrians?

The King James Version of the Bible uses the Greek word Syrian to refer to the Arameans, or the people of Aram. These were descendants of Shem’s son Aram. The Old Testament describes many interactions and conflicts between the Israelites and the Syrians, beginning at the time of Abraham. The ancient nation of Syria was located mostly north of Israel. It was conquered by King David and remained under Israelite control until after the death of King Solomon. The Syrians’ language, Aramaic, eventually became the prevailing language in the Holy Land and was the language Jesus Christ spoke. Syria was later conquered by both the Assyrians and the Romans.

2 Kings 5:1–14

What were some of the significant details about Naaman’s healing?

Naaman was a military leader who was afflicted with leprosy. The term leprosy can refer to a variety of chronic skin diseases. Naaman’s specific condition and its severity are not known.

This account highlights the faith and humility required for Naaman, “a mighty man in valour,” to be healed. For example, servants of low social status helped guide Naaman to Elisha and encouraged him to follow the prophet’s counsel. Additionally, Naaman expected Elisha to heal him directly and immediately rather than sending a messenger to instruct him to wash seven times in the muddy Jordan River.

Despite his initial resistance, Naaman demonstrated humility and faith in Jehovah by following Elisha’s instructions. When he was healed, Naaman declared, “Now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel.” The Savior later used Naaman’s example to rebuke His own people for their lack of belief in Him.

person splashing water on face — “Thou Shalt Be Clean,” by Eva Timothy

2 Kings 5:17–19

Why did Naaman want to carry loads of soil from Israel to Syria?

A common belief in many ancient cultures was that a god could be worshipped properly only within his own lands. Naaman wanted to bring Israelite soil into his homeland so he could feel justified in worshipping Jehovah there. Elisha told Naaman to go in peace, evidently accepting the sincerity of his conversion.

2 Kings 6:15–17

What can we learn about heavenly help from Elisha’s experience with his servant?

Referring to Elisha and his servant being surrounded by the Syrian army, President Jeffrey R. Holland taught:

“If Elisha is looking for a good time to be depressed, this is it. … It is one prophet and one lad against the world. And the boy is petrified. He sees the enemy everywhere—difficulty and despair and problems and burdens everywhere. … With faltering faith the boy cries, ‘Alas, my master! how shall we do?’ [2 Kings 6:15].

“And Elisha’s reply?

“‘Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them’ [2 Kings 6:16]. …

“In the gospel of Jesus Christ you have help from both sides of the veil and you must never forget that. When disappointment and discouragement strike—and they will—you remember and never forget that if our eyes could be opened we would see horses and chariots of fire as far as the eye can see riding at reckless speed to come to our protection. They will always be there, these armies of heaven, in defense of Abraham’s seed.”