The Double Portion Prophet

Elijah said to Elisha,
“Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.” 2 Kings 2:9

It’s interesting to study the lives of these two servant prophets and the amazing miracles the Lord worked through them. In the Scriptures there are records of 10 miracles for Elijah and 20 for Elisha. Elisha asked for a “double portion,” and it was granted.

In the previous stories we’ve seen some of Elijah’s miracles. We will now have some of the great miracles in Elisha’s life. Presenting to the children each of the stories it’s important to emphasize that God is the same today; he can now do the same, and greater things. We saw this in Jesus’ promise that I referred to last week.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” John 14:12-14

Miracles performed through Elisha

Parting of the waters at Jordan (2 Kings 2:13-15)
Healing the bad waters (2 Kings 2:19-22)
Mountain bears tear 42 boys (2 Kings 2:23,24)
The country is filled with water (2 Kings 3:15-20)
Victory over Moab (2 Kings 3:18-27)
The widow’s oil (2 Kings 4:1-7)
A son for the Shunammite (2 Kings 4:12-17
The Shunammite’s son raised from the dead (2 Kings 4:32-37)
Deadly stew is purified (2 Kings 4:38-41).
Multiplication of 20 bread for 100 men (2 Kings 4:42-44)
Healing of Naaman’s leprosy (2 Kings 5:1-14)
Gehazi punished with leprosy (2 Kings 5:25-27)
The ax head floated (2 Kings 6:1-7)
Declaration of war secrets (2 Kings 6:8-12)
The servant’s eyes are opened (2 Kings 6:13-17)
The blinded Syrian army (2 Kings 6:18)
Syrian army taken captive (2 Kings 6:19-23)
Healing of the Syrians’ blindness (2 Kings 6:20)
Miracles in the siege of Samaria (2 Kings 6:31–7:20)
Elisha’s bones revive a dead man (2 Kings 13:20-21)

A common problem is bullying. This account of the bald prophet shows how seriously God considers bullying and how He punished it. Use this biblical account (2 Kings 2:15-25) to talk to the children about this problem. We have dealt with this subject in a previous story.

See: Andy and the Coals of Fire

Welcome to read story #12: Miracles through the Bald Prophet

Elisha with Elijah’s cloak