The National tribune., 1885-10-22
SUNDAY MEDITATION.
Practical Duties Taught by Study Of the Inter
national sunday School Lesson Appointed TO
Nov. lie Ei., I3 1925.

Nov. 1.-2 Ei., I3: 1875.
Zone reading these notes should first carefully
study the paragraph from tie Holy Scriptures as
Indicated above.
We cannot do better for our next lesson than
to give geographic sketch of Elisha.
The name, Elisha, is Hebrew, and means, God
his salvation. In the New Testament it is printed
Eliseus. (Lu., 4 :27) The name of Elisha's
father was Shaphat. His mother is mentioned,
II hi. 10: 20,l but no name is given. lie was
probably born about 926 B. c., at Abe-meho olat.
tribe of lssachar, being Jew. We do not read
of any of his ancestors or descendants. We
know little Of the education of Elisha. 1t was
probably like that of the generality OF jewish
youth of his day. He was likely celibate.
When called by Elijah he wanted to bid his
parents "goOd-by!" If married, we would
surely find in the account some allusion to his
wife. Then, ills plain, he had no home of his
own, but lived with his parents when Elijah S
mantle fell on him. His religion was the Jew
ish faith, the doctrines taught by Moses lie,
however, probably never went to the temple.
He was doubtless crcumcised. The Kingdom
of Israel being separated from that of Judah
and he living In the first, he probably never
kept the grand feasts of the passover and the
pentecost. He was a farmer; indeed, he was
in the act of driving oxen when called to the
prophetic Office. After that his ministerial
work probably required all of his time. He
We would suppose he was, when youth, in
fair financial condition. As Prophet his in
come would not be great. He lived through
seven years of famine. No mention is made
as to how he gained livelihood then or, indeed,
during any time of his ministry. He is never
represented as i'll want. Politically, he was
citizen of the Kingdom of Israel, and as such
probably loyal, save when conscience forbade.
We first find Elisha at Abel-mehoIah. Elijah
goes to him and calls him to he his successor.
He finds him plowing with oxen. The form
OF call was the casting about Elisha OF Elijah S
mantle. He asks privilege to take formal
leave of his home. He then made feast with
his parents and neighbors-kisses his father
and mother-and then follows Elijah. All we
know of him for the next years is that he aided
Elijah and accompanied him. But now Elijah
is about to depart and leave Elisha to proceed
alone.
Elijah aud Elisha set out from Gilgal. The
latter could not be persuaded to allow the for
mer to ascend without witnessing the scene.
He wanted TO pass with him his last hour on
earth. The two went to Bethel to part with a
school established by Elijah. Then they pass
on to Jericho for the same purpose. The
students, intimating to Elisha he was about
to lose Elijah, he begs them not to mention the
matter. Away they go to the Jordan, which,
obeying the stroke of Elijahs mantle, opens
into highway. Over the two walk on, talk
ing, when suddenly a chariot bears Elijah
away, his mautie dropping on Elisha. In an
swer to Elisha's request for double portion of
Eiijahs spirit, God responds in such bestow-
meat.
Now begins Elisha's work. He is principal.
He is prompt. He returns to the Jordan. With
flourish of Elijahs mantle the river divides,
inviting Elisha across. He goes to Jericho. The
pupils of the prophetic schools own him at once
as successor 10 Elijah. Reluctantly. because he
1-fx- ti,.aY,,
he consents to let 80 pupils 60 and search for
Elijah. He puri6es the water supplies of the
city. Then he passed on to Bethel. On the
way az children, while In the act of insulting
Elisha, are torn to pieces by two bears He
goes to Mt. Carmel and on to Samaria. Con-
suited by the Kings of Judah, Israel and EdOm
as to whether to fight against the King of
Moab, he expresses indignation at their want
ing to consult God AS TO war, whom i'll all mat
tiers they were Except the King of Judah un-
der the influence of Baai. but consents, out of
consideration for Judah's King, to advise.
Probably stirred up by the impertinence of
BaaiiteS and kcathen counssling him, he needs
comPosure for propheSying, and so seeks the
soothing influence OF music. He bids them
go, and toretellS success. Great abundance of
water gathers over the region, filling up all
bitches. When the Moabites looked over to-
ward the armies of the three Kings the streams
seemed red as though tinged with blood. They
think terrible battle has been fought, imagin-
ing the Kings of Israel Judah and Edom have
quarreled among themselves. Thus miSled,
they approached and were utterly routed.
A woman in great distress, because parties
whom she owed were going to sell her two sons,
is relieved by Elisha supplying her oil in such
abundance she could pay her debts.
Elisha goes to Gilgal. Neutralizes poison in
food. Fed 100 with 20 loaves and soa1e corn.
Then he went to Samara. Hearing Of the
distress of the King in the matter of Naaman,
he sends word for the General to be sent to
him. He restored him to health Refused any
pay. Inflicted leprosy on Gehazi for lying and
c0yetousneSs.
Went to the Jordan to fell beams for house
for himself aud pupils. Caused ak to swim.
Now we fnd Elisha at Dothan. He is sus-
pected by Benhadad of telling Jehoram the
devices OF the Syrian army, and plans are laid
to take his life. Soldiers surround Dothan.
Efi5ba's servant is greatly in fear next morning
whom on rising he sees TIE city inclosed by Sy
rian horses and chariots. The Prophet bids the
servant not fear, and prays God to give the SER
want a vision Of the resources from Heaven for
the protection Of Israel. Smo;e Syrians with
blindness, conducted them to Samaria, opened
their eyes, chided Jehoram for proposing to
STAY them, orders them to be feasted and dis
missed. He probably returned to Dothan.
Jchorarl, thinking the famine of seven years
in Samaria due to Elisha attempts to kill him.
The Prophet foretoid the end of the famine.
We have now reached the closing days of the
Prsphet's life. We think him at Shunem. He
sickens. His health has been good. We do not
read of his indisposition till the disease which
proved fatal. lie may have expected TO pass
from life in way similar to his predecessors
Like Elijah, lie had been TO Israel as Q chariot
and hOrsemeu in war. The King knew this
and was deeply concerned He visited Elisha.
Seeing how weak he was, and conscious he must
soon lose the Prophet, he wept. Elisha even on
his deathbed proved his patriotism, his loyalty
to his King, and also his prophetic power. By
a sort of object teaching he showed Jehoash
he was to overcome the Syrians under Hazael.
We do not know the disorder which proved
mortal to Elisha. He was probably about 80
years of age. He died 637 B. c.. He had been
Prophet for about 20 years. The corpse was
deposited in sepulchre.
Let US notice the practical thoughts gotten in
special by our study Of XII, 13 %
/. Not old age nor great piety can escape sick
ness and death. ". IA
2. Weeping at the dcathbeds Of persons dear
TO us is proper ". IA.
3. Good men are public beneft-are to
nation what chariots aud horses are in battle.
(V. IA
4. Object teaching is a good ddactic method
Tvs. 15-19.)
6. We do not act in our own strength alone.
". 16) Elisha put his hands on the Kings
hands, showing that in shooting preaching,
working. we need Gods blessing and aid.
T. We limit our own blessings. The King
stopped at shooting three arrows. (Vs. IS, 19.)