Elisha

Elisha, name means "God is salvation." Son of Shaphat, of Abel—meholah the prophet who succeeded Elijah as God's special envoy to the northern kingdom of Israel. His ministry as pastor—prophet spanned the reigns of Jehoram (Joram), Jehu, Jehoahaz, and Jehoash of the northern kingdom, and thus lasted from at least 852 b.c. to about 798 b.c. a period of more than half a century. On the national scene he completed the eradication of Baal worship begun by Elijah, counseled the king of Israel on national policy, and took an intense personal interest in the problems and needs of the individuals with whom his ministry brought him into contact.

He supervised the so—named "schools of the prophets" founded 2 centuries. earlier by Samuel, and thus made what was perhaps his greatest single contribution to the spiritual life of the nation. In the presence of need he was ever solicitous and largehearted in the presence of a limited understanding of the divine will he was tolerant and patient in the presence of danger he manifested firm, unflinching courage in the presence of evil he was stern and severe without being vindictive. Whereas Elijah tended to be ascetic in dress and diet, in place of abode, and in his limited contacts with people—at least insofar as the record goes—Elisha lived close to the people he served, and loved social life.

Unlike the life of Elijah, who appeared on the stage of sacred history for a few striking events, Elisha's life is recorded as a steady ministry during which he constantly ministered to the needs of his fellow men as individuals, as well as to the spiritual life of the nation as a whole. Although for a time there seems to have been an encouraging response on the part of the nation to his leadership as a prophet, the reforms he set in motion were short—lived and did not prevent the complete dissolution of the northern kingdom some 75 years after his death.