2 Kings

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NASB	2 Kings 2:24 When he looked behind him and saw them, he cursed them in the name of the LORD. Then two female bears came out of the woods and tore up forty-two lads of their number.
AMPLIFIED 2015	2 Kings 2:24 When he turned around and looked at them, he cursed them in the name of the LORD. Then two female bears came out of the woods and tore to pieces forty-two of the boys.

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Bible Question:
Verse 23 says "Then he (Elishs) went up from there to Bethel; and as he was going up by the way, young lads came out from the city and mocked him and said to him, 'Go up, you baldhead; go up, you baldhead!'"

Was it right to Elisha to curse the children for teasing him?

Why did he curese them?

Did they deserve to die?

Bible Answer: "2:19-25 The miraculous powers of Elisha are both beneficent (purifying the water source in Jericho (2:21)) and harmful (causing the death of the children who teased him (2:24)). His destination was the capital of the northern kingdom: Samaria" (Cambridge Annotated Study Bible)

"Prayer, Curse—See note on vv. 1:10, 12. All prayer must reflect the mind of God. If a blessing is possible, a curse must also be possible. God had said He would curse those who cursed Abraham (Ge 12:3). The outworking of God’s kingdom depends on the strictures, guidance, and care He places around His chosen instruments. Apostasy in the Northern Kingdom had not been eliminated by Elijah’s work. Elisha showed the strong hand of God in judgment. Curse was the outworking of the covenant against disobedience (Lev 26; Dt 26-28)." (Disciple's Study Bible)

"2:23-24 The incident is typical of Israel’s attitude toward the prophets of God (cf. 2 Chr 36:16). The designation “baldhead” may have been simply a term of scorn (Isa 3:17, 24), or a derogatory name for prophets, who may have characteristically shaved a portion of their hair. The taunt “Go up” is probably not a reference to Elijah’s ascension, which occurred near Jericho. They may have meant “go away.” The verb is used in this way in 2 Kin 12:18 (cf. also Num 16:24, 27; 2 Sam 2:27). Dwelling at a center of apostate calf-worship (1 Kin 12:26-33; 13:1-5; 2 Kin 23:15-20), the people could expect few kind words from a prophet of YAHWEH. One must consider the wickedness which must have prevailed throughout Bethel, as is exhibited when the adolescents in their ridicule insulted even the prophet of God. Thus, this incident was an attack upon the Lord Himself. Elisha’s response to it was not ill-temper or revenge, but judgment (cf. 1 Kin 20:36). The “youths” (, Heb.) were certainly of a morally responsible age." (Believer's Study Bible)

"Children The word (translated “little children” v. 23) specifies no definite age. It is used of Joseph at seventeen (Gen 37:2), and of Benjamin (Gen 43:8) and Absalom (2 Sam 18:5). The word (translated “tare”) indicates the infliction of serious wounds but does not mean kill or destroy. The gravity of the offense is seen from these factors: (1) the young men mocked the features of Elisha, the man of God; (2) by saying, “Go up, thou baldhead,” they were scoffing at Elijah’s translation (v. 11), the offense in itself implying that the offenders were above the age of childhood; and (3) in ridiculing the man of God, they were guilty of blaspheming the God he represented." (New Scofield Study Bible)

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Does teasing deserve the death penalty? (?)

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"2:19-25 The miraculous powers of Elis...

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2 Kings