Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 13
At the end of his life, Elisha did not rise into heaven as Elijah, his prophet (holy man) and teacher had done (2:11). Rather, Elisha died, as other people do. However, God provided extraordinary evidence that Elisha’s spirit remained alive in heaven (Ecclesiastes 12:7; Mark 12:26-27). God also showed that he cared even about the body of his dead servant (Deuteronomy 34:6; Psalm 116:15; 1 Corinthians 15:42-44; Jude 9). This astonishing event proved that God was continuing to work in Israel, even after the death of Elisha.
It was not the custom in ancient Israel to bury bodies in the soil. Instead, the people typically used a cave, or they dug a cave in the rock. They would place the body inside the cave; and they would wrap it with cloth and plants that had a sweet smell. Then they would roll a large stone in front of the cave.
Some time after Elisha’s death, a group of men were burying the body of a man. It was the custom to carry out the funeral just a few hours after the death. However, when they reached the graves, they suddenly saw a group of robbers from Moab.
Such robbers were very dangerous, but the men wanted to bury their friend properly. So, they quickly opened one of the graves, and they placed the body inside it. It was the grave of Elisha.
It seems extraordinary that God would use a dead body to give life to a person. However, that is what happened. The body of the man who had just died, touched the bones of Elisha. At that moment, God’s Holy Spirit caused the man to become alive again. He stood up and, clearly, he ran away from the robbers with his friends.
Next part: God's promises to Israel continue (2 Kings 13:22-23)
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