During the dark days of the northern kingdom of Israel, God raised up two remarkable prophets: Elijah and his successor Elisha. Their stories, told in 1 Kings 17 – 2 Kings 13, are full of dramatic miracles, bold confrontation and tender care for ordinary people.
The setting
After Solomon's death, the kingdom split. The northern kingdom, Israel, quickly turned to idolatry. Under King Ahab and his foreign wife Jezebel, the worship of Baal — a Canaanite god of storm and fertility — was promoted throughout the land, and the Lord's prophets were persecuted. Into this crisis stepped Elijah, whose name means "My God is the LORD".
Elijah
Drought and provision (1 Kings 17)
Elijah announced to Ahab that there would be no rain except at his word — a direct challenge to Baal, the supposed god of rain. During the drought, God fed Elijah by ravens at the brook Cherith, and then through a poor widow at Zarephath, whose jar of flour and jug of oil never ran out. When her son died, Elijah prayed and God restored him to life.
The contest on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18)
After three years, Elijah challenged the 450 prophets of Baal to a contest on Mount Carmel. Each side would prepare a sacrifice and call on their god to send fire. Elijah challenged the people: "How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him" (18:21).
The prophets of Baal cried out all day, but "there was neither voice, nor any to answer". Elijah then rebuilt the altar of the Lord, had water poured over the sacrifice three times, and prayed a simple prayer. "Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice" (18:38). The people fell on their faces and cried, "The LORD, he is the God." Soon after, rain returned.
Discouragement and the still small voice (1 Kings 19)
Immediately after this great victory, Jezebel threatened Elijah's life, and he fled into the wilderness in despair, asking to die. God cared for him gently — giving him sleep, food and water — and then met him at Mount Horeb (Sinai). There was wind, an earthquake and fire, but the Lord was not in them. Then came "a still small voice" (19:12).
God reminded Elijah that he was not alone — seven thousand in Israel had not bowed to Baal — and gave him new tasks, including calling Elisha.
Naboth's vineyard (1 Kings 21)
When Ahab and Jezebel had an innocent man, Naboth, killed to seize his vineyard, Elijah confronted the king with God's judgement. God cares about justice for ordinary people.
Taken up to heaven (2 Kings 2)
Elijah did not die. As he and Elisha walked together, "there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire… and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven" (2:11).
Elisha
A double portion
Before Elijah was taken, Elisha asked for "a double portion of thy spirit" (2 Kings 2:9) — the inheritance of a firstborn son. He took up Elijah's mantle and began his own ministry, which lasted about fifty years.
Miracles of mercy
Elisha's miracles often met the needs of ordinary people:
- The widow's oil (2 Kings 4:1–7) — a poor widow's small jar of oil kept flowing until she had enough to pay her debts.
- The Shunammite woman (4:8–37) — a woman who showed him hospitality was given a son; when the boy died, Elisha raised him to life.
- Feeding a hundred (4:42–44) — a small amount of bread fed many, with some left over.
- Naaman healed (chapter 5) — Naaman, a Syrian army commander, was healed of leprosy after washing seven times in the Jordan. Jesus mentioned Naaman to show God's grace to outsiders (Luke 4:27).
- Open eyes (6:8–23) — when an enemy army surrounded Elisha, his servant was afraid. Elisha prayed, and the servant saw the hills "full of horses and chariots of fire". Elisha said, "they that be with us are more than they that be with them" (6:16).
Elijah in the New Testament
- Malachi promised that God would send "Elijah the prophet" before the day of the Lord (Malachi 4:5). Jesus said this was fulfilled in John the Baptist, who came "in the spirit and power of Elias" (Luke 1:17; Matthew 11:14).
- Elijah appeared with Moses at the transfiguration of Jesus (Matthew 17:3).
- James uses Elijah as an example of powerful prayer, reminding us he was "a man subject to like passions as we are" (James 5:17).
Lessons from Elijah and Elisha
- Stand for God even when the majority goes the other way.
- There is no neutral ground — "How long halt ye between two opinions?"
- God cares for us in discouragement — with rest, food and his quiet presence.
- You are never alone in faithfulness.
- God cares for ordinary people — widows, children, the sick and even foreigners.
- God's unseen protection surrounds his people.
Continue with the kings of Israel and Judah, or go back to Solomon and the temple.