2 Kings 2:23-24

2 Kings 2:23-24

Why were 42 children mauled by two bears in the story of Elisha?

Elisha was followed by 42 children outside of the city of Jericho.

Usually children are not found outside of cities, nor do they usually go out of the city walls

by themselves. Forty Two children following a man outside of the city pass the city walls into the woods or wilderness where two bears could eat them or kill them would mean that these children had followed Elisha out into the wilderness unattended or supervised. The most reasonable and logical explanation for this occurrence in the Holy Bible would be because the children more than likely were a gang of homeless, street children. This would explain them going out of the city following a strange man, harassing him. Although the words that are used by the children are fairly simple. They more than likely were saying for Elisha to perish. It also being the city of Jericho would also have something to do with the occurrence.

English Standard Version

Joshua laid an oath on them at that time, saying, “Cursed before the LORD be the man who rises up and rebuilds this city, Jericho. “At the cost of his firstborn shall he lay its foundation, and at the cost of his youngest son shall he set up its gates.”

Joshua 6:26

The greater aspect of the story is how the welfare and spiritual life of Israel and Judea were in shambles or upheaval due to the upheaval of the prophetic order of Israel’s prophets during the reign of Ahab and Jezebel, having to do with the Baals, and Ashtoreths and the idol god deities that were setup in the land.

The likeliness of what had occurred in the verse, being a major topic of discussion in threads and forums;

Has been used as an argument as to God being not good, or as a general atheist debate and discussion.

What is said is that how can God be good if he allows 42 children to be killed by bears.

The likeliness of this answer is that the children were more than likely a gang of street children or homeless children which were harassing Elisha because they were going to follow, kill, and take whatever Elisha had.