Elisha was a prophet in the Bible who succeeded Elijah. He was known for his miracles and his unwavering faith in God. However, his life came to an end when he fell sick with an illness that ultimately led to his death. The question that arises is what sickness killed Elisha in the Bible? 
The Bible does not provide a clear answer to this question. However, several theories attempt to explain the cause of Elisha’s illness. One theory suggests that Elisha’s illness was a result of his old age. According to this theory, Elisha was around 80 years old at the time of his death, and his body simply gave in to the natural process of aging.
Another theory suggests that Elisha’s illness was a punishment from God. According to this theory, Elisha had become prideful and arrogant due to his miraculous powers, and God decided to humble him by afflicting him with a sickness. While these theories are interesting, there is no concrete evidence to support them. The exact cause of Elisha’s illness remains a mystery, and it is up to interpretation.
Elisha’s Role and Miracles
Elisha was a prophet in the Bible who succeeded Elijah. He was known for the numerous miracles and healing works that he performed during his time as a prophet. Elisha’s name means “God is salvation,” which is fitting given his role as a prophet.
Healing Works of Elisha
Elisha was known for his healing works, which he performed through the power of God. One of his most well-known healing miracles was the healing of Naaman, a Syrian commander who was suffering from leprosy. Elisha instructed Naaman to wash in the Jordan River seven times, and he was healed of his leprosy [1 Kings 5:14].
Another healing work of Elisha was the resurrection of the Shunammite woman’s son. The woman had provided Elisha with a room to stay in whenever he was in town, and as a reward, Elisha prayed to God to give her a son. However, the son died suddenly, and Elisha was able to bring him back to life [2 Kings 4:8-37].
Elisha’s healing works were not limited to physical ailments. He was also able to heal a poisoned pot of stew by adding flour to it [2 Kings 4:38-41]. Additionally, he was able to provide a widow with enough oil to pay off her debts and provide for her family [2 Kings 4:1-7].
Overall, Elisha’s role as a prophet was to spread the word of God and perform miracles that demonstrated God’s power and love for his people. Through his healing works and other miracles, Elisha was able to bring comfort and hope to those who were suffering.
The Death of Elisha
Elisha’s Final Illness
Elisha was a prophet who succeeded Elijah in the northern kingdom of Israel. He was known for his miracles, including healing the sick and raising the dead. However, like all mortals, Elisha eventually fell ill and died.
The Bible does not provide a specific diagnosis for Elisha’s illness, but it is clear that it was a terminal one. According to 2 Kings 13:14, “Now Elisha had been suffering from the illness from which he died.” The verse does not provide any further details about the nature of the illness.
Biblical Account of Elisha’s Death
Despite his illness, Elisha continued to prophesy until the end. According to 2 Kings 13:15-19, Elisha gave Joash, the king of Israel, instructions on how to defeat the Arameans. He told Joash to shoot an arrow out of the east window of his palace, and then to strike the ground with the remaining arrows. Elisha explained that this symbolized Joash’s victory over the Arameans.
After this, Elisha died and was buried. The Bible does not provide any further details about his death or burial.
It is not clear at what age Elisha died, as the Bible does not provide his birthdate. However, based on the fact that he was already a grown man when he was called by Elijah (1 Kings 19:19), it is likely that he was at least in his 50s or 60s when he died.
In conclusion, Elisha died of a terminal illness, but continued to prophesy until the end. His death is recorded in 2 Kings 13:14-19, which also provides details about his final prophecy to Joash.
Pastor David is a great speaker who tells us stories from the Bible in a way that relates to our lives today. He helps us grow in our faith.