וְהָיָ֗ה הַנִּמְלָ֛ט מֵחֶ֥רֶב חֲזָאֵ֖ל יָמִ֣ית יֵה֑וּא וְהַנִּמְלָ֛ט מֵחֶ֥רֶב יֵה֖וּא יָמִ֥ית אֱלִישָֽׁע׃
Wer dann dem Schwerte Hasaëls entrinnt, den wird Jehu töten, und wer dem Schwerte Jehus entrinnt, den wird Elisa töten.
From David to Destruction
As uncomfortable as we may be with this, the fact is that Elisha is destined to be involved in some violent activity. Hashem at Har Choreiv tells Eliyahu HaNavi that Elisha, along with Chaza’eil and Yeihu, will eliminate the sinners in Israel (Melachim I 19:17). Rashi (ibid.) notes that this is fulfilled when the bears devour the forty-two taunters.177It should be noted that the Pesukim relate only that forty-two of the taunters were killed by the bears. It is possible that there were more than forty-two instigators. It is most reasonable to assume that Eliyahu HaNavi informs Elisha about this Nevu’ah. Presumably, given the severity of the insults, Elisha feels that this is the appropriate situation in which to fulfill this mission.