Modified Defence Notes:

The Previous Acts of Elijah in Bethel and the Character of Elisha

To determine if self-defence is a feasible motive, I would like to know the Bethel Boys perspective of Elijah. That was one of the last places he was seen alive, so there must have been some history between himself and those people. And if they truly thought he was murdered and were so up-in-arms about it, they must have a strong motive to harm the suspected murderer.

Even if the mauling is found to be a form of self-defense, I must honestly determine Elisha’s justification in using violence. With all of his new power, there must have been other ways to de-escalate the situation. I also want to know how much damage he did to the “mob.”

If Elisha used excessive force to protect himself, I need to determine if God should be held liable for Elisha’s actions. What would inform this is the standard that was established in Elijah, how Elisha was trained to handle such conflicts, and if Elisha’s actions align with those teachings/model of behavior.

Character of Elijah

• Elisha’s mentor who “disappeared”
• Who was he?
• How was he known to others? (Specifically the people of BETHEL)
• Why did he want Elisha to leave him alone on his last day?
• Why did he travel to Jericho and Bethel that day? What did he tell the people there? Why did he choose a place across the Jordan to meet the Lord?
• How did he train Elisha?

Described as a Tishbite from Gilead. First appearance in 1 Kings 17. He was an enemy of King Ahab and “stood before the Lord to curse the land to drought.” The Lord led Elijah to travel and provided food and drink for him. In Zarephath, Elijah calls upon the Lord to help him save a widow’s son.

Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is the truth.” (1 Kings 17:24)

The Lord commands Elijah to meet with King Ahab, when he does, all of Israel and the prophets from false religions meet him on Mount Carmel for a competition. There, Elijah proves before all of those witnesses that the Lord is THE GOD of Israel.

And so it was, at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, “Cry aloud, for he is a god; either he is meditating, or he is busy, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened.” (1 Kings 18:27)

After the victory, Elijah has the false prophets executed, and proclaimed that the rain would come back. He told his enemy to eat and drink, and Ahab did, he went to pray for the rain with “his servant”, he told Ahab to get in his chariot and go, then he ran and beat the chariot to Jezreel.

Elijah may have big dogged Ahab, but he was terrified of Jezebel. Hearing of his victory and the killing of Baal prophets, she vowed to kill Elijah.

And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. (1 Kings 19:3)

While on the run from Jezebel, an angel encourages Elijah to eat up and he spends 40 days and nights in the wilderness. One night, in Horeb, he is staying in a cave and the Lord appears. Elijah confesses that he is concerned. He believes that all of his previous actions were justified by his passion for the Lord, but now he sees that he is the last prophet left and he is afraid that he will be killed by Jezebel.

Then the LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD. Behold, the LORD is about to pass by.” (1 Kings 19:11)

Elijah does not immediately do as he is told. He continues hiding in the cave.

Meanwhile, The Lord sends heavy winds, an earthquake, fire…but He is none of those things. When they all pass, He remains and presents himself as a “still, small voice.”

Elijah starts moving to leave the cave where he hides, but hesitates still. He repeats his concerns. He has been so passionate for the Lord, but it seems to him that everyone else has either rebelled or been killed. And now he’s afraid he’s going to die [if he continues his zealous faith].

The Lord tells Elijah to go, appoint kings and his successor Elisha. And he notes that despite Elijah’s claim that everyone else has been rebellious or dead, there are still many people who haven’t kneeled down to false idols. Reassuring Elijah that faithfulness does not equate to death.

When Elijah does as intructed, his call to Elisha is very subtle. He only wraps his cloak around him, he doesn’t even ask Elisha to follow him. It seems he doesn’t even want to bring him into this life. But Elisha is eager. He says his goodbyes and feeds his people, then goes to follow Elijah.

So Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and then I will follow you.”
“Go on back,” Elijah replied, “for what have I done to you?” (1 Kings 19:20)

What can be gleaned from the character of Elijah?

He was known by many witnesses to be “THAT guy” (respectfully), and he would send away his servant to protect them and/or to pass in private, he was also a bit reckless with his power. The drought he called for likely had negative impacts on people besides his enemy–such as the widow and her son. He was there to save them, but the drought had resulted in them not being able to eat. How many other people did starve because of that drought? He also showed himself to be a showboater. His victory over the false prophets of Baal did not come without boasting, taunting, and even out-running a chariot rather than summoning an animal to ride. But he did not want to see his people get hurt. He does save the widow’s son and tries to protect his servant and Elisha from getting wrapped up in his troubles.

How does Elijah’s recklessness and showboating impact the case?

This reveals that Elisha likely did have pride and arrogance within him, which does not bode well for proving he did not use excessive force in mauling the Bethel Boys. It does not bode well for God’s allowance for him to inherit double the power Elijah had. If he was not well trained in righteousness and too immature to handle the power, Zac’s judgement seems valid.

HOWEVER

If Elijah’s servant is not always with him. He got left behind in Beersheeba. Whether Elisha is that servant or not, He/both of them are like the many other people who saw Elijah’s miracles and showboating, but not the behind-the-scenes work. Noone was in the wilderness with Elijah for 40 days and nights and would not know of any emotional/spiritual growth that occured during that time. Elisha could only be considered as immature because he did lack that experience and mostly admired Elijah’s perceived greatness–like the other people of Israel.

**Why did God allow Elijah to “retire” early rather than defeat Jezebel himself?**

After his great defeat over Ahab’s false prophets, why would a threat from Jezebel bother Elijah so much? And with all of Israel witnessing the failure of Baal, why would Elijah think he was all alone?

So Ahab summoned all the Israelites and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. (1 Kings 18:20)
When all the people saw this, they fell facedown and said, “The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!”

Then Elijah ordered them, “Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let a single one escape.” So they seized them, and Elijah brought them down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered them there. (1 Kings 18:39-40)