Elisha: The Storyteller Collection

By R.S. Helman

THE STORYTELLER COLLECTION
A Captivating Storybook Set As Well As
A Unique Childrens Bible Curriculum
Whether reading at home or in a classroom setting, children will be fascinated with the true-life stories of Elisha, part of The Storyteller Collection.
In this descriptive account of the prophets experiences, each section begins with a short, inspiring tale, followed by questions, answers, and complementary activities neatly suited for one child as well as many children to completeand all in one book!
Parents and teachers will likewise find the lessons refreshingly straightforward and simplesimple to understand and put into practicenot based on personal opinion or assumption, but chock full of exciting biblical fact.
Moreover, to implement the exercises, you wont need to make expensive purchases or spend a lot of time gathering excessive materials. What you will need is a passion for the truth and the use of your God-given imagination.

Other books available in The Storyteller Collection
Elijah
Esther

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jul 25, 2013
• ISBN: 9781449793906

R.S. Helman

R.S. Helman, known as Beck to her family and friends, has presented her own material as a music and program director for an array of children’s classes, Bible school programs, and summer camps. In addition to her passion for teaching and storytelling, she has enjoyed fulfilling her role as a mother of two and providing services as a freelance editor and writer.

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Copyright © 2013 . R.S. Helman.

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Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com  The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Scripture taken from the Amplified Bible, Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

ISBN: 978-1-4497-9391-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-9392-0 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-9390-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013908010

WestBow Press rev. date: 7/23/2013

Contents

Introduction

Part One

Saying Good-bye

Part Two

Silly Ideas, Salty Water, and Sassy Boys

Part Three

When Kings Fight Over Sheep

Part Four

One’s Water Is Another’s Blood

Part Five

Please Save My Sons!

Part Six

In Return for Her Kindness

Part Seven

Only the Prophet Will Do

Part Eight

Too Much Stew and Not Enough Bread

Part Nine

A Crazy Cure for a Dreadful Disease

Part Ten

Is It Really Too Much to Ask?

Part Eleven

An Iron Tool and an Unlikely Traitor

Part Twelve

So They May See

Part Thirteen

The Siege of Samaria

Part Fourteen

Saved by a Sound

Part Fifteen

A Prophet Regarded by Kings

From

The Book of First Kings

chapter 19

and

The Book of Second Kings

chapters 2 through 8

and chapter 13

Introduction

T he following stories really happened. They are true accounts that have been written and passed down over thousands of years for all the children of the world to read. The names in these writings are real names and have not been changed to protect the innocent or the guilty.

These stories include significant details taken directly from the Holy Bible. Conjecture of what might have happened or any other possibilities or personal opinions have not been added; nor are make-believe people, places, or circumstances inserted. The exact information presented in the Scripture alone always makes for an exciting adventure.

If you are preparing a lesson to teach to a child or a group of children, simply and slowly read these tales aloud with emotion, interest, and the excitement that they contain; children appreciate the art of storytelling and will be encouraged to give their attention, as well as read along.

At the end of each chapter you will find a few simple questions and answers for review, as well as an exercise or activity that complements the story and emphasizes the lesson to be learned. To implement these exercises or activities, you will not need to make expensive purchases or spend a lot of valuable time gathering excessive materials. What you will need is a passion for the truth and the use of your God-given imagination.

Part One

Saying Good-bye

O nce upon a time, in the kingdom of Israel, there lived a man whose name was Shaphat—pronounced like the word shawl followed by the word fat. Whenever you read his name, you emphasize the second part— fat —so that you say, shawl-FAT. Although you may think this a peculiar name, Shaphat was a fairly common title for a man in the nation of Israel. It meant to judge or to rule. And his name fit perfectly, for he was a wealthy landowner who employed many men to work in his fields.

It was springtime, the time of year when the earth comes back to life and the field hands prepare the ground for planting. That very morning, the workers had hooked the plows to twelve pairs of huge, dark oxen. The calm animals usually moved at a slow pace, yet they could be somewhat frightening. Their bulky bodies weighed over a thousand pounds, and a pair of sharp, curved horns jutted out from each one’s head. Intimidating for sure, but very valuable, because the oxen did work that no man could do alone—hauling huge loads and pulling heavy, primitive equipment that would dig up and turn over great amounts of dirt.

Once the ground was plowed, seeds would be planted. In time, those seeds would sprout into fine crops, and when they were fully grown, the workers would harvest or cut the plants so that families would have nourishing food to prepare and eat.

Not only were the workers out in the fields on this fine day, but Shaphat’s own son was helping to plow the land, driving a pair of oxen as well. His name was Elisha. Elisha’s name meant God is salvation. Let’s say it again: God is salvation. And he had been named appropriately as well, for even while he labored in his father’s fields, he loved and served the one true God.

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The morning had started out just like any other day. The responsibilities of a field hand were not difficult to understand, but actually doing the work was another matter. Not only was it physically demanding, even backbreaking, but it could be monotonous as well—planting row after row after row. And while it was just another ordinary workday for the laborers in the field, for Shaphat’s own son it was about to become quite extra-ordinary.

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All of a sudden, Elisha sensed the weight of something that had been tossed upon his shoulders, and just that quickly, he pulled on the reins to bring the huge pair of animals to a halt. As he turned to find out what had caused the interruption, he was astonished to see none other than the great and mighty prophet—a man who had been given a name much like his own. It was Elijah who had just crossed the field to purposely throw his own coat over Elisha’s back, yet the older man had already turned and was walking away!

Elisha barely had time to think. Even so, at that very moment, he understood it was most important that he change not only the path of his plow but the direction of his entire life as well. Instantly, he dropped the reins and hurried after the prophet, earnestly calling out to him.

Master, would it be too much trouble if I first go and kiss my father and mother good-bye before I leave with you?

The request was a reasonable one, and Elijah was a reasonable man.

Yes, go ahead and do what you need to do, the prophet replied.

So, Elisha went to say farewell to his family. His job was finished in the fields, and because he no longer needed the animals or his tools, he slaughtered the beasts and burned the plowing equipment upon which he cooked the meat of the oxen. Later, he served the food to some people nearby. Then, on that very same day, Elisha set off on a remarkable journey.

Rather than learn a skill from a tradesman or listen to a teacher at school, Elisha began a most unusual type of education. He obediently followed the experienced prophet, and for the next several years, he continued to serve Elijah, who had been instructed by the one true God to find and train Elisha to take his place. Indeed, what grand and even strange stories the great man of God had to share. (If you haven’t already heard all the wondrous adventures of Elijah the Tishbite, you might want to read the book, Elijah, another part of The Storyteller Collection.)

Elisha grew exceptionally attached to his beloved instructor, and the time passed by faster than he would have liked. All too soon, Elisha realized that the one true God would be taking Elijah away, and naturally, he was overwhelmed at the thought of losing his mentor and friend.

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Gilgal—that was the town the two men had most recently visited. The name Gilgal meant a circle of stones, and Elisha was now preparing to leave this place of stones, attending to the prophet, just as he had done many times before. But on this occasion, his master had something else in mind.

God has spoken to me, Elijah began, and as you are aware, He has directed me to go on to Bethel. But I want you, Elisha, to stay here in Gilgal.

Elisha couldn’t believe what he had just heard the prophet say. Stay here in Gilgal? After all this time, was Elijah really suggesting that he stay behind rather than join his master for the next part of the journey? Just the mere thought of no longer traveling with his cherished friend was quite unsettling, and immediately he burst out, Just as our one true God lives and just as you live, I will not leave you! And that was a promise Elisha intended to keep.

Elijah did not argue, and they both continued on their way.

Later that day, when the two travelers arrived at the town of Bethel, they were met by a group of prophets who also worshipped the one true God. When these men had a chance to speak with Elisha, they quietly asked, Elisha, do you know that the Lord God will be taking away your master today? You do realize, don’t you, that very soon, Elijah will no longer be with you to supervise and watch over you?

Yes, I already know that, Elisha bluntly replied. "And I do not want you to