The second chapter of second Kings kicks off a series of miracles performed by Elisha, the Lord’s prophet who has succeeded Elijah.  In 2 Kings 2.23-24, Elisha is walking past the city of Bethel when he is accosted by a band of boys who jeer at him, calling him a “baldhead.”  Elisha turns around and curses them in the name of the LORD, causing two bad bears to come out of the woods and maul 42 of the boys.

This story always gets a good laugh when it is noted that this is the first recorded biblical instance of youth group ministry. 

Unfortunately, there are darker undertones to the story.  Bethel was one of the sites where Jeroboam had constructed golden calves (1 Kings 12.25-13.10) to lead Israel astray.  Subsequent kings of Israel were judged on this particular standard – they did not take down the idols called the “sin of Jeroboam the son of Nebat” (2 Kings 3.3).

It is therefore sad but not surprising that young people from apostate Bethel would be so disrespectful toward adults. A pack of fifty or more unsupervised, name-calling, older children roaming the region reflected poorly on their parents and probably presented a safety concern to all travelers.

Even worse, their insolence toward a prophet of God was to dishonor God himself.  Hopefully the swift response to the curse “in the name of the LORD” woke up some of the youth, letting them see that the One True God is not to be trifled with.