Single lesson
Elisha and Jericho's Water
2 Kings 2:19–22
The men of the city asked Elisha for help, and the Lord healed their bad water.
Before you teach
The men of the city came to Elisha with a serious problem. The city was pleasantly situated, but its water was bad and the land was unfruitful. They told him plainly what was wrong. Elisha told them to bring a new jar and put salt in it. They brought it to him, and he went out to the spring of the waters. Then he threw the salt into the spring.
Describe the central teaching of Elisha and Jericho's Water, using two details from the reading. The men of the city asked Elisha for help, and the Lord healed their bad water.
Welcome: Elisha and Jericho's Water
4 minIntroduce “Elisha and Jericho's Water” and locate 2 Kings 2:19–22. The men of the city asked Elisha for help, and the Lord healed their bad water. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
2 Kings 2:19, 2 Kings 2:21, 2 Kings 2:22
Read and explain the passage
8 minThe men of the city came to Elisha with a serious problem. The city was pleasantly situated, but its water was bad and the land was unfruitful. They told him plainly what was wrong.
At the spring, Elisha announced that the Lord had healed those waters. He said there would no longer be death from there, and the land would no longer be barren.
So the waters were healed. The passage says they remained healed to that day, according to the word Elisha had spoken. The Lord brought help to the city through his prophet.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “Elisha and Jericho's Water”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
2 Kings 2:19, 2 Kings 2:20, 2 Kings 2:21, 2 Kings 2:22
Discuss the details and their meaning
6 minUse the three questions below. Begin with ““Elisha told them to bring a new jar and put salt in it.” Which details explain how the account reaches this point?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. The men of the city asked Elisha for help, and the Lord healed their bad water. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
2 Kings 2:20, 2 Kings 2:21, 2 Kings 2:19, 2 Kings 2:22
Make and respond: Story sequence booklet
9 minWork on “Elisha and Jericho's Water: Story sequence booklet”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “Elisha and Jericho's Water” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
2 Kings 2:19, 2 Kings 2:21, 2 Kings 2:22
Closing: return to Elisha and Jericho's Water
3 minRevisit 2 Kings 2:19–22. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about Elisha and Jericho's Water and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
2 Kings 2:19, 2 Kings 2:21, 2 Kings 2:22
Questions to explore
“Elisha told them to bring a new jar and put salt in it.” Which details explain how the account reaches this point?
Elisha told them to bring a new jar and put salt in it. They brought it to him, and he went out to the spring of the waters. Then he threw the salt into the spring.
2 Kings 2:20, 2 Kings 2:21, 2 Kings 2:19
How does this moment affect the rest of the account: “At the spring, Elisha announced that the Lord had healed those waters.”?
At the spring, Elisha announced that the Lord had healed those waters. He said there would no longer be death from there, and the land would no longer be barren.
2 Kings 2:21, 2 Kings 2:19, 2 Kings 2:22
“So the waters were healed.” How does this ending connect with the beginning?
So the waters were healed. The passage says they remained healed to that day, according to the word Elisha had spoken. The Lord brought help to the city through his prophet.
2 Kings 2:22, 2 Kings 2:19, 2 Kings 2:21
Make, think or respond
Elisha and Jericho's Water: Story sequence booklet
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- coloured pencils or crayons
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “Beginning”, “What changes?”, “How it ends”.
- Read 2 Kings 2:19–22. Use “Elisha and Jericho's Water” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Talk through your notes with an adult. Add a word, drawing or short quotation that helps you remember each part.
- Retell the account using your three panels, checking the order against the passage.
The finished sheet keeps the details of Elisha and Jericho's Water connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, read the selected verses aloud, prepare the three panels and let them respond with drawings or a few words. Use Elisha and Jericho's Water as the retelling prompt.
- For older children, add verse references to the response sheet and explain a connection between Elisha and Jericho's Water and the final part of the reading.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read 2 Kings 2:19–22. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
2 Kings 2
19 The men of the city said to Elisha, “Behold, please, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees; but the water is bad, and the land is barren.”
20 He said, “Bring me a new jar, and put salt in it.” Then they brought it to him.
21 He went out to the spring of the waters, and threw salt into it, and said, “Yahweh says, ‘I have healed these waters. There shall not be from there any more death or barren wasteland.’ ”
22 So the waters were healed to this day, according to Elisha’s word which he spoke.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.