The answer is: Two bears came out of the woods and killed them

2 Ki 2:24

In the curious tale from 2 Kings 2:24, Elisha, the prophet known for his miraculous acts following Elijah's ascent to heaven, encounters a group of jeering youths. They throw insults at him, mercilessly mocking his baldness. What unfolds next is quite shocking—a pair of bears emerges from the forest and mauls forty-two of the youths. This story can strike us as quite perplexing, making one wonder about the underlying themes.

The narrative jumps out at us in two ways. Firstly, it underscores respect for prophetic authority in ancient Israel. The children’s dismissal of Elisha isn’t merely about baldness—it speaks to the greater issue of how one treated someone chosen as a messenger of God (think of how prophets symbolize divine wisdom!). Acts of derision had significant weight back then.

Moreover, this episode echoes Proverbs 17:22, which describes a “cheerful heart” as good medicine, while also suggesting that mockery can lead to dire consequences. The chilly resolution meted out to the boys serves as a harsh reminder of the narratives wherein disrespecting divine principles invites stern retribution.

And just for trivia's sake, did you know this is one of a handful of biblical passages that mixes humor with severity? It's wild, and while the bears handling the situation might feel excessive on a level, it certainly leaves us considering how we respond to those in roles of moral guidance today!