2 Kings 2:23
And he went up from thence unto Beth-el: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head. And he went up from thence unto Beth-el: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.
As Elisha was traveling up to Bethel at the beginning of his work, ungodly young people came out of the city and mocked him on the way. Their repeated call for him to go up derided Elijah's recent ascension and translation, and scorned Elisha as the prophet continuing his work. That taunt to go up as Elijah had gone was joined with jeering at his baldness, calling him bald.
Because Elisha was God's servant, this mockery of him was an insult directed against God Himself. The youths had learned this disrespect, contempt, and despising of him from their parents. Elisha cursed them in the Lord's name under divine inspiration, and God sent immediate punishment upon them as described in the next verse.
That severe divine response established respect for Elisha's prophetic calling and helped protect his mission from further mockery. The incident warns that scoffing at the promised ascent of the saints to heaven, their expected going up, is no small or light matter but will bring God's wrath in plagues. The youths' conduct shows lack of reverence, which is a grace to be carefully cherished. Children should be taught true reverence for God and respect for those who represent Him, including ministers, teachers, and parents, for honoring them honors God.