Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Kings 2:24

24 And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the Name of the LORD : and there came forth two she-bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.

Nor was this punishment too great for the offence, if it be considered, that these Children were grown up to some maturity: See on v. 23. that their mocking proceeded from a great malignity of mind against God; that they mocked not onely a man, and an ancient man, whose very Age commanded reverence; and a Prophet; but even God himself, and that most Admirable and Glorious Work of God, the assumption of Elijah into Heaven, which makes it in some degree resemble the sin against the Holy Ghost. That they might be guilty of many other hainous Crimes, which God and the Prophet knew; and were guilty of Idolatry, which by Gods Law deserved death; that the Idolatrous Parents were punished in their Children; and that, if any of these Children were more innocent and ignorant of what they said, God might have Mercy upon their Souls, and then this death was not a misery, but a real blessing to them, that they were taken away from that wicked and Idolatrous Education which was most likely to expose them not onely to Temporal, but to an Eternal destruction.

Not from any carnal or revengeful passion, but by the motion of Gods Spirit, and by Gods command and commission, as appears by Gods concurrence with him. Which God did, partly, for the terror and caution of all other Idolaters and prophane persons who abounded in that place; partly, to vindicate the Honour, and maintain the Authority of his Prophets; and particularly, of Elisha, now especially in the beginning of his Sacred Ministry. And this did beget such a confidence in Elisha, that he durst venture to go into Bethel after this was done; and such a terror in the Bethelites, that they durst not avenge themselves of him.

Possibly robbed of their Whelps, and therefore more fierce, Prov. 17. 12. Hos. 13. 8. but certainly acted by an extraordinary fury, which God raised in them for this purpose.

This Hebrew word signifies not onely young Children, but those also who are grown up to maturity, as Gen. 32. 22. and 34. 4. and 37. 30. Ruth 1. 5.