ELISHA. : 271

very sad one. She and one of her neighbours had
made an agreement that they would kill and eat their
children. This woman who was speaking to the king
had killed her son; but when they had eaten him, her
neighbour refused to fulfil her part of the agreement.
When the king heard these words, he rent his clothes
and said in anger, “ God do so and more also to me
if the head of Elisha, the son of Shaphat, shall stand
on him this day.”

Marianne. What did he mean by that, grandfather ?
He could not think Elisha was to blame for the famine
that had come ?

Grandfather. Jehoram was an ungrateful prince.
Frequently the prophet had delivered him from the
power of his enemies, and yet he seeks his life. Elisha
was sitting in his house when the messenger of the
king arrived. His errand, however, was in vain. He
was followed by the king himself, and to him Elisha
foretold that a time of plenty was near. “ To-morrow
about this time,” the prophet said, “ shall a measure of
fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of
barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.”

Johnnie. Whether was that dear or cheap, grand-
father ?

Grandfather. It was about the ordinary price. The
words of Elisha seemed to have been heard by the king
in silence, but they excited the ridicule of a nobleman
who was with him. He said mockingly to Elisha, “ If
the Lord would make windows in heaven, might this