prophets together (in all about four hundred men), and asked them, 'Shall I go to fight against Ramoth in Gilead or shall I not?' They said, 'Go up; for Jehovah will deliver it into your hands.' But Jehoshaphat said, 'Is there any other prophet of Jehovah, that we may ask him?' The ruler of Israel answered, "There is another by whom we may inquire of Jehovah, Micaiah the son of Imlah, but I hate him; for he pre dicts for me nothing good, but only evil.' Jehoshaphat said, 'Do not say so.

Then the ruler of Israel called a court-attendant and said, 'Bring quickly Micaiah the son of Imlah.'

Now while Ahab and Jehoshaphat were each sitting on his throne clothed in his robes of state at the entrance of the gate of Samaria, and all the prophets were prophesying before them, Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made for himself horns of iron and said, 'Jehovah declares, "With these you shall strike down the Arameans until you have destroyed them!""' All the prophets prophesied the same, saying, 'Go up to Ramoth in Gilead; for Jehovah will deliver it over to you.'

The messenger who went to call Micaiah said to him, 'See, the prophets have with one accord promised the ruler of Israel success. Agree with them, and predict success.' But Micaiah said, 'As surely as Jehovah lives, I will speak what he says to me.'

When he came to Ahab, he said to him, 'Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth in Gilead to fight, or shall we not?' He answered him, 'Go up and conquer! Jehovah will deliver it into your hands!' But Ahab said to him, 'How many times shall I adjure you to speak nothing to me in the name of Jehovah but the truth?' He said, 'I saw all the Israelites scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And

Jehovah said, "These have no master; let each of them go home in peace!"'

The ruler of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, 'Did I not tell you that he would predict for me nothing good, but only evil?' Micaiah said, 'Hear then the message from Jehovah: I saw Jehovah sitting on his throne and all the host of heaven standing about him. And Jehovah said, "Who will delude Ahab, so that he will go up and fall at Ramoth in Gilead?" One proposed one thing and another another, until a spirit came out and stood before Jehovah and said, "I will mislead him." Jehovah said to him, "By what means?" He said, "I will go out and become a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets." Then Jehovah said, "You shall succeed in misleading him. Go out and do so." So Jehovah has now put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these prophets of yours, for he has determined to bring disaster upon you.'

Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near and struck Micaiah a blow on the cheek and said, 'How was it that the spirit of Jehovah went from me to speak to you?' Micaiah replied, 'Indeed, you shall see on the day when you shall go from one hiding-place to another.' Then the ruler of Israel said, "Take Micaiah back to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the ruler's son, and say, "This is the ruler's command: Put this fellow in prison and feed him with a scanty fare of bread and water until I return successful." Micaiah said, 'If you indeed return successful, Jehovah has not spoken by me.'

Then the ruler of Israel and Jehoshaphat the ruler of Judah went up to Ramoth in Gilead. And the ruler of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, 'I will disguise myself and go into the battle, but you can put on your robes.'

But a certain man drew the bow at a venture and

struck the ruler of Israel between the breast plate and the lower part of his armor. So Ahab said to the driver of his chariot, 'Turn about and carry me out of the battle, for I am wounded.' But the battle grew more intense, so that Ahab remained until evening propped up in his chariot in the sight of the Arameans, and the blood ran out of the wound into the bottom of the chariot. But that evening he died.

About sunset the cry went throughout the army, 'Each to his town and each to his land, for the ruler is dead!' So they came to Samaria and buried Ahab there. And when they washed the chariot by the pool of Samaria, the dogs licked up his blood and the harlots washed themselves in it, just as Jehovah had declared.

II KINGS

ELISHA THE PASTOR AND COUNSELLOR OF THE PEOPLE

112. THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH

When Jehovah took up Elijah to heaven in a whirlwind he was going with Elisha from Gilgal. And Elijah said to Elisha, 'Stay here, for Jehovah has sent me as far as Bethel.' But Elisha said, 'As surely as Jehovah lives and as you live, I will not leave you.' So they went down to Bethel.

Then the followers of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and said, 'Do you know that to-day Jehovah will take away your master from you?' He said, 'Yes, I know it; say no more.' And Elijah said to him, 'Elisha, stay here, for Jehovah has sent me to Jericho.' But he said, 'As surely as Jehovah lives and as you live, I will not leave you.' So they came to Jericho.

Then the followers of the prophets at Jericho came near to Elisha and said, 'Do you know that to-day Jehovah will take your master from you?' He answered, 'Yes, I know it; say no more.' And Elijah said to him, 'Stay here, for Jehovah has sent me to the Jordan.' But he said, 'As surely as Jehovah lives and as you live, I will not leave you.' So they both went on.

Fifty followers of the prophets stood opposite them at a distance, while they two stood by the Jordan. Then Elijah rolled up his mantle and with it struck the waters; and they were divided, so that they two went over on dry ground. When they had gone over,

Elijah said to Elisha, 'Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you.' Elisha said, 'Let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.' He replied, 'You have asked what is difficult; but if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall come to you; but if you do not, it shall not come.'

As they were going on their way talking, a fiery chariot with horses of fire suddenly came and separated the two; and Elijah went up in a whirlwind to heaven. When Elisha saw it, he cried, 'My father, my father! the chariots and the horsemen of Israel!' And he saw Elijah no more, but he took hold of his own robes and tore them in two. Then he took up the mantle that had fallen from Elijah.

113. THE RESTORATION OF THE SHUNAMITE'S

SON

One day Elisha went over to Shunem where a prominent woman lived, and she persuaded him to be her guest. Afterward, whenever he passed by, he stopped there to eat. So she said to her husband, 'Now I see that this is a holy man of God who is constantly passing by our door. Let us make a little chamber on the roof, so that whenever he comes to us, he can stay there.'

One day when he came, he went into the upper room and lay down there. Then he said to Gehazi his servant, 'Call this Shunamite.' So he called her, and she stood before him. Elisha said to Gehazi, 'Say now to her, “See, you have been so anxious to care for us; what can be done for you? Might we commend you to the favor of the ruler or to the commander of the army?" She answered, 'I live surrounded by my own people.' Elisha said, 'What then can be done for