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them in a hospitable manner at his table； and then send them away
without hurting them。 （9） Wherefore Joram obeyed the prophet； and
when he had feasted the Syrians in a splendid and magnificent
manner； he let them go to Benhadad their king。
4。 Now when these men were come back； and had showed Benhadad how
strange an accident had befallen them； and what an appearance and
power they had experienced of the God of Israel； he wondered at
it； as also at that prophet with whom God was so evidently
present； so he determined to make no more secret attempts upon
the king of Israel； out of fear of Elisha； but resolved to make
open war with them； as supposing he could be too hard for his
enemies by the multitude of his army and power。 So he made an
expedition with a great army against Joram； who； not thinking
himself a match for him； shut himself up in Samaria； and depended
on the strength of its walls； but Benhadad supposed he should
take the city； if not by his engines of war； yet that he should
overcome the Samaritans by famine； and the want of necessaries；
and brought his army upon them； and besieged the city； and the
plenty of necessaries was brought so low with Joram； that from
the extremity of want an ass's head was sold in Samaria for
fourscore pieces of silver； and the Hebrews bought a sextary of
dore's dung； instead of salt； for five pieces of silver。 Now
Joram was in fear lest somebody should betray the city to the
enemy； by reason of the famine； and went every day round the
walls and the guards to see whether any such were concealed among
them； and by being thus seen； and taking such care； he deprived
them of the opportunity of contriving any such thing； and if they
had a mind to do it； he； by this means； prevented them： but upon
a certain woman's crying out； 〃Have pity on me； my lord；〃 while
he thought that she was about to ask for somewhat to eat； he
imprecated God's curse upon her； and said he had neither
thrashing…floor nor wine…press； whence he might give her any
thing at her petition。 Upon which she said she did not desire his
aid in any such thing； nor trouble him about food； but desired
that he would do her justice as to another woman。 And when be
bade her say on； and let him know what she desired； she said she
had made an agreement with the other woman who was her neighbor
and her friend； that because the famine and want was intolerable；
they should kill their children； each of them having a son of
their own； and we will live upon them ourselves for two days； the
one day upon one son； and the other day upon the other； and；〃
said she； I have killed my son the first day； and we lived upon
my son yesterday； but this other woman will not do the same
thing； but hath broken her agreement； and hath hid her son。〃 This
story mightily grieved Joram when he heard it； so he rent his
garment； and cried out with a loud voice； and conceived great
wrath against Elisha the prophet； and set himself eagerly to have
him slain； because he did not pray to God to provide them some
exit and way of escape out of the miseries with which they were
surrounded； and sent one away immediately to cut off his head；
who made haste to kill the prophet。 But Elisha was not
unacquainted with the wrath of the king against him； for as he
sat in his house by himself； with none but his disciples about
him； he told them that Joram； （10） who was the son of a murderer；
had sent one to take away his head； 〃but；〃 said he； 〃when he that
is commanded to do this comes； take care that you do not let him
come in； but press the door against him； and hold him fast there；
for the king himself will follow him； and come to me； having
altered his mind。〃 Accordingly； they did as they were bidden；
when he that was sent by the king to kill Elisha came。 But Joram
repented of his wrath against the prophet； and for fear he that
was commanded to kill him should have done it before he came； he
made haste to hinder his slaughter； and to save the prophet： and
when he came to him； he accused him that he did not pray to God
for their deliverance from the miseries they now lay under； but
saw them so sadly destroyed by them。 Hereupon Elisha promised；
that the very next day； at the very same hour in which the king
came to him； they should have great plenty of food； and that two
seahs of barley should be sold in the market for a shekel； and a
seah of fine flour should be sold for a shekel。 This prediction
made Joram； and those that were present； very joyful； for they
did not scruple believing what the prophet said； on account of
the experience they had of the truth of his former predictions；
and the expectation of plenty made the want they were in that
day； with the uneasiness that accompanied it； appear a light
thing to them： but the captain of the third band； who was a
friend of the king； and on whose hand the king leaned； said；
〃Thou talkest of incredible things； O prophet！ for as it is
impossible for God to pour down torrents of barley； or fine
flour； out of heaven； so is it impossible that what thou sayest
should come to pass。〃 To which the prophet made this reply；〃 Thou
shalt see these things come to pass； but thou shalt not be in the
least a partaker of them。〃
5。 Now what Elisha had thus foretold came to pass in the manner
following： There was a law at Samaria （11） that those that had
the leprosy； and whose bodies were not cleansed from it； should
abide without the city： and there were four men that on this
account abode before the gates； while nobody gave them any food；
by reason of the extremity of the famine； and as they were
prohibited from entering into the city by the law； and they
considered that if they were permitted to enter； they should
miserably perish by the famine； as also； that if they staid where
they were； they should suffer in the same manner； … they resolved
to deliver themselves up to the enemy； that in case they should
spare them； they should live； but if they should be killed； that
would be an easy death。 So when they had confirmed this their
resolution； they came by night to the enemy's camp。 Now God had
begun to affright and disturb the Syrians； and to bring the noise
of chariots and armor to their ears； as though an army were
coming upon them； and had made them suspect that it was coming
nearer and nearer to them In short； they were in such a dread of
this army； that they left their tents； and ran together to
Benhadad； and said that Joram the king of Israel had hired for
auxiliaries both the king of Egypt and the king of the Islands；
and led them against them for they heard the noise of them as
they were coming。 And Benhadad believed what they said （for there
came the same noise to his ears as well as it did to theirs）； so
they fell into a mighty disorder and tumult； and left their
horses and beasts in their camp； with immense riches also； and
betook themselves to flight。 And those lepers who had departed
from Samaria； and were gone to the camp of the Syrians； of whom
we made mention a little before； when they were in the camp； saw
nothing but great quietness and silence： accordingly they entered
into it； and went hastily into one of their tents； a