The men of the city said to Elisha, “Look, the city has a good location, as our master can see. But the water is bad and the land doesn’t produce crops.”

When the king heard what the woman said, he tore his clothes. As he was passing by on the wall, the people could see he was wearing sackcloth under his clothes.

To this very day they observe their earlier practices. They do not worship the Lord; they do not obey the rules, regulations, law, and commandments that the Lord gave the descendants of Jacob, whom he renamed Israel.

Hezekiah prayed before the Lord: “Lord God of Israel, who is enthroned on the cherubs! You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the sky and the earth.

He then asked, “Which invasion route are we going to take?” Jehoram answered, “By the road through the Desert of Edom.”

She said to her husband, “Look, I’m sure that the man who regularly passes through here is a very special prophet.

He told his servant Gehazi, “Ask the Shunammite woman to come here.” So he did so and she came to him.

He said to his father, “My head! My head!” His father told a servant, “Carry him to his mother.”

So he picked him up and took him to his mother. He sat on her lap until noon and then died.

When Elisha arrived at the house, there was the child lying dead on his bed.

Some of the prophets said to Elisha, “Look, the place where we meet with you is too cramped for us.

He replied, “Don’t be afraid, for our side outnumbers them.”

Later King Ben Hadad of Syria assembled his entire army and attacked and besieged Samaria.

So they picked two horsemen and the king sent them out to track the Syrian army. He ordered them, “Go and find out what’s going on.”

Elisha just stared at him until Hazael became uncomfortable. Then the prophet started crying.

Jehu then left there and set out for Samaria. While he was traveling through Beth Eked of the Shepherds,

Jehu assembled all the people and said to them, “Ahab worshiped Baal a little; Jehu will worship him with great devotion.

The priests agreed not to collect silver from the people and relieved themselves of personal responsibility for the temple repairs.

At that time King Hazael of Syria attacked Gath and captured it. Hazael then decided to attack Jerusalem.

But the high places were not eliminated; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense on the high places.