Reading for September 16th

Read 2 Kings 8.1-6 In 8.1-6: Elisha and Shunammite woman. These veres refer to and continue the stories in 4.8-37. In verse 1; Seven years is a round number for completeness, indicating that the famine was severe and long-lasting. In verse 2: The land of the Philistines was along the southern coast of Palestine near the area known today as the Gaza strip. In verse 3: It is not clear who was trying to take the woman's land, but they are more than squatters, for thye are making alegal claim. In verses 4-5: the miraculous part of this tale is the timing. The appeared just as the facinated king was hearing the story of her involvement with Elisha. Gehazi appears here without reference to his leprosy. Either this episode is connected with 4.8-37 or comes from a source completely apart fromthe story in ch. 5. However, the fact that Gehazi alone is speaking withthe king may indicate that this story arose after Elisha's death. Comments or Questions..