emotions need not be far apart), for the LORD is indeed active in Israel. But it also calls to mind that it is the LORD, and not the servant-prophet, who is in control of human destiny. The king has already learned this second lesson—somewhat painfully (2 Kgs. 3). It is precisely this fact, perhaps, that causes his despair. Or does he really not know what appears to be such common knowledge (v. 3): that Elisha is well able to deal with this crisis? Perhaps not. Second Kings 8:1–6 suggests that the