In most of the stories, however, the crispness of the plot is demonstrated by the small number of main characters and the lack of characterization. For example, in 2:19–22, two main characters appear, Elisha and the men of the city. In 2:23–24, there are three, Elisha, the boys, and the bears. In 4:1–7, there are four—Elisha, the widow, and her two sons. With these latter figures Elisha has very little to do. In 4:8–37 there are five characters, Elisha, the Shunemite, her husband, her son, and Gehazi;