characters and the problem, is laid out by a narrative rather than by the more common expedient of a summary. Thus verses 1–4 really serve only to inform the reader as to who was cutting trees for what purpose. Such a long preliminary presentation has the effect of arousing the reader’s curiosity, a curiosity which is then quickly satisfied by the crisis and resolution of 5–7. Elisha is pictured here as the “abbot” of a prophetic community, in tension with the idea that he had a private house in