How did Naaman manifest his conversion? He vowed that he would not offer sacrifice to any but the one true God, and that if he was obliged to go with his master the king to the temple of Remmon, the idol of the Syrians, he asked beforehand pardon of the Lord for doing so. And the prophet gave it him. "He said to him, Go in peace."

Giezi, the prophet's servant, committed a great crime on this occasion?

Coveting the rich presents of Naaman, he went after him, pretending that the prophet had sent him, saying, "There are come to me from Mount Ephraim two young men, sons of the prophets, give them a talent of silver and two changes of garments." By this lie he got from Naaman two talents of silver aud two changes of raiment, and he went back to the prophet's house.

Was Eliseus ignorant of his servant's conduct?

Giezi stood before his master as usual, and the prophet said to him, "Whence comest thou, Giezi ?"

What was his answer?

Another falsehood.

whither."

"Thy servant went no

How did the prophet reply?

"Was not my heart present when the man turned back from his chariot to meet thee? So now thou hast received money, and received garments, to buy olive yards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and men servants, and maid servants. But the leprosy of Naaman

shall also stick to thee, and to thy seed for ever. And he went out from him a leper as white as snow." Thus was he punished for his treachery, his covetousness, and his falsehood, by which, as far as he could, he brought discredit upon the true religion.

CHAPTER XC.

ELISEUS MAKETH IRON TO SWIM.

The sons of the prophets wished to remove to another place. Why?

Because the place was too narrow for them. Where did they go, and what did they propose to do?

They went as far as the Jordan, and they proposed to take out of the wood every mau a piece of timber, to build there a place to dwell in.

Did they receive permission from Eliseus?

Yes; and at their request he went with them.

What happened as they were felling the wood?

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As one of the men was felling some timber, the head of the axe fell into the water, and he cried out, and said: Alas, alas, alas, my lord, for this was borrowed."

Did Eliseus come to his aid?

"The man of God said: Where did it fall? And he shewed him the place. Then he cut

and And

off a piece of wood and cast it in thither the iron swam. And he said, take it up. he put out his hand and took it."-4 Kings, vi. 1-7.

CHAPTER XCI.

ELISEUS LEADETH THE SYRIANS INTO SAMARIA.

The King of Syria sent men to take Eliseus prisoner. Why?

Because, there being war between Israel and Syria, the prophet told the King of Israel where the King of Syria had laid ambushes.

Where was Eliseus at this time?

"And they

At Dothan, where the King of Syria sent the strength of his army to take him. came by night and beset the city."

The servant of Eliseus was alarmed when he saw this large host in the morning?

"He cried out: Alas, alas, alas, my lord, what shall we do ?"

The prophet reassured him?

He answered: Fear not, for there are more with us than with them. And Eliseus prayed, and said: Lord, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the servant, and he saw. And behold the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Eliseus."

How did the prophet defeat his enemies?

At his prayer, God struck them with blind

ness, and Eliseus said to them: This is not the way, neither is this the city: follow me, and I will shew you the man whom you seek. So he led them into Samaria.

What happened then?

Again at the prayer of the prophet, God gave them back their sight, and they beheld themselves in the city of the King of Israel, and in the presence of Eliseus.

What proposal was made by the King of Israel?

He proposed to kill them.

Did Eliseus permit him to do so?

No. "He said: Thou shalt not kill them, for thou didst not take them with thy sword, or thy bow, that thou mayest kill them: but set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master."

Were they treated in this way?

'A great provision of meats was set before them, and they eat and drank, and he let them go; and they went away to their master, and the robbers of Syria came no more, that is, for a long time,-into the land of Israel."4 Kings, vi. 23.

CHAPTER XCII.

THE LIFE OF ELISEUS IS THREATENED.

Again there was war between Syria and Israel?

Yes. "Benadad, King of Syria, gathered

together all his army, and went up and besieged Samaria."

What evil came on Samaria in consequence of this siege?

So great a famine, that the head of an ass was sold for fourscore pieces of silver.

How did the King of Israel learn the extent of the famine?

As he was passing by the wall, a woman met him, who complained that having entered into an agreement with another woman to eat their two sons, they slew and eat her own son, but the next day, when the other was to have been eaten, his mother hid him.

What effect had this terrible statement upon the king?

He rent his garments, and put hair-cloth upon him; but instead of really repenting, he unjustly considered Eliseus to be the author of all this misery, and he vowed to take his

life.

Did Eliseus know of the king's intention?

Yes. And he told it to the ancients who were sitting with him in his house. "Do you know," he said, "that this son of a murderer hath sent to cut off my head? Look, then, when the messenger shall come, shut the door, and suffer him not to come in, for behold the sound of his master's feet is behind him.” Did the messenger arrive?

"While he was yet speaking to them, the messenger appeared." Eliseus gave himself

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Behold, so

up as lost, and made this prayer. great an evil is from the Lord, what shall I