The Omerets and the Elisha Stories

Elisha's stories paint the kings of Israel as international weaklings, hard pressed to defend their capital from the Aramayans. Yet they are strong supporters of Yahuism, and on good terms with the prophets. Elisha arrived in Damascus at a time when King Ben-Hidad of Aram was ill. The man of God wept over what harm you will do to the Israelite people," he told Hazael. "You will set their fortresses on fire, put their young men to the sword, dash their little ones in pieces"