26 The king of Israel was walking by on the city wall when a woman cried out, “Help me, Your Majesty!”
27 He replied, “If the Lord won't help you, what help can I provide? Have I got any wheat or wine?
28 What's your trouble?”She answered, “The other day this woman here suggested that we eat my child, and then eat her child the next day.
29 So we cooked my son and ate him. The next day I told her that we would eat her son, but she had hidden him!”
30 Hearing this, the king tore his clothes in dismay, and the people who were close to the wall could see that he was wearing sackcloth under his clothes.
31 He exclaimed, “May God strike me dead if Elisha is not beheaded before the day is over!”
32 And he sent a messenger to get Elisha.Meanwhile, Elisha was at home with some elders who were visiting him. Before the king's messenger arrived, Elisha said to the elders, “That murderer is sending someone to kill me! Now, when he gets here, shut the door and don't let him come in. The king himself will be just behind him.”