at the Lord would punish them.

[Illustration: _Made king when he was only seven years old_]

In a little while the prophet's words came true, for Ahab was slain in
battle and Jezebel was put to death by order of King Jehu. Elijah was
taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire.

There was another prophet, a companion of Elijah, whose name was Elisha,
a brave and courageous man who did not fail to deliver God's message.

It happened that when Elisha was an old man there can to him King Joash,
who had been made king when he was only seven years old. Joash was now a
young man and was trying to do right in the sight of the Lord. But he
felt the need of the prophet's aid, and he came to Elisha and said:

"My father, my father, you are more to Israel than its chariots and
horsemen."

[Illustration: _"This is the arrow of victory"_]

Elisha, though weak in body, was yet strong in soul. He told Joash to
bring him a bow and arrows, and to open the window to the east, looking
toward the land of Syria. Then Elisha caused the king to draw the bow;
and he placed his hands on the king's hands. And as the king shot an
arrow, Elisha said:

"This is the arrow of victory; of victory over Syria; for you shall
smite the Syrians in Aphek and shall destroy them."

It happened as Elisha had foretold and the Syrians were defeated and
their cities taken.

THE STORY OF JONAH AND THE WHALE

At this time another prophet, named Jonah, was giving the word of the
Lord to the Israelites. To Jonah the Lord spoke, saying:

"Go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it; for its wickedness
rises up before me."

But Jonah did not wish to preach to the people of Nineveh; for they were
the enemies of his land, the land of Israel. He wished Nineveh to die in
its sins, and not to turn to God and live. So Jonah tried to go away
from the city where God had sent him. He went down to Joppa and took a
ship for Tarshish.

But the Lord saw Jonah on the ship; and the Lord sent a great storm upon
the sea, so that the ship seemed as though it would go to pieces. The
sailors threw overboard everything on the ship; and when they could do
no more, every man prayed to his god to save the ship and themselves.
Jonah was now lying fast asleep, and the ship's captain came to him, and
said:

"What do you mean by sleeping in such a time as this? Awake, rise up,
and call upon your God. Perhaps He will hear you and save our lives."

But the storm contin