30. When the king heard the woman say this, he tore his clothes ⌊in distress⌋. As he was walking on the city wall, the people saw that he was wearing sackcloth under his clothes.
31. He said, “May God strike me dead if the head of Elisha, son of Shaphat, stays on his ⌊body⌋ today.”
32. Elisha was sitting in his home with the ⌊city’s⌋ leaders. The king had sent one of his men ahead of him ⌊to Elisha’s house⌋. But before the messenger arrived, Elisha asked the leaders, “Do you see how this murderer has sent someone to tear off my head? When the messenger comes, close the door. Hold it shut because the king will be following him.”
33. While he was still talking to them, the messenger arrived. He said to Elisha, “This severe famine is from the Lord. Why should I wait any longer for the Lord ⌊to help us⌋?”