Once again, the Old Testament is just plain strange. This next bit is “more weird” in two senses – there is more weirdness, and the weirdness is getting weirder. In 2 Kings 13, the writer interrupts the monotony of Israelite kingly lameness to report on Elisha’s death. First the evil king Jehoash (not to be confused with his father Jehoahaz or his grandfather Joash) comes and says nice things to Elisha. As a result (apparently), God grants Jehoash freedom from Aramean oppression. Elisha then tells Jehoahaz (oops, I mean Jehoash) to strike the ground with some arrows; when Jehoash does so only three times, Elisha scolds him. Apparently Jehoash didn’t know that while striking the ground with arrows five or six times guarantees total victory, striking it only three times earns only partial victory. Idiot.

And if that’s not weird enough, check out the following paragraph: Continue reading →