242 The Legends of the Jews
was of the opinion that, as the oil had been bestowed upon her miraculously, she could keep it wholly and entirely for her own use. Furthermore, Elisha reassured her as to the power of the royal princes to do her harm : " The God who will close the jaws of the lions set upon Daniel, and who did close the jaws of the dogs in Egypt, the same God will blind the eyes of the sons of Ahab, and deafen their ears, so that they can do thee no harm."1 Not only was the poor widow helped out of her difficulties, her descendants unto all times were provided for. The oil rose in price, and it yielded so much profit that they never suffered want.*
The Shunammite The great woman of Shunem, the sister of Abishag and wife of the prophet Iddo,10 also had cause to be deeply grate- ful to Elisha. When Elisha came to Shunem on his jour- ney through the land of Israel, his holiness made a profound impression upon the Shunammite. Indeed, the prophet's eye was so awe-inspiring that no woman could look him in the face and live." Contrary to the habit of most women, who are intent upon diminishing their expenses and their toil, the Shunammite took delight in the privilege of wel- coming the prophet to her house as a guest. She observed that not even a fly dared approach close to the holy man, and a grateful fragrance exhaled from his person. " If he were not so great a saint," she said, " and the holiness of the Lord did not invest him, there were no such pleasant fra- grance about him." That he might be undisturbed, she as- signed the best chambers in the house to the prophet. He on his part, desiring to show his appreciation of her hospi-
