246 The Legends of the Jews
He had to endure two periods of disease, and the third sick- ness that befell him caused his death. He is the first known to history who survived a sickness. Before him death had been the inevitable companion of disease.20
A great miracle marked the end of a life rich in miracu- lous deeds : a dead man revived at the touch of Elisha's bier, and stood on his feet. It was a worthy character for whom the wonder was accomplished — Shallum the son of Tik- vah, the husband of Huldah the prophetess, a man of noble descent, who had led a life of lovingkindness. He was in the habit of going daily beyond the city bearing a pitcher of water, from which he gave every traveller to drink, a good deed that received a double reward. His wife became a prophetess, and when he died and his funeral, at- tended by a large concourse of people, was disturbed by the invasion of the Arameans, he was given new life by contact with the bones of Elisha. He lived to have a son, Hanamel by name.21
The death of Elisha was a great misfortune for the Israel- ites. So long as he was alive, no Aramean troops entered Palestine. The first invasion by them happened on the day of his burial.23
The Flight of Jonah Among the many thousands" of disciples whom Elisha gathered about him during the sixty years M and more of his activity, the most prominent was the prophet Jonah. While the master was still alive, Jonah was charged with the im- portant mission of anointing Jehu king.25 The next task laid upon him was to proclaim their destruction to the in-
