today's text also has a chiastic structure perfect except at A', because Elisha does not return to Gilgal but rather continues past Bethel to Carmel and Samaria. Our reading, moreover, extends only to the center piece of the structure, verse 14:

A. From Gilgal to Bethel (2:1b-2) B. Bethel (2:3-4) C. Jericho (2:5-6) D. Jordan River (2:7-8a) E. Crossing (2:8b) F. Transjordan (2:9-14a) E'. Crossing (2:14b) D'. From the Jordan to Jericho (2:15-17) C'. Jericho (2:18-22) B'. Bethel (2:23-24) A'.

The events of the text occur between summaries of two distinct regencies: Ahaziah and his brother Jehoram (1:17b-18; 3:1-3). As such, this record, the beginning of the Elisha cycle of traditions and the concluding account of Elijah the Tishbite, constitutes what Burke O. Long calls a "pausal moment" be…