In Second Kings, third chapter, we have the strange alliance of a wicked king, a God-fearing king, and a heathen king. They are confronted with circumstances that threaten their destruction. Faced by these terrible consequences the God-fearing king turns to the Lord. The confusion caused by this unholy alliance is so great, that Elisha, the man of God, is hampered in discerning the mind of the Lord. He calls for a minstrel. His mind must be diverted from all that is around him, and be put in touch with heavenly scenes to know the mind of the Lord. The man of God must have his mind diverted from the utter confusion around, and the consequent distress. If he is to learn how the Lord would have him to act, he must be lifted above the distressing circumstances. In our day, do we not often have need of that which the minstrel signifies?