As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.
But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers.
Comment: I’m intrigued by the phrase ‘for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed,’ Paul shows his humanity by his annoyance, but I wonder why he waited many days before reacting to this distraction. Maybe he perceived what the slave owner’s reaction would be to loss of the ‘money machine’, and how it would end up for him! Or perhaps he waited because she was drawing attention to the team and Paul wanted to have as large an outreach as possible. Knowing the reason is probably unimportant, except that it meant healing for her!
Prayer: Thank You that You still deliver from bondage many when they call upon Your Name, O,Lord
As I read it! 