The evil that thou wilt do - The intention is not to tax Hazael with special cruelty, but only to enumerate the ordinary horrors of war, as it was conducted among the Oriental nations of the time. Compare the marginal references. read more
2 Kings 8:12. I know the evil thou wilt do unto the children of Israel It was not in Hazael’s countenance that Elisha read what he would do; but God did at this time reveal it to him, and gave him such a clear and full view of it, that it greatly affected him. The sins of Israel provoked God to give them up into the hands of their cruel enemies: yet Elisha wept to think that ever Israelites should be so abused as he foresaw they would be by Hazael. For though he foretold, he did not desire,... read more
Miracles of warning to Israel (6:8-8:15)The remaining stories of Elisha concentrate on his dealings with the rulers of Israel and Syria. God was going to use Syria to punish Israel for its sin during the period of the Omri dynasty, but first he had various lessons to teach the two nations.On one occasion when Israel and Syria were fighting each other, Elisha repeatedly warned the Israelite king of Syrian ambushes (8-10). The Syrian king was furious when he learnt why his ambushes failed, and... read more
the evil. Described in 2 Kings 10:32 ; 2Ki 12:17 ; 2 Kings 13:3 , 2 Kings 13:22 .Hosea 10:14 .Amos 1:3 , Amos 1:4 . Hebrew. ra'a' . App-44 . children = sons. their children = little ones. Hebrew. 'ul . with child. Hebrew. harah . read more
2 Kings 8:12. And will dash their children, &c.— That dashing young children against the stones was one piece of barbarous cruelty which the people of the east were apt to run into in the prosecution of their wars, is plainly intimated Psalms 137:8-9. Nor was this inhuman practice quite out of use among nations pretending to more politeness; for, according to the remains of ancient fame, the Grecians, when they became masters of Troy, were so cruel as to throw Astyanax, Hector's son, a... read more
4. Jehoram’s evil reign in Israel 2:1-8:15Jehoram reigned 12 years in Israel (852-841 B.C.). His reign overlapped with Jehoshaphat and Jehoshaphat’s son Jehoram’s coregency (853-848 B.C.) as well as Jehoram of Judah’s sole reign (848-841 B.C.). During these 12 years Elisha, whose name means "my God is salvation," was very active in Israel. In keeping with his theological purpose, the writer of Kings again emphasized incidents of spiritual significance that took place at this time (cf. 1 Kings... read more
Elisha’s preparation of God’s instrument of judgment on Israel 8:7-15Hazael was the governor of Damascus. [Note: J. A. Brinkman, "Additional Texts from the Reigns of Shalmaneser III and Shamshi-Adad V," Journal of Near Eastern Studies 32 (1973):43-44.] The Gentile King of Aram had more interest in inquiring of Yahweh than Jehoram’s predecessor did (2 Kings 8:8; cf. 2 Kings 1:2). It was customary in the Near East to make a great show of giving gifts. It was also common to have one camel carry... read more
Elisha and the Shunammite. Elisha and Hazael. Reigns of Jehoram and Ahaziah of Judah1. Then spake Elisha] The occasion is not indicated, all the stories related of Elisha in this and the three preceding chapters being disconnected. A famine] Perhaps the same as that referred to in 2 Kings 4:38. 2. The land of the Philistines] This was a corn-growing district, near the still more productive country of Egypt. 3. To cry unto the king] Her property, being vacant during her absence, had seemingly... read more
(7-15) Elisha’s visit to Damascus, and its consequences. read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 8:12
And Hazael said, Why weepeth my lord? While inwardly contemplating an act of audacious wickedness in defiance of the prophet's implied rebuke, Hazael preserves towards him outwardly an attitude of extreme deference and respect. "My lord" was the phrase with which slaves addressed their masters, and subjects their monarchs (see 2 Kings 5:3 ; 2 Kings 6:12 , etc.). And he answered, Because I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Israel: their strongholds wilt thou set on... read more