2 Kings 8

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 8:7-15

Elisha ' s visit to Damascus , and its consequences . It has been usual to connect this visit of Elisha's to Damascus with the commission given to Elijah many years previously, to anoint Hazael to be king over Syria ( 1 Kings 19:16 ). But it is certainly worthy of remark that neither is Elijah authorized to devolve his corn-mission on another, nor is he said to have done so, nor is there any statement in the present narrative or elsewhere that Elisha anointed Hazael. It is therefore... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 8:7-15

Elisha, Hazael, and Benhadad. The present interview between Elisha and Hazael arose out of Benhadad's illness. Benhadad heard that Elisha had come to Damascus, and he sent Hazael to inquire of the Lord by him if he would recover of his disease. It is wonderful how ready men are to forsake God when they are well, and, to seek his help when they are in sickness or trouble. When he was well, the King of Syria" bowed himself in the house of Rimmon," but now, in his time of weakness and anxiety... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 8:7-15

Elisha and Hazad. Elisha had come to Damascus, probably sent thither by God to carry out in spirit the commission given long before to Elijah ( 1 Kings 19:15 ). I. BENHADAD 'S MESSAGE . 1. Its occasion . "Benhadad the King of Syria was sick." Royal rank affords no protection against the invasions of disease. Nor is the thought of death less alarming to the monarch than to the peasant. Benhadad's heart trembled as he reflected on the possible issues of his trouble, and he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 8:7-16

Striking characters. "And Elisha came to Damascus," etc. We have here— I. A DYING KING . "Benhadad the King of Syria was sick." Benhadad, for his age and country, was a great king, rich and mighty, but now he is on his dying-bed. Kings die as well as others. Observe: 1. This dying king was very anxious . What was he anxious about? Not about any great spiritual interest concerning himself or others, but concerning his own physical condition. "Shall I recover of this disease?"... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 8:8

And the king said unto Hazael. It is implied that Hazael was in attendance on Benhadad in his sick-room, either permanently as a chamberlain, or occasionally as a minister. According to Josephus ('Ant. Jud.,' 9.4. § 6), he was "the most faithful of the king's domestics" ( ὁ πιστότατος τῶν οἱκετῶν ). We cannot presume from 2 Kings 8:12 that he had as yet distinguished himself as a warrior. Take a present in thine hand, and go, meet the man of God. It was usual, both among the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 8:9

So Hazael went to meet him — i.e. Elisha— and took a present with him ; literally, in his hand ; but we must not pros this expression "In his hand" means "under his control." The present was far too large to be carried by an individual. It consisted even of every good thing of Damascus ; i.e. of gold and silver and costly raiment, of the luscious wine of Helbon, which was the drink of the Persian kings (Strab; 15.3. § 22), of the soft white wool of the Antilibanus ( Ezekiel 27:18 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 8:10

And Elisha said unto him; Go, say unto him; Thou mayest certainly recover. The existing Masoretic text ( צָיִה תִצְיָה אֱמָר־לא ) is untranslatable, since emar-lo cannot mean, "say not," on account of the order of the words; and lo cannot he joined with khayiah thikhyah , first on account of the makkeph whick attaches it to emar , and secondly because the emphatic infinitive is in itself affirmative, and does not admit of a negative prefix. The emendation in the Hebrew... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 8:10-15

Hazael and Elisha. The contrast is striking between the two characters here brought for the first and last time into contact. In Hazael we have— I. THE CRAFTY SCHEMER , cunning and treacherous, who sees in his master's calamity his own opportunity; who feels no gratitude for past favors, no pity for present weakness and suffering, no compunction at playing a double part; who has no horror of crime, no dread of the enduring infamy which attaches to the assassin and the traitor.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 8:11

And he settled his countenance steadfastly —literally, and he settled his countenance and set it ; i.e. Elisha fixed on Hazael a long and meaning look— until he — i.e. Hazael— was ashamed ; i.e. until Hazael felt embarrassed, and his eyes fell It may be gathered that the ambitious courtier had already formed a murderous design against his master, and understood by the peculiar gaze which the prophet fixed upon him that his design was penetrated. And the man of God wept. There... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 8:7-15

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 8:7-15

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 8:7-15

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 8:7-16

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 8:8

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 8:9

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 8:10

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 8:10-15

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 8:11

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 8:12

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