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
The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 8:7-9
The power of calamity to bend the spirit of the proud. Benhadad had hitherto been an enemy of Jehovah and his prophets. He had sought Elisha's life ( 2 Kings 6:13-20 ), and, when baffled in his design to seize his person, had made a bold attempt to crush and destroy the whole Israelite nation. But now God had laid his hand upon him; he was prostrated on a sick-bed; and lo! all was altered. The mighty monarch, so lately glorying in his strength, and, in his own opinion, infinitely above any... read more