2 Kings 8:8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 8:7-15

Here, I. We may enquire what brought Elisha to Damascus, the chief city of Syria. Was he sent to any but the lost sheep of the house of Israel? It seems he was. Perhaps he went to pay a visit to Naaman his convert, and to confirm him in his choice of the true religion, which was the more needful now because, it should seem, he was not out of his place (for Hazael is supposed to be captain of that host); either he resigned it or was turned out of it, because he would not bow, or not bow... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 8:8

And the king said to Hazael ,.... The captain general of his army: take a present in thine hand, and go and meet the man of God , who, perhaps, was not as yet come into the city, only into the region of Damascus: or rather "with thee"; so the Vulgate Latin and Arabic versions; and which Noldius F6 Ebr. Concord. Part. p. 189. No. 362. approves of, since a burden of forty camels, 2 Kings 8:9 could not be carried in the hand: and inquire of the Lord by him, saying, shall I... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 8:8

Take a present in thine hand - But what an immense present was this-forty camels' burden of every good thing of Damascus! The prophet would need to have a very large establishment at Damascus to dispose of so much property. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 8:1-15

Elisha is still the protagonistes of the historical drama. The writer brings together in the present section two more occasions of a public character in which he was concerned, and in which kings also bore a part. One of the occasions is domestic, and shows the interest which Jehoram took in the miracles of the prophet, and in those who were the objects of them ( 2 Kings 8:1-6 ). The other belongs to Syrian, rather than to Israelite, history, and proves that the influence of Elisha was not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 8:1-29

THE SEQUEL OF THE STORY OF THE SHUNAMMITE . THE KILLING OF BENHADAD BY HAZAEL ; AND THE WICKED REIGNS OF JEHORAM AND AHAZIAH IN JUDAH . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

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