2 Kings 8:1-15

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 8:1-6

Here we have, I. The wickedness of Israel punished with a long famine, one of God's sore judgments often threatened in the law. Canaan, that fruitful land, was turned into barrenness, for the iniquity of those that dwelt therein. The famine in Samaria was soon relieved by the raising of that siege, but neither that judgment nor that mercy had a due influence upon them, and therefore the Lord called for another famine; for when he judgeth he will overcome. If less judgments do not prevail to... read more

Matthew Henry

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 8:1

Then spoke Elisha unto the woman (whose son he had restored to life) ,.... His hostess at Shunem, 2 Kings 4:8 the following he said to her, not after the famine in Samaria, but before it, as some circumstances show: saying, arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn ; with the greatest safety to her person and property, and with the least danger to her moral and religious character: for the Lord hath called for a famine, and it shall also come... read more

John Gill

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

And the woman arose, and did after the saying of the man of God ,.... Whose words she had reason to believe; she having a son given to her according to his word, and this restored to life, when dead, through his intercession: and she went with her household, and sojourned in the land of the Philistines ; which was not far from her native place, and where there was plenty of food, and she could have as free an exercise of her religion as in the idolatrous kingdom of Israel. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 8:3

And it came to pass, at the seven years end, that the woman returned out of the land of the Philistines ,.... Either hearing that the famine was over, or believing that it was, the time being expired the prophet fixed for it: and she went forth to cry unto the king for her house, and for her land ; which her nearest relations in her absence had seized upon, as heirs to them; or those in whose hands she had intrusted them refused, upon her return, to deliver them to her; or the king's... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 8:4

And the king talked with Gehazi the servant of the man of God ,.... Elisha's servant, just at the same time the woman made her application to him; so that this was before he was dismissed from the service of the prophet, and consequently before the affair of Naaman's cure, and so before the siege of Samaria: saying, tell me, I pray thee, all the great things that Elisha hath done ; the miracles he wrought, as the dividing of the waters of Jordan, and healing those near Jericho; the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 8:5

And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life ,.... Which was the Shunammite's son: that, behold, the woman whose son he had restored to life cried to the king for her house, and for her land ; came and presented her petition to the king at that very instant: and Gehazi said, my lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life ; the very person I am speaking of. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 8:6

And when the king asked the woman, she told him ,.... The whole affair; how that she had a son according to the word of Elisha, when she had been barren, and her husband old; that this child was struck with sickness, and died; and that the prophet, through his prayers, restored it to life: so the king appointed unto her a certain officer ; the word signifies an "eunuch": him he ordered to attend upon her, and assist her, and see to it that she was put into the possession of her house and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 8:7

And Elisha came to Damascus ,.... On what account, and when, is not certain, whether to convert Gehazi, as say the Jews F4 T. Bab. Sotah, fol. 47. 1. ; or to confirm Naaman in the true religion he professed, for which he might be dismissed from his office, since another man was made general of the Syrian army; or on account of the famine; or rather it may be to anoint, or, however, to declare that Hazael would be king of Syria; see 1 Kings 19:15 , and Benhadad the king of Syria... 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

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