So Hazael went to meet Elisha, taking with him a gift of forty camel loads of every good thing from Damascus. And he went in and stood before him and said, "Your son Ben-hadad king of Aram has sent me to ask, 'Will I recover from this illness?'" So Hazael went to meet ElishaHazael, whose name means "God has seen," is a significant figure in the narrative of 2 Kings. His journey to meet Elisha, the prophet of God, signifies a moment of divine encounter and revelation. Historically, Hazael was a high-ranking official in the Aramean court, and his meeting with Elisha marks a pivotal moment in his life and the history of Aram. This encounter underscores the influence and respect Elisha commanded, even among foreign nations. taking with him a gift of forty camel-loads
The act of bringing a gift, especially one as substantial as forty camel-loads, reflects the ancient Near Eastern custom of presenting offerings to prophets or seers. This gesture indicates the seriousness of the inquiry and the respect for Elisha's prophetic authority. The number forty often symbolizes a period of testing or judgment in the Bible, suggesting the gravity of the situation facing Ben-hadad and Hazael. of all the finest goods of Damascus
Damascus, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, was known for its wealth and trade. The "finest goods" likely included luxury items, spices, and precious materials, highlighting the prosperity of Damascus and the importance of the mission. This phrase emphasizes the value placed on Elisha's prophetic insight and the desperation of Ben-hadad's situation. He went in and stood before him
Hazael's act of standing before Elisha signifies a posture of humility and respect. In the biblical context, standing before a prophet or a king often denotes readiness to receive a message or command. This moment is a prelude to the revelation that will change the course of Hazael's life and the history of Aram. and said, 'Your son Ben-hadad king of Aram has sent me to ask
The phrase "Your son" is a term of respect and endearment, indicating a relationship of honor between Ben-hadad and Elisha. Ben-hadad, the king of Aram, acknowledges Elisha's spiritual authority by sending Hazael to inquire of him. This reflects the recognition of God's power and the influence of His prophets, even among foreign rulers. Will I recover from this illness?
This question reveals the vulnerability and mortality of even the most powerful rulers. Ben-hadad's inquiry about his recovery underscores the universal human concern for health and life. It also sets the stage for the unfolding of God's sovereign plan, as Elisha's response will have significant implications for the future of Aram and Israel. The question is a poignant reminder of the limits of human power and the ultimate authority of God over life and death. Persons / Places / Events 1. HazaelA servant of King Ben-hadad of Aram, who later becomes king himself. He is sent to inquire about the king's health. 2. ElishaA prophet of God in Israel, known for his miracles and guidance to the kings of Israel and surrounding nations. 3. Ben-hadadThe king of Aram (Syria) who is ill and seeks to know his fate through the prophet Elisha. 4. DamascusThe capital city of Aram, known for its wealth and significance in the region. 5. Forty camel loadsSymbolic of a substantial and generous gift, indicating the seriousness of the inquiry and the wealth of Damascus. Teaching Points The Role of ProphetsElisha serves as a conduit for God's will, demonstrating the importance of seeking divine guidance in times of uncertainty. The Influence of Wealth and GiftsHazael's gift to Elisha highlights how material wealth can be used to gain favor, but it also raises questions about motives and integrity. Divine Sovereignty and Human PlansDespite human efforts to control outcomes, God's plans prevail, as seen in the unfolding events following Hazael's visit. The Importance of Seeking God’s WillLike Ben-hadad, we should seek God's guidance in our lives, understanding that His wisdom surpasses human understanding. The Consequences of AmbitionHazael's ambition leads to significant changes in leadership and power dynamics, reminding us to examine our own ambitions and their alignment with God's purposes. Bible Study Questions 1. What does Hazael's approach to Elisha with gifts reveal about the cultural and spiritual dynamics of the time? 2. How does the account of Hazael and Elisha illustrate the concept of divine sovereignty over human affairs? 3. In what ways can we apply the principle of seeking God's will in our own decision-making processes? 4. How does the account of Hazael's rise to power challenge us to reflect on our own ambitions and motivations? 5. What lessons can we learn from the interaction between Hazael and Elisha about the role of spiritual leaders in guiding nations and individuals? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Kings 8:7-15Provides the broader context of Hazael's visit to Elisha and the prophecy concerning his future actions. 1 Kings 19:15-17God instructs Elijah to anoint Hazael as king over Aram, showing the divine orchestration of events. Proverbs 18:16Discusses how a gift can open doors and bring one before great men, relevant to Hazael's approach to Elisha. James 4:13-15Reminds believers to seek God's will in matters of life and death, similar to Ben-hadad's inquiry through Hazael. People Ahab, Ahaziah, Aram, Athaliah, Ben, Benhadad, Ben-hadad, David, Edomites, Elisha, Gehazi, Hadad, Hazael, Israelites, Jehoram, Jehoshaphat, Jezreel, Joram, Omri, SyriansPlaces Damascus, Edom, Jerusalem, Jezreel, Libnah, Ramah, Ramoth-gilead, Samaria, Syria, ZairTopics Aram, Backs, Benhadad, Ben-hadad, Ben-ha'dad, Better, Burden, Camel, Camel-loads, Camels, Damascus, Disease, Elisha, Finest, Forty, Gift, Goods, Hazael, Haz'ael, Illness, Kind, Kinds, Loads, Meet, Offerings, Present, Recover, Revive, Saying, Sickness, Sort, Standeth, Stood, Syria, Taketh, Taking, WaresDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 8:9 8262 generosity, human Library The Story of Hazael
'So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels' burden, and came and stood before him, and said, Thy son Ben-hadad king of Syria hath sent me to thee, saying, Shall I recover of this disease? 10. And Elisha said unto him, Go, say unto him, Thou mayest certainly recover: howbeit the Lord hath shewed me that he shall surely die. 11. And he settled his countenance stedfastly, until he was ashamed: and the man of God wept. 12. And Hazael said, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureHazael
BY REV. J. G. GREENHOUGH, M.A. "But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing?"--2 KINGS viii. 13. Hazael was the chief minister and prime favourite of Benhadad, the Syrian king. He had been raised from a humble lot and promoted to that high post by the partiality of his sovereign, who had doubtless discerned his exceptional abilities, and certainly placed implicit trust in him. Just now the king was dangerously ill, and Hazael had been sent to inquire of the prophet of Israel …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
Assur-nazir-pal (885-860) and Shalmaneser III. (860-825)--The kingdom of Urartu and its conquering princes: Menuas and Argistis. Assyria was the first to reappear on the scene of action. Less hampered by an ancient past than Egypt and Chaldaea, she was the sooner able to recover her strength after any disastrous crisis, and to assume again the offensive along the whole of her frontier line. Image Drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a bas-relief at Koyunjik of the time of Sennacherib. The initial cut, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7 The Prophet Jonah.
It has been asserted without any sufficient reason, that Jonah is older than Hosea, Joel, Amos, and Obadiah,--that he is the oldest among the prophets whose written monuments have been preserved to us. The passage in 2 Kings xiv. 25, where it is said, that Jonah, the son of Amittai the prophet, prophesied to Jeroboam the happy success of his arms, and the restoration of the ancient boundaries of Israel, and that this prophecy was confirmed by the event, cannot decide in favour of this assertion, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Redemption for Man Lost to be Sought in Christ.
1. The knowledge of God the Creator of no avail without faith in Christ the Redeemer. First reason. Second reason strengthened by the testimony of an Apostle. Conclusion. This doctrine entertained by the children of God in all ages from the beginning of the world. Error of throwing open heaven to the heathen, who know nothing of Christ. The pretexts for this refuted by passages of Scripture. 2. God never was propitious to the ancient Israelites without Christ the Mediator. First reason founded on …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion The Prophet Joel.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. The position which has been assigned to Joel in the collection of the Minor Prophets, furnishes an external argument for the determination of the time at which Joel wrote. There cannot be any doubt that the Collectors were guided by a consideration of the chronology. The circumstance, that they placed the prophecies of Joel just between the two prophets who, according to the inscriptions and contents of their prophecies, belonged to the time of Jeroboam and Uzziah, is …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Christ's Prophetic Office
'The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet,' &c. Deut 18:85. Having spoken of the person of Christ, we are next to speak of the offices of Christ. These are Prophetic, Priestly, and Regal. 'The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet.' Enunciatur hic locus de Christo. It is spoken of Christ.' There are several names given to Christ as a Prophet. He is called the Counsellor' in Isa 9:9. In uno Christo Angelus foederis completur [The Messenger of the Covenant appears in Christ alone]. …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Tit. 2:06 Thoughts for Young Men
WHEN St. Paul wrote his Epistle to Titus about his duty as a minister, he mentioned young men as a class requiring peculiar attention. After speaking of aged men and aged women, and young women, he adds this pithy advice, "Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded" (Tit. 2:6). I am going to follow the Apostle's advice. I propose to offer a few words of friendly exhortation to young men. I am growing old myself, but there are few things I remember so well as the days of my youth. I have a most …
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times Commerce
The remarkable change which we have noticed in the views of Jewish authorities, from contempt to almost affectation of manual labour, could certainly not have been arbitrary. But as we fail to discover here any religious motive, we can only account for it on the score of altered political and social circumstances. So long as the people were, at least nominally, independent, and in possession of their own land, constant engagement in a trade would probably mark an inferior social stage, and imply …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Original Sin
Q-16: DID ALL MANKIND FALL IN ADAM'S FIRST TRANSGRESSION? A: The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity, all mankind descending from him, by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him in his first transgression. 'By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin,' &c. Rom 5:12. Adam being a representative person, while he stood, we stood; when he fell, we fell, We sinned in Adam; so it is in the text, In whom all have sinned.' Adam was the head …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Kings 8:9 NIV2 Kings 8:9 NLT2 Kings 8:9 ESV2 Kings 8:9 NASB2 Kings 8:9 KJV
2 Kings 8:9 Commentaries
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