"But how could your servant, a mere dog, do such a monstrous thing?" said Hazael. And Elisha answered, "The LORD has shown me that you will be king over Aram." But how could your servantThis phrase reflects a posture of humility and disbelief. The Hebrew word for "servant" is "ebed," which often denotes a position of subservience or loyalty. In the context of the Ancient Near East, a servant was someone who served at the pleasure of a master, often with little personal agency. This phrase indicates Hazael's initial reaction of incredulity and humility, as he cannot fathom the possibility of rising to such a position of power. It underscores the biblical theme that God often chooses the humble and lowly to fulfill His purposes, as seen throughout Scripture. a mere dog
The term "dog" in ancient Israelite culture was often used as a derogatory term, symbolizing something unclean or contemptible. In the Hebrew context, dogs were not the beloved pets they are in many cultures today; rather, they were scavengers and often associated with impurity. Hazael's use of this term to describe himself emphasizes his perceived insignificance and unworthiness. This self-deprecating language highlights the dramatic nature of God's plans, which often elevate the lowly and humble the proud, as seen in the lives of figures like David and Joseph. accomplish such a great thing?
The word "accomplish" in Hebrew is "asah," which means to do, make, or perform. It implies action and the bringing about of something significant. The "great thing" refers to the monumental task of becoming king, a role that carries immense responsibility and power. This phrase captures the tension between human inability and divine enablement. Throughout the Bible, God empowers individuals to accomplish tasks that seem impossible by human standards, reinforcing the idea that with God, all things are possible. Elisha answered
Elisha, the prophet, serves as God's mouthpiece, delivering divine messages and insights. His role is crucial in the narrative, as prophets in Israel were often the intermediaries between God and His people. Elisha's response is authoritative, reflecting his confidence in the revelation he has received from God. This highlights the importance of prophetic voices in guiding and shaping the destiny of nations and individuals according to God's will. The LORD has shown me
The phrase "The LORD has shown me" indicates divine revelation. The Hebrew word for "shown" is "ra'ah," meaning to see or perceive. This suggests that Elisha has received a vision or insight directly from God. In the biblical narrative, such revelations are pivotal moments where God's plans are unveiled to His chosen servants. This underscores the belief in a God who is actively involved in the affairs of humanity, revealing His will to those who seek Him. that you will become king over Aram
This prophetic declaration is significant, as it foretells a major political shift. Aram, known today as Syria, was a powerful kingdom and often an adversary of Israel. The Hebrew word for "king" is "melek," denoting a ruler or sovereign. This prophecy not only predicts Hazael's rise to power but also implies God's sovereignty over nations, orchestrating events according to His divine plan. It serves as a reminder of the biblical truth that God raises up and deposes kings, as seen in Daniel 2:21, emphasizing His ultimate authority over human history. Persons / Places / Events 1. HazaelInitially a servant of the king of Aram, Hazael is prophesied by Elisha to become king. His rise to power is marked by ambition and eventual fulfillment of the prophecy. 2. ElishaA prophet of God who succeeds Elijah. He is known for his miracles and prophecies, including the foretelling of Hazael's future as king. 3. AramA kingdom located in present-day Syria. It was often in conflict with Israel during the time of the kings. 4. Ben-HadadThe king of Aram at the time, who is ill and sends Hazael to inquire of Elisha regarding his recovery. 5. The LORDThe God of Israel, who reveals future events to His prophets, demonstrating His sovereignty and omniscience. Teaching Points God's SovereigntyGod's plans are often beyond human understanding, and He uses unexpected people and circumstances to fulfill His purposes. Prophetic FulfillmentThe accuracy of Elisha's prophecy demonstrates the reliability of God's word. Believers can trust in the fulfillment of God's promises. Humility and AmbitionHazael's initial humility ("a mere dog") contrasts with his later actions. Believers should guard against pride and ambition that lead away from God's will. Divine RevelationGod reveals His plans to those who seek Him. Believers should cultivate a relationship with God to understand His will for their lives. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Hazael's response to Elisha's prophecy reflect his character, and what can we learn about humility from this interaction? 2. In what ways does the account of Hazael's rise to power illustrate the theme of God's sovereignty over nations and leaders? 3. How can we apply the lesson of prophetic fulfillment in 2 Kings 8:13 to our understanding of God's promises in our lives today? 4. What are some modern-day examples of God using unexpected people or circumstances to accomplish His purposes, and how can we be open to being used by God in similar ways? 5. How does the account of Hazael challenge us to examine our own ambitions and align them with God's will, and what steps can we take to ensure our ambitions honor God? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Kings 19:15-17This passage provides background on Hazael's rise to power, as God instructs Elijah to anoint Hazael as king over Aram, showing the continuity of God's plan. 2 Kings 9:14-15This passage describes the political intrigue and eventual assassination of Ben-Hadad, fulfilling Elisha's prophecy about Hazael. Proverbs 16:9This verse highlights the theme of God's sovereignty over human plans, as seen in Hazael's unexpected rise to power. 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 Accomplish, Aram, Clear, Dog, Elisha, Eli'sha, Feat, Hazael, Haz'ael, Mere, Possible, Servant, Shewed, Shewn, Showed, Shown, Syria, WiltDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 8:13 4630 dog 2 Kings 8:13-15 5092 Elijah 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 8:13 NIV2 Kings 8:13 NLT2 Kings 8:13 ESV2 Kings 8:13 NASB2 Kings 8:13 KJV
2 Kings 8:13 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
