Now the king had been speaking to Gehazi, the servant of the man of God, saying, "Please relate to me all the great things Elisha has done." Now the kingThe king in this context is likely Jehoram, the son of Ahab, who reigned over Israel. His reign was marked by a continuation of the idolatrous practices of his father, yet here we see a moment of curiosity or perhaps respect for the divine acts performed by Elisha. This highlights the tension between political power and spiritual authority, a recurring theme in the history of Israel. was talking with Gehazi
Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, is a complex character. Previously, he had been struck with leprosy for his greed and deceit (2 Kings 5:27). His presence here suggests a possible reconciliation or a narrative device to convey the accounts of Elisha's miracles. Gehazi's role as a servant of the prophet underscores the importance of servanthood in the biblical narrative, where even flawed individuals can be used to convey God's message. the servant of the man of God
This phrase emphasizes Gehazi's association with Elisha, the "man of God." In the Hebrew context, a "man of God" is a prophet, someone who speaks on behalf of God. Elisha's ministry was marked by powerful miracles and acts of divine intervention, serving as a testament to God's sovereignty and presence among His people. The term "servant" also reflects the biblical principle of humility and service as pathways to divine purpose. saying, 'Please relate to me
The king's request is polite and earnest, indicating a genuine interest in the works of Elisha. This request can be seen as an acknowledgment of the power and authority of God working through His prophet. It reflects a moment where earthly authority seeks understanding or validation from divine acts, a reminder of the ultimate sovereignty of God over human affairs. all the great things Elisha has done.'
Elisha's ministry was characterized by numerous miracles, including the raising of the Shunammite's son, the healing of Naaman, and the provision of oil for the widow. These "great things" are not just acts of power but are deeply symbolic of God's care, provision, and intervention in the lives of His people. They serve as a testament to God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises. The king's interest in these acts suggests a recognition of the divine at work, even amidst a backdrop of idolatry and rebellion. Persons / Places / Events 1. The King of IsraelLikely King Jehoram, who was interested in the miraculous works of Elisha, the prophet. 2. GehaziThe servant of Elisha, who had previously been struck with leprosy for his greed ( 2 Kings 5:27), yet here he is speaking with the king. 3. ElishaThe prophet of God, known for performing many miracles and being a powerful voice for God in Israel. 4. The Miracles of ElishaThe context involves recounting the miraculous acts performed by Elisha, which were significant enough to capture the king's interest. Teaching Points The Power of TestimonySharing the works of God can inspire faith and curiosity in others, as seen in the king's interest in Elisha's miracles. God's Grace and RedemptionDespite Gehazi's past sins, he is still used in a position to testify about God's works, illustrating God's grace and the possibility of redemption. The Influence of Godly LivesElisha's life and actions had a profound impact, reaching even the king. Our lives should similarly reflect God's power and love. The Importance of Spiritual CuriosityThe king's desire to hear about Elisha's deeds shows the importance of seeking knowledge about God's work, encouraging us to pursue understanding and wisdom. The Role of Servants in God's PlanGehazi, though flawed, played a role in God's account, reminding us that God can use anyone for His purposes. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the king's interest in Elisha's miracles challenge us to share our own testimonies of God's work in our lives? 2. In what ways can we see God's grace in Gehazi's account, and how can this encourage us in our own walk with God? 3. How can Elisha's influence on the king inspire us to live lives that reflect God's power and love to those around us? 4. What steps can we take to cultivate a spiritual curiosity similar to the king's, seeking to learn more about God's work in the world? 5. How does the account of Gehazi remind us that God can use anyone, regardless of their past, for His purposes? How can we apply this truth in our interactions with others? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Kings 4:8-37This passage details one of Elisha's miracles, the raising of the Shunammite woman's son, which Gehazi might have recounted to the king. 2 Kings 5:1-27The account of Naaman's healing and Gehazi's subsequent punishment for greed, providing background on Gehazi's character and his relationship with Elisha. 1 Kings 19:19-21The calling of Elisha by Elijah, establishing Elisha's role as a prophet and his dedication to God's work. Hebrews 11:32-34This passage in the New Testament references the prophets and their acts of faith, which can be connected to Elisha's miraculous deeds. 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 Account, Elisha, Eli'sha, Gehazi, Geha'zi, Please, Recount, Relate, Saying, Servant, Speaking, Talked, TalkingDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 8:1-6 5492 restitution 2 Kings 8:3-5 5230 beggars 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 8:4 NIV2 Kings 8:4 NLT2 Kings 8:4 ESV2 Kings 8:4 NASB2 Kings 8:4 KJV
2 Kings 8:4 Commentaries
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