"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 servant, a mere dog, do such a monstrous thing?Hazael's response to Elisha reflects a common Near Eastern expression of humility and self-deprecation. Referring to oneself as a "dog" was a way to express unworthiness or low status. This phrase indicates Hazael's initial shock and disbelief at the prophecy. In the cultural context, dogs were often seen as unclean animals, so this metaphor underscores Hazael's perceived insignificance. The "monstrous thing" refers to the future atrocities Hazael would commit as king, including violence against Israel ( 2 Kings 10:32-33). This phrase also highlights the tension between human perception and divine revelation, as Hazael cannot yet see himself in the role Elisha describes. said Hazael.
Hazael was a high-ranking official in the court of Ben-Hadad II, king of Aram (modern-day Syria). His name means "God has seen," which is ironic given the unfolding events. Historically, Hazael's rise to power marked a significant shift in the region's political landscape. Assyrian records outside the Bible also mention Hazael, confirming his historical existence and military campaigns. His dialogue with Elisha is pivotal, as it sets the stage for his future actions and the fulfillment of God's judgment against Israel. And Elisha answered,
Elisha, the prophet and successor of Elijah, plays a crucial role as God's spokesperson. His prophetic ministry was marked by miracles and direct communication with God. Elisha's response to Hazael is not just a prediction but a divine revelation. This interaction demonstrates the authority of the prophet and the certainty of God's plans. Elisha's calm and direct answer contrasts with Hazael's incredulity, emphasizing the inevitability of God's will. “The LORD has shown me that you will be king over Aram.”
This prophecy reveals God's sovereignty over nations and leaders. Despite Hazael's current position, God has determined his future as king. The LORD's revelation to Elisha underscores the theme of divine foreknowledge and control over history. This prophecy also fulfills Elijah's earlier commission to anoint Hazael as king over Aram (1 Kings 19:15), though the anointing itself is not described. Hazael's future kingship would have significant implications for Israel, as he would become a formidable adversary. This statement also serves as a reminder of God's use of foreign rulers to accomplish His purposes, a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament. 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
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