Then Elisha came to Damascus while Ben-hadad king of Aram was sick, and the king was told, "The man of God has come here." Then Elisha came to DamascusElisha's journey to Damascus signifies a pivotal moment in his prophetic ministry, as Damascus was the capital of Aram, a nation often at odds with Israel. This visit underscores the reach of God's influence beyond Israel's borders. Historically, Damascus was a significant city in the ancient Near East, known for its strategic location and wealth. Elisha's presence there highlights the prophetic role in international affairs, reminiscent of Elijah's interactions with foreign powers ( 1 Kings 19:15). while Ben-hadad king of Aram was sick
Ben-hadad, a common name for Aramean kings, was a formidable adversary of Israel. His illness sets the stage for a divine intervention through Elisha. The mention of his sickness may indicate a moment of vulnerability, both personally and politically, for Aram. This context is crucial as it opens the door for God's message to be delivered to a foreign king, similar to how God used Joseph and Daniel in foreign courts (Genesis 41; Daniel 2). and the king was told,
The king's awareness of Elisha's presence suggests the prophet's reputation had spread beyond Israel. This acknowledgment by a foreign king highlights the respect and recognition Elisha commanded, akin to the acknowledgment of Joseph's wisdom by Pharaoh (Genesis 41:38-39). It also sets the stage for the unfolding events, where divine insight will be sought from the prophet. “The man of God has come here.”
The title "man of God" is a significant recognition of Elisha's role and authority as a prophet. It denotes a person who speaks on behalf of God, carrying divine authority and insight. This acknowledgment by a foreign court underscores the universal recognition of God's power and the prophetic office. It also foreshadows the influence Elisha will have in the events to follow, similar to how Jesus was recognized as a man of God by those outside the Jewish community (Mark 5:7). Persons / Places / Events 1. ElishaA prophet of God, successor to Elijah, known for performing miracles and providing guidance to the kings of Israel. 2. DamascusThe capital city of Aram (modern-day Syria), a significant political and trade center in the ancient Near East. 3. Ben-hadadThe king of Aram, who was ill at the time of Elisha's visit. His name means "son of Hadad," a storm god worshiped in the region. 4. AramA kingdom located in present-day Syria, often in conflict with Israel during the time of the kings. 5. The man of GodA term used to refer to prophets, emphasizing their role as messengers and representatives of the divine. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty Over NationsElisha's presence in Damascus signifies God's influence beyond Israel, reminding us that God's sovereignty extends over all nations and leaders. The Role of ProphetsProphets like Elisha serve as God's messengers, providing guidance and revealing God's will. We should seek to understand and heed God's word through Scripture and godly counsel. Divine AppointmentsElisha's visit to Damascus was not coincidental but divinely orchestrated. We should be attentive to God's timing and purpose in our interactions and circumstances. God's Concern for All PeopleThe interaction between Elisha and the Arameans shows that God's concern is not limited to Israel but extends to all people. We are called to share God's love and truth with everyone, regardless of their background. Faith in ActionElisha's journey to a foreign land demonstrates faith in action. We are encouraged to step out in faith, trusting God to use us in unexpected ways and places. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Elisha's visit to Damascus demonstrate God's sovereignty over nations, and how can this understanding impact our view of current global events? 2. In what ways can we seek and recognize God's guidance in our lives, similar to how Elisha provided guidance to the kings? 3. Reflect on a time when you experienced a "divine appointment." How did it shape your faith journey, and what can you learn from Elisha's example? 4. How can we actively share God's love and truth with people from different backgrounds, as Elisha did with the Arameans? 5. What steps can you take to put your faith into action, trusting God to use you in unexpected ways and places? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Kings 5This chapter recounts the healing of Naaman, the Aramean commander, by Elisha, highlighting the prophet's influence and God's power over nations beyond Israel. 1 Kings 19:15-17God instructs Elijah to anoint Hazael as king over Aram, which sets the stage for the events in 2 Kings 8. 2 Kings 13:14-19Elisha's final prophecy and his influence on the kings of Israel, demonstrating his continued role as a spiritual leader until his death. 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, Benhadad, Ben-hadad, Ben-ha'dad, Damascus, Declared, Elisha, Eli'sha, Hither, Ill, Saying, Sick, SyriaDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 8:7-8 8636 asking 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 8:7 NIV2 Kings 8:7 NLT2 Kings 8:7 ESV2 Kings 8:7 NASB2 Kings 8:7 KJV
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