So the king said to Hazael, "Take a gift in your hand, go to meet the man of God, and inquire of the LORD through him, 'Will I recover from this illness?'" So the king said to HazaelThis phrase introduces us to the king of Aram, Ben-Hadad, who is speaking to Hazael, a high-ranking official in his court. Hazael would later become king himself, as prophesied by Elisha ( 2 Kings 8:13). The political context here is significant, as Aram (modern-day Syria) was often in conflict with Israel, yet the king seeks counsel from a prophet of Israel, indicating the recognized power and influence of the God of Israel. Take a gift in your hand
Offering gifts to prophets or seers was a common practice in the ancient Near East, reflecting respect and the hope of receiving a favorable prophecy. This act also underscores the king's desperation and acknowledgment of the prophet's authority. Similar instances are seen in 1 Samuel 9:7-8, where Saul seeks Samuel with a gift. go to meet the man of God
The "man of God" refers to Elisha, a prominent prophet in Israel known for his miracles and divine insight. Elisha's reputation had spread beyond Israel, and even foreign kings sought his counsel. This highlights the reach of God's influence through His prophets. and inquire of the LORD through him
This phrase indicates the belief that prophets served as intermediaries between God and people. The king of Aram, despite being a pagan, recognizes the power of the God of Israel and seeks His guidance through Elisha. This reflects a broader biblical theme where God’s wisdom and power are acknowledged by Gentiles, as seen with Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4:34-37. ‘Will I recover from this illness?’
The king's inquiry about his recovery shows his concern for his health and future. Illness in ancient times was often seen as a sign of divine displeasure or a test of faith. This question also sets the stage for the unfolding of God's plan, as Elisha's response will lead to significant political changes in Aram. The inquiry reflects a universal human concern for health and mortality, echoing the biblical theme of seeking divine intervention in times of personal crisis. Persons / Places / Events 1. King Ben-HadadThe king of Aram (Syria) who is ill and seeks to know if he will recover. 2. HazaelA servant of King Ben-Hadad, who is sent to inquire of the prophet Elisha. 3. ElishaThe prophet of God, referred to as the "man of God," who is consulted for divine insight. 4. Aram (Syria)The kingdom ruled by Ben-Hadad, often in conflict with Israel. 5. The LORDThe God of Israel, whose guidance is sought through His prophet. Teaching Points Seeking God's GuidanceThe importance of seeking God's will in times of uncertainty and illness. Encouragement to approach God with our questions and concerns, trusting in His wisdom. Role of Prophets and God's WordThe role of prophets in the Old Testament as mediators of God's will. Today, we have the complete Word of God and the Holy Spirit to guide us. God's Sovereignty Over NationsGod's control and influence over all nations, not just Israel. Understanding that God’s plans often extend beyond our immediate understanding. Faith and ActionThe act of sending Hazael with a gift reflects a belief in the power of God’s prophet. Encourages believers to act in faith, seeking God’s intervention in their lives. Bible Study Questions 1. What does King Ben-Hadad's decision to consult Elisha reveal about his understanding of God's power and influence? 2. How does the role of Hazael in this passage foreshadow his future as king, and what does this teach us about God's plans? 3. In what ways can we seek God's guidance today, and how does this compare to the way King Ben-Hadad sought guidance? 4. How does the account of Naaman in 2 Kings 5 relate to this passage, and what lessons can we learn about faith and healing? 5. Reflect on a time when you sought God's guidance in a difficult situation. How did you discern His will, and what was the outcome? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Kings 19:15-17This passage provides background on Hazael, as God instructs Elijah to anoint him as king over Aram, indicating God's sovereignty over nations. 2 Kings 5:1-14The account of Naaman, another Aramean who seeks healing from Elisha, showing the influence and recognition of God's power beyond Israel. James 5:14-15This New Testament passage speaks to seeking God's will and healing through prayer and the anointing of the sick, paralleling the act of seeking divine insight for healing. 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 Better, Consult, Directions, Disease, Enquire, Gift, Hast, Hazael, Haz'ael, Illness, Inquire, Meet, Offering, Present, Recover, Revive, Saying, Sickness, SoughtDictionary 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 8:8 NIV2 Kings 8:8 NLT2 Kings 8:8 ESV2 Kings 8:8 NASB2 Kings 8:8 KJV
2 Kings 8:8 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
