2 Kings 8

2Ki 8:1-6.

THE

SHUNAMMITE'S

LAND

RESTORED.

1. Then spake Elisha unto the woman--rather "had spoken." The

repetition of Elisha's direction to the Shunammite is merely given as

an introduction to the following narrative; and it probably took place

before the events recorded in

chapters 5 and 6.

the Lord hath called for a famine--All such calamities are

chastisements inflicted by the hand of God; and this famine was to be

of double duration to that one which happened in the time of Elijah

(Jas 5:17)

--a just increase of severity, since the Israelites still continued

obdurate and incorrigible under the ministry and miracles of Elisha

(Le 26:21, 24, 28).

2. she . . . sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven

years--Their territory was recommended to her from its contiguity

to her usual residence; and now that this state had been so greatly

reduced, there was less risk than formerly from the seductions of

idolatry; and many of the Jews and Israelites were residing there.

Besides, an emigration thither was less offensive to the king of Israel

than going to sojourn in Judah.

3. she went forth to cry unto the king for her house and for her

land--In consequence of her long-continued absence from the country,

her possessions were occupied by her kindred, or had been confiscated

But the innovation seems to have been adopted in Israel.

4-6. the king talked with Gehazi--Ceremonial pollution being conveyed

with this leper at a distance; and although he was excluded from the

town of Samaria, this reported conversation may have taken place at

the gate or in one of the royal gardens. The providence of God so

ordained that King Jehoram had been led to inquire, with great

interest, into the miraculous deeds of Elisha, and that the prophet's

servant was in the act of relating the marvellous incident of the

restoration of the Shunammite's son when she made her appearance to

prefer her request. The king was pleased to grant it; and a state

officer was charged to afford her every facility in the recovery of her

family possession out of the hands of the occupier.

2Ki 8:7-15.

HAZAEL

KILLS

HIS

MASTER, AND

SUCCEEDS

HIM.

7, 8. Elisha came to Damascus--He was directed thither by the Spirit

of God, in pursuance of the mission formerly given to his master in

Horeb

(1Ki 19:15),

to anoint Hazael king of Syria. On the arrival of the prophet being

known, Ben-hadad, who was sick, sent to inquire the issue of his

disease, and, according to the practice of the heathens in consulting

their soothsayers, ordered a liberal present in remuneration for the

service.

9. forty camels' burden--The present, consisting of the rarest and

most valuable produce of the land, would be liberal and magnificent.

But it must not be supposed it was actually so large as to require

forty camels to carry it. The Orientals are fond of display, and would,

ostentatiously, lay upon forty beasts what might very easily have been

borne by four.

Thy son Ben-hadad--so called from the established usage of designating

the prophet "father." This was the same Syrian monarch who had formerly

persecuted him (see

2Ki 6:13, 14).

10. Go, say . . . Thou mayest certainly recover--There was no

contradiction in this message. This part was properly the answer to

Ben-hadad's inquiry

[2Ki 8:9].

The second part was intended for Hazael, who, like an artful and

ambitious courtier, reported only as much of the prophet's statement as

suited his own views (compare

2Ki 8:14).

11. he settled his countenance stedfastly until he was ashamed--that

is, Hazael. The steadfast, penetrating look of the prophet seemed to

have convinced Hazael that his secret designs were known. The deep

emotions of Elisha were justified by the horrible atrocities which, too

common in ancient warfare, that successful usurper committed in Israel

(2Ki 10:32;

13:3, 4, 22).

15. took a thick cloth, &c.--a coverlet. In the East, this

article of bedding is generally a thick quilt of wool or cotton, so

that, with its great weight, when steeped in water, it would be a fit

instrument for accomplishing the murderous purpose, without leaving any

marks of violence. It has been supposed by many doubtful that Hazael

purposely murdered the king. But it is common for Eastern people to

sleep with their faces covered with a mosquito net; and, in some cases

of fever, they dampen the bedclothes. Hazael, aware of those chilling

remedies being usually resorted to, might have, with an honest

intention, spread a refreshing cover over him. The rapid occurrence of

the king's death and immediate burial were favorable to his instant

elevation to the throne.

2Ki 8:16-23.

JEHORAM'S

WICKED

REIGN.

16. Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat . . . began to

reign--(See on

2Ki 3:1).

His father resigned the throne to him two years before his death.

18. daughter of Ahab--Athaliah, through whose influence Jehoram

introduced the worship of Baal and many other evils into the kingdom of

Judah (see

2Ch 21:2-20).

This apostasy would have led to the total extinction of the royal

family in that kingdom, had it not been for the divine promise to David

(2Sa 7:16).

A national chastisement, however, was inflicted on Judah by the revolt

of Edom, which, being hitherto governed by a tributary ruler

(2Ki 3:9;

1Ki 22:47),

erected the standard of independence

(2Ch 21:9).

2Ki 8:24.

AHAZIAH

SUCCEEDS

HIM.

24. Ahaziah his son reigned in his

stead--(See on

2Ch 22:1).