Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition) (continued)
Elitha Prophesies Plenty in Samaria. 2 KINGS VII, VIII. Hazael Kills Ben-hadad, and Succeeds Mm
33. Bat Ellsha gat in Ma bonse, and tlie elders gat with him—The latter clause of v. 33, which contains the king's Impatient exclamation, enables us to account for the impetuous order he Issued for the beheading of Elisha. Though Jehoram was a wicked king, and most of his courtiers would resemble their master, many had been won over, through the prophet's influence, to the true respoken." The repetition of Elisha's direction to the Shnnammite is merely given as an introduction to the following narrative; and it probably took place before the events recorded in chaps. 5. and 6. the Lord hatit 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 (James 5.17)—a just Increase of severity, sinoe the Israelites still continued obdurate and Incorrigible, under the ministry and miracles of Elisha (Leviticus 26.
ligion. A meeting, probably a prayer-meeting, of those was held in tlie house where he lodged, for he had none of his own (1 Kings 19.20,21); and them he not only apprised of the king's design against himself, but disclosed
21, 21, 28). ^. she sojourned in the land of tlie 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 oflfensive to the king of Israel than going to sojourn in Judali. 3. slie 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 to the crown. No statute in the law of Moses ordained t!i:it alienation. But tlie innovation seems to have been adopled in Israel. 4. the king talked with Gehazi—Ceremonial pollution being conveyed by contact alone, there was nothing to prevent a conference being held 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 Elislia, and that the prophet's servant was in the act of relating the marvellous incident of the restoration of the Sluinammite'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 aflbrd her every facility in the recovery of her family possession out of the hands of the occupier.
to them the proof of a premeditated deliverance.
CHAPTER VII.
Ver. 1-16. Elisha Prophesies Incredible Plenty in Samaria. 1. Hear ye tlie word of the Ijord—This prediction, though uttered first to the assembled elders, was Intimated to the king's messengers, who reported it to Jehoram (v. 18). To-morrow, ahout tliig time, shall a measure of flne flonr be sold for a shekel, &c.—This may be estimated at a peck of fine flour for 2s. 6d, and two pecks of barley at the same price, at tlie gate of Samaria—Vegetables, cattle, all sorte of country produce, are still sold every morning at the gates of ',owns in the East. a. a lord on whose band the king 1< med—Wlien an Eastern king walks, or stands abroad in the open air, he always supports himself on the arm of the highest courtier present, il the Lord would make windows in heaven—The scoffing infidelity of this remark, which was a sneer against not the prophet only, but the God he served, was justly and signally punished (see v. 20). 3. there were four leprous men—The account of the sudden raising of the siege, and the unexpected supply givep to the famishing inhabitants of Samaria, is introduced by a narrative of the visit and discovery, by these poor creatures, of the extraordinary flight of the Syrians, leprous men at the entering of the gate—Living, perhaps, in some lazar-liouse there. (Leviticus 13. 4-6; Numbers 5. 3.) 6. they rose up in the twilight—i. e., the evening twilight (v. 12). the uttermost part of the camp of Syria
7-15. Hazael Kills His Master, and Succeeds Him. 7. Elisha came to Damascus—Being directed tliither by the Spirit of God, in pursuance of the mission formerly given to his master in Horeb (1 Kings 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 of 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 I'equire 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 on ch. 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. The second part was intended for Hazael, who, like an artful and almbitious courtier, reported only as much of the prophet's statement as suited his own views i. e., the extremity nearest the city. 6, 7. the Lord liad made the host of the Syrians to hear tlie noise of chariots—This illusion of the sense of hearing, wliereby the besiegers imagined the tramp of two armies from opposite quarters, was a great miracle whicli God wrought directly for the deliverance of his people. 8-11. tliese lepers . . . did eat and drink—After they had appeased their hunger, and secreted as many valuables as they could carry, their consciences smote them for concealing the discovery, and tliey hastened to publish it in the city. 10. hones tied, asses tied, and the tents as they were The uniform arrangement of encampments in the East is, to place the tents In the centre, while the cattle are picketed all around, as an outer wall of defence ; and hence the lepers describe the cattle as the first objects they saw. 1S4-15. tlie king . . . said unto his servants, I will now how you what the Syrians have done—Similar stratagems have been so often resorted to in the ancient and modern wars of the East, that there is no wonder Jehoram's suspicions were awakened. But the scouts, whom he (Jespatched, soon found unmistakable signs of the panic that had struck the enemy, and led to a most precipitate flight.
(cf. V. 14). 11. he settled his countenance steadfastly upon him, until he wag ashamed i. e., Hazael. The steadfast, penetrating look of the prophet seemed to have convinced lil&Zael that his secret designs were known, and the deep emotions of Elisha were Justified by the horril)le atrocities which, too common in ancient warfare, that successful usurper committed in Israel (ch. 10. 32; 13.
17-20. The Unbelieving Lord Trodden to Death. 17. the king appointed the lord on whose hand he leaned, &c. — The news spread like lightning through the city, and was followed, as was natural, by a popular rush to the Syrian camp. To keep order at the gate, the king ordered his minister to keep guard ; but the impetuosity of the famishing people could not be resisted. The lord was trodden to death, and Elisha's prophecy in all respects accomplished.
3, 4, 22). 15. took a tliick cloth, <fcc.—A coverlet. In the East, this article of bed furniture 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. But it has been supposed by many doubtful that Hazael purposely murdered the king. It is common for Eastern people to sleep with their facet
CHAPTER VIII. Ver. 1-fl. The Shunammite's Land Restored. 1. Then spake Elisha unto the woman— Rather "had