Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition)
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
Jehu is Anointed King. 2 KINGS IX, X. Joram Slain, and Jezebd Eaten by Dogs.
covered with a mosquito net: anid, lu some cases of fever, they damp the bed-clothes. 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 favourable to his instant elevation to the throne..
—Rather, was keeping, guarding, or besieging it, with the greater part of the military force of Israel, which, owing to his wounds haying compelled the king's retirement from the scene of action, were left in command of Jehu. 16. So Jehu rode in a cliariot, and went to Jezreel— Full of ambitious designs, he immediately proceeded to cross the Jordan, to execute his commission on the house of Ahab. 17. there stood a watchman on the tower of Jezrecl-The Hebrew palaces, besides being situated on hills, had usually towers attached to them, not only for the pleasure of a fine prospect, but as posts of useful observation. The ancient watch-tower of Jezreel must have commanded a view of the whole region eastward, nearly down to the Jordan. Beth-shan stands on a rising ground about six or seven miles distant below it, in a narrow part of the plain ; and when Jehu and his retinue reached that point between Gilboa and Beth-shan, they would be fully descried by the watchman on the tower, a report being made to Joram in his palace below. A messenger on horseback is quickly despatched down into the plain to me€fc the ambiguous host, and question the object of their approach. "Is it peace?" We may safely assume that this messenger would meet Jehu at the distance of three miles or more. On the report made of his being detained, and turned into the rear of the still advancing troops, a second messenger is in like mahner despatched, who would naturally meet Jehu at the distance of a mile or a mile and a half down on the plain. He also being turned into the rear, the watchman now distinctly perceived " the driving to be like the driving of Jehu, the son of Nimshi ; for he driveth furiously." The alarmed monarch, now awakened to a sense of his impending danger, quickly summons his forces to meet the crisis, and, accompanied by Ahaziah, king of Judah, the two sovereigns ascend their chariots to make a feeble resistance to the impetuous onset of Jehu, who quickly from the plain ascends the steep northern sides of the site on which Jezreel stood, and the conflicting parties meet in "the portion of Naboth the Jezreelite," where Joram is quickly despatched by an arrow from the strong arm of Jehu. We were impressed with the obvious accuracy of the sacred historian
16-23. Jehoram's Wicked Reign. 16. Jehorain the son of Jeliosbaphat . . . began to reign— (see on ch:
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 2 Chronicles 21. 2-20). This apostasy would have led to the total extinction of Kie royal family in that kingdom, had it not been for the Divine promise to David (2 Samuel 7). A national chastisement, however, was inflicted on Judah by the revolt of Edom, which, being hitherto governed by a tributary ruler (ch. 3. 9 ; 1 Kings 22. 47), erected the standard of Independence (see on 2 Chronicles 21.9).
2i, Ahaziah ScrccEEDS Him. m. Ahaziah his son reigned lu Ills stead—(see on 2 Chronicles 22. 1-6).
CHAPTEE IX.
Ver. 1-23. Jehu is Anointed. 1. Ramoth-gilead— city of great importance to the Hebrew people, east of Jordan, as a fortress of defence against the Syrians. Jehoram had regained it (ch. 8. 29). But the Israelitish army was still encamped there, under the command of Jehu. Bllgha called one of the children of the prophets This errand referred to the last commission given to Elijah in Horeb (1 Kings 19. 16). box of oil—(see 1 Samuel
10. 1). !J. carry him to an Inner chamber—Both to ensure the safety of the messenger, and to prevent all obstruction in the execution of the business. 3. I have anointed thee king over Israel—This was only a part of the message; the full announcement of which is given
(v. 7-10). flee and tarry not For fear of being surprised and overtaken by the spies or servants of the court. 4. So the young man . . . \vent to Ramoth-gilcad—His ready undertaking of this delicate and hazardous mission was an eminentproof of his piety and obedience. The act of anointing being done through a commissioned prophet, was a Divine intimation of his investiture with the sovereign power. But it was sometimes done long prior to the actual possession of the throne (1 Samuel 16. 13), and, in like manner, the commission had, in this Instance, been given also a long time before to Elijah, who, for good reasons, left it in charge to Elisha, and he waited God's time and command for executing it. [Poolb.] 10. in the portion of Jezreel i. e., that had formerly been the vineyard of Naboth. 11. Is all well J Ac—Jeh\j's attendants knew that the stranger belonged to the order of the prophets by his garb, gestures, and form of address; and soldiers like them very readily concluded such persons to be crackbrained, not only from the sordid negligence of their personal appearance, and their open contempt of the world, but from the religious pursuits in which their whole lives were spent, and the grotesque actions which they frequently performed (cf. Jeremiah 29. 26). 13. they Ikastefl, 'and toolK every man his garment— The upper cloak the loQUlitiea and distances being such as seem naturally to bo required by the incidents related, aff'ording just time for the transactions to have occurred in the order in which they are recorded. [Howe.] 35. cast him in the portion of tlte fleld of IVabotli the Jezreelite, &c.—According to the doom pronounced by Divine authority on Aliab (1 Kings 21. 19), but which on liis repentance was deferred to be executed on his son. 36. the blood of Nabotli, and the blood of sons, saltlt tlieL,ord—Altliough their death is not expressly mentioned, it is plainly Implied in the confiscation of his property (see on 1 Kings
27-,S5. Ahaziah is Slain. 37. Ahaziah—was grandnephew to King Joram, and great-grandson to King Ahab. Ibleain—near Megiddo, in the tribe of Issachar(Joshuiv>17.
11 ; Judges 1. 27), and Gur was an adjoining hill. 30. Jezebel painted lier face—ii/., her ey<'s, according to a custom universal in the East amongst women, of staining the eyelids with a black powder, made of pulverized antimony, or lead-ore, mixed with oil, and applied with a small brush on the border, so that by this dark ligament on the edge, the largeness as well as the lustre of the eye Itself was thought to bo inireased. Her object was, by her royal attire, not to captivate, but to overawe Jehu. 35. foititd no more of her tlian tlie skull, and the palms of licr hands, &c.—The dog has a rooted aversion to prey on the human hands and feet.
which they spread on the ground, as a token of their homage to their distinguished commander (Matthew 21.
7). trtp of the stairs—From the room where the prophet had privately anointed Jehu. That general returned to Join his brother ofllcers in the public apartment, who, Immediately on learning his destined elevation, conducted him to tlje top of the stairs leading to the roof, and which was the most conspicuous place of an Oriental structure that could bo chosen, being at the very top of the gate-building, and fully In view of the people and military in the open ground In front of the building. [KlTTO.] The popularity of Jehu with the army thus favoured the designs of Providence In procuring his Immediate and enthusiastic proclamation as king, and the top of tne stairs was taken as a most convenient substitute
36,37. Jezekkl Eatkn nv DoGS. 36. he said. This ! the wor<l of the Lord—(see on 1 Kings 21. 23). Jehu's statement, however, was not a literal but a paraphrased quotation of Elijah's prophecy.
CHAPTER X.
Ver. 1-17. Jehu Causes Seventy ok Ahab's Chii.drmi TO UK Beiibadeu. 1. Ahab Ixtul seventy sons in Samaria —As it a])peivrs (v. 13) that grandsons are Included, It It for a throne. 14, 15. Joram had kept Ramoth-gilcad 236