2 Kings 8:9

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 Benhadad king of Syria hath sent me to thee, saying, Shall I recover of this disease?

So Hazael {H2371} went {H3212} to meet {H7125} him, and took {H3947} a present {H4503} with him {H3027}, even of every good thing {H2898} of Damascus {H1834}, forty {H705} camels {H1581}' burden {H4853}, and came {H935} and stood {H5975} before {H6440} him, and said {H559}, Thy son {H1121} Benhadad {H1130} king {H4428} of Syria {H758} hath sent {H7971} me to thee, saying {H559}, Shall I recover {H2421} of this disease {H2483}?

Haza'el went to meet him, taking with him a gift that included everything good Dammesek had, forty camel-loads. He came, stood before him and said, "Your son Ben-Hadad king of Aram has sent me to you; he asks, 'Will I recover from this illness?'"

So Hazael went to meet Elisha, taking with him a gift of forty camel loads of every good thing from Damascus. And he went in and stood before him and said, “Your son Ben-hadad king of Aram has sent me to ask, ‘Will I recover from this illness?’”

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 sickness?

Commentary

2 Kings 8:9 details a significant diplomatic and prophetic encounter, where Hazael, a high-ranking official from Syria (Aram), approaches the prophet Elisha on behalf of the ailing King Benhadad. This verse sets the stage for a crucial turn of events in the history of both nations.

Context

At this point in the narrative, the prophet Elisha is in Damascus, the capital of Syria. King Benhadad of Syria is suffering from a severe illness and, having heard of Elisha's powerful miracles and prophetic insight—perhaps even his ability to heal—sends Hazael, one of his most trusted servants, to inquire about his prospects of recovery. This action is remarkable, as Benhadad is a foreign king, often at odds with Israel. His decision to consult Elisha underscores the widespread recognition of Elisha's divine authority, even among those outside Israel's covenant. The lavish gift brought by Hazael signifies the king's desperation and his profound respect for Elisha's prophetic power.

Key Themes

  • Seeking Divine Guidance in Crisis: King Benhadad's appeal to Elisha illustrates a universal human tendency to seek spiritual answers and intervention when faced with life-threatening illness or dire circumstances, regardless of one's background or beliefs.
  • The Power of a Royal Offering: The "forty camels' burden" of "every good thing of Damascus" represents an immense and extravagant gift. This was not merely a customary offering but a display of immense wealth and a deep desire to gain favor and a positive word from the prophet, reflecting the king's high stakes and urgency.
  • Foreshadowing of Future Events: This encounter is the first direct interaction between Elisha and Hazael, a man destined for a powerful and violent future. The meeting immediately precedes Elisha's chilling prophecy to Hazael regarding his role in Syria's future kingship and the suffering he would inflict upon Israel.

Linguistic & Cultural Insights

The phrase "forty camels' burden" is a vivid description of an extraordinary amount of wealth. A single camel could carry several hundred pounds, so forty camels laden with the finest goods from Damascus—a city renowned for its trade and luxury items—would have represented a staggering sum. This detail emphasizes the king's earnestness and the high value he placed on Elisha's potential answer. In ancient Near Eastern culture, approaching a prophet or monarch with a significant gift was a common practice, demonstrating respect, earnestness, and a desire to secure a favorable outcome.

Practical Application

This verse highlights the far-reaching influence of God's prophets and the recognition of divine power even among those who do not worship the God of Israel. It reminds us of human vulnerability in the face of illness and the innate desire to seek answers beyond ourselves. For believers, it reinforces the truth that God's plans unfold through various means, sometimes involving unlikely individuals or interactions, and that His sovereignty extends over all nations and kings. The subsequent verses reveal the profound implications of Elisha's response to Benhadad's inquiry and Hazael's actions.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 5:13 (2 votes)

    And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, [if] the prophet had bid thee [do some] great thing, wouldest thou not have done [it]? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?

  • 2 Kings 6:21 (2 votes)

    And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite [them]? shall I smite [them]?

  • 2 Kings 13:14 (2 votes)

    Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.

  • 2 Kings 16:7 (2 votes)

    So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, saying, I [am] thy servant and thy son: come up, and save me out of the hand of the king of Syria, and out of the hand of the king of Israel, which rise up against me.

  • 2 Kings 5:5 (2 votes)

    And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand [pieces] of gold, and ten changes of raiment.

  • 1 Samuel 25:8 (2 votes)

    Ask thy young men, and they will shew thee. Wherefore let the young men find favour in thine eyes: for we come in a good day: give, I pray thee, whatsoever cometh to thine hand unto thy servants, and to thy son David.

  • 1 Kings 19:15 (2 votes)

    And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael [to be] king over Syria: