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Journey Through the Bible

2 Kings 8 King Ahaziah’s Reign in Judah and Injuries

1 The Shunammite’s Land Restored
Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, “Go away with your family and stay for a while wherever you can, because the Lord has decreed a famine in the land that will last seven years.”

2 The woman proceeded to do as the man of God said. She and her family went away and stayed in the land of the Philistines seven years.

3 At the end of the seven years she came back from the land of the Philistines and went to the king to beg for her house and land.

4 The king was talking to Gehazi, the servant of the man of God, and had said, “Tell me about all the great things Elisha has done.”

5 Just as Gehazi was telling the king how Elisha had restored the dead to life, the woman whose son Elisha had brought back to life came to beg the king for her house and land.
Gehazi said, “This is the woman, my lord the king, and this is her son whom Elisha restored to life.”

6 The king asked the woman about it, and she told him.
Then he assigned an official to her case and said to him, “Give back everything that belonged to her, including all the income from her land from the day she left the country until now.”

7 Hazael Murders Ben-Hadad
Elisha went to Damascus, and Ben-Hadad king of Aram was ill. When the king was told, “The man of God has come all the way up here,”

8 he said to Hazael, “Take a gift with you and go to meet the man of God. Consult the Lord through him; ask him, ‘Will I recover from this illness?’”

9 Hazael went to meet Elisha, taking with him as a gift forty camel-loads of all the finest wares of Damascus. 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?’”

10 Elisha answered, “Go and say to him, ‘You will certainly recover’; but the Lord has revealed to me that he will in fact die.”

11 He stared at him with a fixed gaze until Hazael felt ashamed. Then the man of God began to weep.

12 “Why is my lord weeping?” asked Hazael.
“Because I know the harm you will do to the Israelites,” he answered. “You will set fire to their fortified places, kill their young men with the sword, dash their little children to the ground, and rip open their pregnant women.”

13 Hazael said, “How could your servant, a mere dog, accomplish such a feat?”
“The Lord has shown me that you will become king of Aram,” answered Elisha.

14 Then Hazael left Elisha and returned to his master. When Ben-Hadad asked, “What did Elisha say to you?” Hazael replied, “He told me that you would certainly recover.”

15 But the next day he took a thick cloth, soaked it in water and spread it over the king’s face, so that he died. Then Hazael succeeded him as king.

16 Jehoram King of Judah
In the fifth year of Joram son of Ahab king of Israel, when Jehoshaphat was king of Judah, Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat began his reign as king of Judah.

17 He was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years.

18 He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for he married a daughter of Ahab. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord.

19 Nevertheless, for the sake of his servant David, the Lord was not willing to destroy Judah. He had promised to maintain a lamp for David and his descendants forever.

20 In the time of Jehoram, Edom rebelled against Judah and set up its own king.

21 So Jehoram went to Zair with all his chariots. The Edomites surrounded him and his chariot commanders, but he rose up and broke through by night; his army, however, fled back home.

22 To this day Edom has been in rebellion against Judah. Libnah revolted at the same time.

23 As for the other events of Jehoram’s reign, and all he did, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah?

24 Jehoram rested with his fathers and was buried with them in the City of David. And Ahaziah his son succeeded him as king.

25 Ahaziah King of Judah
In the twelfth year of Joram son of Ahab king of Israel, Ahaziah son of Jehoram king of Judah began to reign.

26 Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem one year. His mother’s name was Athaliah, a granddaughter of Omri king of Israel.

27 He walked in the ways of the house of Ahab and did evil in the eyes of the Lord, as the house of Ahab had done, for he was related by marriage to Ahab’s family.

28 Ahaziah went with Joram son of Ahab to war against Hazael king of Aram at Ramoth Gilead. The Arameans wounded Joram;

29 so King Joram returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds the Arameans had inflicted on him at Ramoth in his battle with Hazael king of Aram.
Then Ahaziah son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to Jezreel to see Joram son of Ahab, because he had been wounded.

Analysis of 2 Kings Chapter 8

The Book of 2 Kings is an essential component of the Old Testament, chronicling the history of the kings of Israel and Judah, their deeds, successes, and failures, which collectively illuminate the spiritual journey of the Israelite nation. Chapter 8 of 2 Kings is a particularly rich and varied narrative that encompasses themes of divine intervention, prophetic foresight, justice, and national destiny. The chapter can be divided into distinct segments for a clearer and more organized analysis: the Shunammite’s land restored (verses 1-6), the prophecy regarding Ben-Hadad’s death (verses 7-15), and the accounts of Jehoram and Ahaziah, kings of Judah (verses 16-29).

The Shunammite’s Land Restored (Verses 1-6)

The chapter opens with Elisha providing a directive to the Shunammite woman whose son he had previously resurrected (2 Kings 4:18-37). Elisha advises her to leave the land due to an impending seven-year famine. In these first six verses, we see a narrative of divine provision and the restorative justice of God.

Verses 1-2:

“Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, ‘Arise, and depart with your household and sojourn wherever you can, for the Lord has called for a famine, and it will come upon the land for seven years.’ So the woman arose and did according to the word of the man of God. She went with her household and sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven years.”

Elisha’s prophecy and the woman’s immediate obedience reflect her faith in God’s word through his prophet. The famine serves as both a test and a consequence; it is a test of faith for those who heed God’s warning and a consequence for the collective disobedience of the nation.

Verses 3-6:

“At the end of the seven years, the woman returned from the land of the Philistines, and she went to appeal to the king for her house and her land. Now the king was talking with Gehazi, the servant of the man of God, saying, ‘Tell me all the great things that Elisha has done.’ And while he was telling the king how Elisha had restored the dead to life, behold, the woman whose son he had restored to life appealed to the king for her house and her land. And Gehazi said, ‘My lord, O king, here is the woman, and here is her son whom Elisha restored to life.’ And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed an official for her, saying, ‘Restore all that was hers, together with all the produce of the fields from the day that she left the land until now.’”

This segment elegantly highlights God’s providential timing. Just as the king inquires about Elisha’s miracles, Gehazi narrates the resurrection of the Shunammite’s son. By divine coincidence, the woman appears, confirming Gehazi’s account. This testimony moves the king to restore not only her land but also compensate her for the produce missed during her absence, exemplifying restorative justice. The king’s decision emphasizes the honor and respect extended to those associated with God’s servant and thus, by extension, to God Himself.

Elisha and Hazael (Verses 7-15)

This section portrays the transition of power in Syria and a grim prophecy concerning the future actions of Hazael. It serves to illustrate the far-reaching consequences of divine prophetic word.

Verses 7-8:

“Now Elisha came to Damascus. Ben-Hadad the king of Syria was sick, and when it was told him, ‘The man of God has come here,’ the king said to Hazael, ‘Take a present with you and go to meet the man of God, and inquire of the Lord through him, saying, ‘Shall I recover from this sickness?’’”

Ben-Hadad’s recognition and acceptance of Elisha as a man of God who can inquire of the Lord indicates a level of respect and fear of God’s power beyond the borders of Israel. This recognition is particularly significant given that Ben-Hadad had previously been an enemy of Israel (1 Kings 20, 2 Kings 6).

Verses 9-15:

“So Hazael went to meet him, taking a present with him, all kinds of goods of Damascus, forty camel loads. When he came and stood before him, he said, ‘Your son Ben-hadad king of Syria has sent me to you, saying, ‘Shall I recover from this sickness?’’ And Elisha said to him, ‘Go, say to him, ‘You shall certainly recover,’ but the Lord has shown me that he shall certainly die.’ And he fixed his gaze and stared at him, until he was embarrassed. And the man of God wept. And Hazael said, ‘Why does my lord weep?’ He answered, ‘Because I know the evil that you will do to the people of Israel. You will set on fire their fortresses, and you will kill their young men with the sword and dash in pieces their little ones and rip open their pregnant women.’ And Hazael said, ‘What is your servant, who is but a dog, that he should do this great thing?’ Elisha answered, ‘The Lord has shown me that you are to be king over Syria.’ Then he departed from Elisha and came to his master, who said to him, ‘What did Elisha say to you?’ And he answered, ‘He told me that you would certainly recover.’ But the next day he took the bed cloth and dipped it in water and spread it over his face, till he died. And Hazael became king in his place.”

Elisha’s prophecy is deliberately ambiguous at first, pointing out that while Ben-Hadad could have recovered from his illness, he will ultimately die due to other circumstances. This enigmatic reply likely aimed to highlight that while God’s providence allows for healing, human actions and intentions also play a critical role in unfolding events. Elisha’s weeping upon foreseeing the atrocities Hazael will commit reflects the prophet’s deep empathy and anguish over future suffering, which demonstrates the compassionate nature of God’s servants.

Hazael’s initial expression of disbelief in his capability for such atrocious actions illustrates a human tendency to underestimate one’s capacity for evil, particularly when power is involved. However, upon becoming king, he executes the very evils Elisha predicted, representing a tragic prophecy fulfillment that underscores the corruptibility associated with power and ambition.

Jehoram and Ahaziah, Kings of Judah (Verses 16-29)

The concluding section of the chapter documents the reigns of Jehoram and Ahaziah, emphasizing the interconnectedness of Israelite and Judean history and highlighting the devastating consequences of alliances with ungodly rulers.

Verses 16-24:

“In the fifth year of Joram the son of Ahab, king of Israel, when Jehoshaphat was king of Judah, Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, began to reign. He was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for the daughter of Ahab was his wife. And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. Yet the Lord was not willing to destroy Judah, for the sake of David his servant, since he promised to give a lamp to him and to his sons forever.

In his days Edom revolted from the rule of Judah and set up a king of their own. Then Joram passed over to Zair with all his chariots and rose by night, and he and his chariot commanders struck the Edomites who had surrounded him, but his army fled home. So Edom revolted from the rule of Judah to this day. Then Libnah revolted at the same time. Now the rest of the acts of Joram, and all that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? So Joram slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David, and Ahaziah his son reigned in his place.”

Jehoram’s reign as king of Judah is marked by a significant moral and political decline, primarily due to his alignment with the house of Ahab through marriage. His conduct, mirroring the evil ways of Ahab, leads to divine disfavor. The political turmoil and revolts in Edom and Libnah are symptomatic of the instability brought about by his unrighteous rule. Despite Jehoram’s wickedness, God’s promise to David acts as a safeguard for Judah, preventing its ultimate destruction. This underscores the enduring faithfulness of God even when humanity falters.

Verses 25-29:

“In the twelfth year of Joram the son of Ahab, king of Israel, Ahaziah the son of Jehoram, king of Judah, began to reign. Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Athaliah; she was a granddaughter of Omri king of Israel. He also walked in the way of the house of Ahab and did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, as the house of Ahab had done, for he was son-in-law to the house of Ahab. He went with Joram the son of Ahab to make war against Hazael king of Syria at Ramoth-gilead, and the Syrians wounded Joram. And King Joram returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds that the Syrians had given him at Ramah, when he fought against Hazael king of Syria. And Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Joram the son of Ahab in Jezreel, because he was sick.”

Ahaziah’s brief reign continues the troubling legacy of unfaithfulness and alliance with the house of Ahab. His actions reflect the continued influence of Ahab’s house over Judah, primarily through his mother Athaliah, a significant figure rooted in Ahab’s lineage. The persistence of ungodly alliances results in Ahaziah’s participation in conflicts that culminate in his ultimate downfall, as prophesied earlier. This persistent deviation from God’s commands illustrates a cycle of disobedience that exacerbates national and political instability.

Conclusion

2 Kings Chapter 8 richly illustrates the profound interconnectedness of divine prophecy, human agency, and national destiny. Through the restoration of the Shunammite woman’s lands, the prophecy over Hazael, and the reigns of Jehoram and Ahaziah, the chapter underscores the themes of God’s justice and faithfulness amidst human fallibility. It reveals the consequences of choices, both righteous and unrighteous, on individual and collective destinies. Ultimately, the chapter poignantly demonstrates that God’s plans unfold in ways that reflect His justice, mercy, and unwavering covenant promises, even amid human rebellion and moral decline.

Understanding the Key Messages in 2 Kings 8: Insights and Explanation

King Ahaziah of Judah follows in the wicked footsteps of his father Ahab, seeking counsel from false gods and disregarding the Lord. He falls through a lattice and becomes injured, sending messengers to inquire of the god of Ekron for his recovery. However, the prophet Elijah intervenes, proclaiming judgment upon Ahaziah for his idolatry and pronouncing his impending death.

Notes

This chapter showcases the consequences of idolatry and the fulfillment of prophecies by the prophet Elijah.