And Elisha came to Damascus; and Benhadad the king of Syria was sick; and it was told him, saying, The man of God is come hither.
Read it in contextHazael Murders Ben-hadad
Start reading at 2 Kings 8:7 (2 Kings 8:7 to 2 Kings 8:15).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The transition between prophets and Elisha's acts carry forward the prophetic witness within the kingdoms.
8:7And Elisha came to Damascus; and Benhadad the king of Syria was sick; and it was told him, saying, The man of God is come hither.
8:8And the king said unto Hazael, Take a present in thine hand, and go, meet the man of God, and enquire of the LORD by him, saying, Shall I recover of this disease?
8:9So 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?
8:10And Elisha said unto him, Go, say unto him, Thou mayest certainly recover: howbeit the LORD hath shewed me that he shall surely die.
8:11And he settled his countenance stedfastly, until he was ashamed: and the man of God wept.
8:12And Hazael said, Why weepeth my lord? And he answered, Because I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Israel: their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash their children, and rip up their women with child.
8:13And Hazael said, But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing? And Elisha answered, The LORD hath shewed me that thou shalt be king over Syria.
8:14So he departed from Elisha, and came to his master; who said to him, What said Elisha to thee? And he answered, He told me that thou shouldest surely recover.
8:15And it came to pass on the morrow, that he took a thick cloth, and dipped it in water, and spread it on his face, so that he died: and Hazael reigned in his stead.
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Who
Who wrote the book? Jeremiah is the traditional Jewish attribution to Kings. The completed work incorporates records of Israel and Judah and events during exile; its final compiler is uncertain. Biblical references: 2 Kings 15:11; 2 Kings 25:27. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (2 Kings 8:1–8:29): The Shunammite woman appears before the king, and Elisha meets Hazael concerning Benhadad. The concluding royal notices concern Judah's rulers and households. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? The Israelite and Judean community in and after the exile, reflecting on why both kingdoms fell and what remained of the Davidic line. Biblical references: 2 Kings 17:7; 2 Kings 23:27; 2 Kings 25:27. book background
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? Hazael Murders Ben-hadad. Read 2 Kings 8:7 through 2 Kings 8:15 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? The transition between prophets and Elisha's acts carry forward the prophetic witness within the kingdoms. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The book continues the divided-kingdom histories through Assyria's conquest of Israel and Babylon's conquest of Judah, ending with a notice concerning Jehoiachin. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? The narrative ranges through Israel and Judah, including Samaria and Jerusalem, and ends with exile in Babylon. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Hazael Murders Ben-hadad (2 Kings 8:7 to 2 Kings 8:15).
Start reading at 2 Kings 8:7. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Jesus cites the cleansing of Naaman in His discourse at Nazareth. This supplies a specific connection to the book's prophetic narratives and challenges assumptions about privilege. See 2 Kings 5:14, Luke 4:27. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Hear warnings before repeated refusal hardens into habit. Reform, repentance, and faithfulness should be assessed from the narrated response to God's word, not merely a ruler's reputation. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of 2 Kings 8
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Second Kings continues the histories of Israel and Judah through conquest and exile. Its account connects the kingdoms' destruction with persistent covenant unfaithfulness, while ending with a limited sign of favor toward Jehoiachin. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The transition between prophets and Elisha's acts carry forward the prophetic witness within the kingdoms.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The accounts of the kings culminate in Assyria's conquest of Israel and an extended explanation of the disaster.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of 2 Kings
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Second Kings continues the histories of Israel and Judah through conquest and exile. Its account connects the kingdoms' destruction with persistent covenant unfaithfulness, while ending with a limited sign of favor toward Jehoiachin.
Connection to the wholeBabylon's conquest ends the kingdom's rule in Jerusalem; the closing notice concerning Jehoiachin leaves the reader beyond the destruction itself.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.