2 Kings Chapter 8

The Shunammite's Land Restored

1Then spake Elisha unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for the LORD hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years. 2And the woman arose, and did after the saying of the man of God: and she went with her household, and sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven years. 3And it came to pass at the seven years' end, that the woman returned out of the land of the Philistines: and she went forth to cry unto the king for her house and for her land. 4And the king talked with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, Tell me, I pray thee, all the great things that Elisha hath done. 5And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life. 6And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed unto her a certain officer, saying, Restore all that was hers, and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land, even until now.

Hazael Murders Ben-Hadad

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. 8And the king said unto Hazael, Take a present in thine hand, and go, meet the man of God, and inquire of the LORD by him, saying, Shall I recover of this disease? 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? 10And Elisha said unto him, Go, say unto him, Thou mayest certainly recover: howbeit the LORD hath shewed me that he shall surely die. 11And he settled his countenance stedfastly, until he was ashamed: and the man of God wept. 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. 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. 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. 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.

Jehoram's Wicked Reign in Judah

(2 Chronicles 21:1-7)

16And in the fifth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel, Jehoshaphat being then king of Judah, Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah began to reign. 17Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. 18And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab: for the daughter of Ahab was his wife: and he did evil in the sight of the LORD. 19Yet the LORD would not destroy Judah for David his servant's sake, as he promised him to give him alway a light, and to his children.

Edom and Libnah Revolt

(2 Chronicles 21:8-11)

20In his days Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah, and made a king over themselves. 21So Joram went over to Zair, and all the chariots with him: and he rose by night, and smote the Edomites which compassed him about, and the captains of the chariots: and the people fled into their tents. 22Yet Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day. Then Libnah revolted at the same time. 23And 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?

24And Joram slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead.

Ahaziah Reigns Wickedly in Judah

(2 Chronicles 22:1-4)

25In the twelfth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel did Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah begin to reign. 26Two and twenty years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign; and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Athaliah, the daughter of Omri king of Israel. 27And he walked in the way of the house of Ahab, and did evil in the sight of the LORD, as did the house of Ahab: for he was the son in law of the house of Ahab.

28And he went with Joram the son of Ahab to the war against Hazael king of Syria in Ramothgilead; and the Syrians wounded Joram. 29And king Joram went back to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which 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.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

The Shunammite’s Land Restored

1 Now Elisha had spoken to the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, “Arise, and go, you and your household, and stay for a while wherever you can; for Yahweh has called for a famine. It shall also come on the land seven years.” 2 The woman arose, and did according to the word of the man of God. She went with her household, and lived in the land of the Philistines seven years. 3 It happened at the seven years’ end, that the woman returned out of the land of the Philistines. Then she went forth to cry to the king for her house and for her land. 4 Now the king was talking with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, “Please tell me all the great things that Elisha has done.” 5 It happened, as he was telling the king how he had restored to life him who was dead, that behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. Gehazi said, “My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life.” 6 When the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed to her a certain officer, saying, “Restore all that was hers, and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land, even until now.”

Hazael Murders Ben-hadad

7 Elisha came to Damascus; and Benhadad the king of Syria was sick. It was told him, saying, “The man of God has come here.” 8 The king said to Hazael, “Take a present in your hand, and go, meet the man of God, and inquire of Yahweh by him, saying, ‘Will I recover from this sickness?’” 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, “Your son Benhadad king of Syria has sent me to you, saying, ‘Will I recover from this sickness?’” 10 Elisha said to him, “Go, tell him, ‘You shall surely recover;’ however Yahweh has shown me that he shall surely die.” 11 He settled his gaze steadfastly on him, until he was ashamed. Then the man of God wept. 12 Hazael said, “Why do you weep, my lord?” He answered, “Because I know the evil that you will do to the children of Israel. You will set their strongholds on fire, and you will kill their young men with the sword, and will dash in pieces their little ones, and rip up their women with child.” 13 Hazael said, “But what is your servant, who is but a dog, that he should do this great thing?” Elisha answered, “Yahweh has shown me that you will be king over Syria.” 14 Then he departed from Elisha, and came to his master, who said to him, “What did Elisha say to you?” He answered, “He told me that you would surely recover.” 15 It happened on the next day, that he took a thick cloth, dipped it in water, and spread it on his face, so that he died. Then Hazael reigned in his place.

Jehoram Reigns in Judah
(2 Chronicles 21:1–7)

16 In the fifth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel, Jehoshaphat being king of Judah then, Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah began to reign. 17 He was thirty-two years old when he began to reign. He reigned eight years in Jerusalem. 18 He walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab; for he had the daughter of Ahab as wife. He did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh. 19 However Yahweh would not destroy Judah, for David his servant’s sake, as he promised him to give to him a lamp for his children always.

Edom and Libnah Rebel
(2 Chronicles 21:8–11)

20 In his days Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah, and made a king over themselves. 21 Then Joram passed over to Zair, and all his chariots with him: and he rose up by night, and struck the Edomites who surrounded him, and the captains of the chariots; and the people fled to their tents. 22 So Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah to this day. Then Libnah revolted at the same time. 23 The rest of the acts of Joram, and all that he did, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

24 Joram slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David; and Ahaziah his son reigned in his place.

Ahaziah Reigns in Judah
(2 Chronicles 22:1–7)

25 In the twelfth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel, Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah began to reign. 26 Twenty-two years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign; and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Athaliah the daughter of Omri king of Israel. 27 He walked in the way of the house of Ahab, and did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, as did the house of Ahab; for he was the son-in-law of the house of Ahab.

28 He went with Joram the son of Ahab to war against Hazael king of Syria at Ramoth Gilead: and the Syrians wounded Joram. 29 King Joram returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had given him at Ramah, when he fought against Hazael king of Syria. Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Joram the son of Ahab in Jezreel, because he was sick.

The Shunammite’s Land Restored

1 Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, “Arise, you and your household; go and live as a foreigner wherever you can. For the LORD has decreed a seven-year famine, and it has already come to the land.”

2 So the woman had proceeded to do as the man of God had instructed. And she and her household lived as foreigners for seven years in the land of the Philistines.

3 At the end of seven years, when the woman returned from the land of the Philistines, she went to the king to appeal for her house and her land.

4 Now the king had been speaking to Gehazi, the servant of the man of God, saying, “Please relate to me all the great things Elisha has done.”

5 And Gehazi was telling the king how Elisha had brought the dead back to life. Just then the woman whose son Elisha had revived came to appeal to the king for her house and her land. So Gehazi said, “My lord the king, this is the woman, and this is the son Elisha restored to life.”

6 When the king asked the woman, she confirmed it. So the king appointed for her an officer, saying, “Restore all that was hers, along with all the proceeds of the field from the day that she left the country until now.”

Hazael Murders Ben-hadad

7 Then Elisha came to Damascus while Ben-hadad king of Aram was sick, and the king was told, “The man of God has come here.”

8 So the king said to Hazael, “Take a gift in your hand, go to meet the man of God, and inquire of the LORD through him, ‘Will I recover from this illness?’ ”

9 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?’ ”

10 Elisha answered, “Go and tell him, ‘You will surely recover.’ But the LORD a has shown me that in fact he will die.”

11 Elisha fixed his gaze steadily on him until Hazael became uncomfortable. Then the man of God began to weep.

12 “Why is my lord weeping?” asked Hazael.

“Because I know the evil you will do to the Israelites,” Elisha replied. “You will set fire to their fortresses, kill their young men with the sword, dash their little ones to pieces, and rip open their pregnant women.”

13 “But how could your servant, a mere dog, do such a monstrous thing?” said Hazael.

And Elisha answered, “The LORD has shown me that you will be king over Aram.”

14 So Hazael left Elisha and went to his master, who asked him, “What did Elisha say to you?”

And he replied, “He told me that you would surely recover.” 15 But the next day Hazael took a thick cloth, dipped it in water, and spread it over the king’s face.

So Ben-hadad died, and Hazael reigned in his place.

Jehoram Reigns in Judah
(2 Chronicles 21:1–7)

16 In the fifth year of the reign of Joram son of Ahab over Israel, Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat succeeded his father as king of Judah. 17 Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years.

18 And Jehoram walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, just as the house of Ahab had done. For he married a daughter of Ahab and did evil in the sight of the LORD.

19 Yet for the sake of His servant David, the LORD was unwilling to destroy Judah, since He had promised to maintain a lamp for David and his descendants forever.

Edom and Libnah Rebel
(2 Chronicles 21:8–11)

20 In the days of Jehoram, b Edom rebelled against the hand of Judah and appointed their own king. 21 So Jehoram c crossed over to Zair with all his chariots. When the Edomites surrounded him and his chariot commanders, he rose up and attacked by night. His troops, however, fled to their homes.

22 So to this day Edom has been in rebellion against the hand of Judah. Likewise, Libnah rebelled at the same time.

23 As for the rest of the acts of Jehoram, along with all his accomplishments, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?

24 And Jehoram rested with his fathers and was buried with them in the City of David. And his son Ahaziah reigned in his place.

Ahaziah Reigns in Judah
(2 Chronicles 22:1–7)

25 In the twelfth year of the reign of Joram son of Ahab over Israel, Ahaziah son of Jehoram became king of Judah. 26 Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem one year. His mother’s name was Athaliah, the granddaughter of Omri king of Israel.

27 And Ahaziah walked in the ways of the house of Ahab and did evil in the sight of the LORD like the house of Ahab, for he was a son-in-law of the house of Ahab.

28 Then Ahaziah went with Joram son of Ahab to fight against Hazael king of Aram at Ramoth-gilead, and the Arameans wounded Joram. 29 So King Joram returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds that the Arameans had inflicted on him at Ramah d when he fought against Hazael king of Aram. Then Ahaziah son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to Jezreel to visit Joram son of Ahab, because Joram had been wounded.

Footnotes:

10 a Or ‘You will surely not recover.’ And the LORD
20 b Literally In his days
21 c Hebrew Joram , a variant of Jehoram  (the son of Jehoshaphat), as in verse 16; also in verses 23, and 24
29 d Ramah  is a variant of Ramoth ; see verse 28.

The Shunammite's Land Restored

1And Elisha spake unto the woman whose son he had revived, saying, 'Rise and go, thou and thy household, and sojourn where thou dost sojourn, for Jehovah hath called for a famine, and also, it is coming unto the land seven years.' 2And the woman riseth, and doth according to the word of the man of God, and goeth, she and her household, and sojourneth in the land of the Philistines seven years. 3And it cometh to pass, at the end of seven years, that the woman turneth back from the land of the Philistines, and goeth out to cry unto the king, for her house, and for her field. 4And the king is speaking unto Gehazi, servant of the man of God, saying, 'Recount, I pray thee, to me, the whole of the great things that Elisha hath done.' 5And it cometh to pass, he is recounting to the king how he had revived the dead, and lo, the woman whose son he had revived is crying unto the king, for her house and for her field, and Gehazi saith, 'My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this her son, whom Elisha revived.' 6And the king asketh at the woman, and she recounteth to him, and the king appointeth to her a certain eunuch, saying, 'Give back all that she hath, and all the increase of the field from the day of her leaving the land even till now.'

Hazael Murders Ben-Hadad

7And Elisha cometh in to Damascus, and Ben-Hadad king of Aram is sick, and it is declared to him, saying, 'The man of God hath come hither.' 8And the king saith unto Hazael, 'Take in thy hand a present, and go to meet the man of God, and thou hast sought Jehovah by him, saying, Do I revive from this sickness?' 9And Hazael goeth to meet him, and taketh a present in his hand, even of every good thing of Damascus, a burden of forty camels, and he cometh in and standeth before him, and saith, 'Thy son Ben-Hadad, king of Aram, hath sent me unto thee, saying, Do I revive from this sickness?' 10And Elisha saith unto him, 'Go, say, Thou dost certainly not revive, seeing Jehovah hath shewed me that he doth surely die.' 11And he setteth his face, yea, he setteth it till he is ashamed, and the man of God weepeth. 12And Hazael saith, 'Wherefore is my lord weeping?' and he saith, 'Because I have known the evil that thou dost to the sons of Israel -- their fenced places thou dost send into fire, and their young men with sword thou dost slay, and their sucklings thou dost dash to pieces, and their pregnant women thou dost rip up.' 13And Hazael saith, 'But what, is thy servant the dog, that he doth this great thing?' And Elisha saith, 'Jehovah hath shewed me thee -- king of Aram.' 14And he goeth from Elisha, and cometh in unto his lord, and he saith unto him, 'What said Elisha to thee?' and he saith, 'He said to me, Thou dost certainly recover.' 15And it cometh to pass on the morrow, that he taketh the coarse cloth, and dippeth in water, and spreadeth on his face, and he dieth, and Hazael reigneth in his stead.

Jehoram's Wicked Reign in Judah

(2 Chronicles 21:1-7)

16And in the fifth year of Joram son of Ahab king of Israel -- and Jehoshaphat is king of Judah -- hath Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah reigned; 17a son of thirty and two years was he in his reigning, and eight years he hath reigned in Jerusalem. 18And he walketh in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab, for a daughter of Ahab was to him for a wife, and he doth the evil thing in the eyes of Jehovah, 19and Jehovah was not willing to destroy Judah, for the sake of David his servant, as He said to him, to give to him a lamp -- to his sons all the days.

Edom and Libnah Revolt

(2 Chronicles 21:8-11)

20In his days hath Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah, and they cause a king to reign over them, 21and Joram passeth over to Zair, and all the chariots with him, and he himself hath risen by night, and smiteth Edom, that is coming round about unto him, and the heads of the chariots, and the people fleeth to its tents; 22and Edom revolteth from under the hand of Judah till this day; then doth Libnah revolt at that time. 23And the rest of the matters of Joram, and all that he did, are they not written on the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Judah?

24And Joram lieth with his fathers, and is buried with his fathers in the city of David, and reign doth Ahaziah his son in his stead.

Ahaziah Reigns Wickedly in Judah

(2 Chronicles 22:1-4)

25In the twelfth year of Joram son of Ahab king of Israel reigned hath Ahaziah son of Jehoram king of Judah; 26a son of twenty and two years is Ahaziah in his reigning, and one year he hath reigned in Jerusalem, and the name of his mother is Athaliah daughter of Omri king of Israel, 27and he walketh in the way of the house of Ahab, and doth the evil thing in the eyes of Jehovah, like the house of Ahab, for he is son-in-law of the house of Ahab.

28And he goeth with Joram son of Ahab to battle with Hazael king of Aram in Ramoth-Gilead, and the Aramaeans smite Joram, 29and Joram the king turneth back to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds with which the Arameans smite him in Ramah, in his fighting with Hazael king of Aram, and Ahaziah son of Jehoram king of Judah hath gone down to see Joram son of Ahab in Jezreel, for he is sick.

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of 2 Kings 8?

1.1Introduction to 2 Kings 8

1.2Context of 2 Kings 8

1.3Ancient Key Word Study

1.4Compare & Contrast

1.52 Kings 8 Unique Insights

1.62 Kings 8 Connections to Yeshua

1.72 Kings 8 Scriptural Echoes

1.82 Kings 8 Devotional

1.9Did You Know

What is the meaning of 2 Kings 8?

Introduction to 2 Kings 8

2 Kings 8 presents a fascinating tapestry of divine providence and human drama, weaving together multiple narratives that showcase God’s sovereign hand working through both miraculous provision and political intrigue. The chapter opens with the conclusion of Elisha’s ministry to the Shunammite woman, demonstrating God’s faithful care for His people, before transitioning to events that would reshape the political landscape of both Israel and Judah. This pivotal chapter serves as a bridge between the miraculous ministry of Elisha and the unfolding judgment upon the houses of Ahab and Jezebel.

Context of 2 Kings 8

This chapter sits at a crucial juncture in Israel’s divided kingdom period, occurring during a time of significant political upheaval and spiritual decay. The events described here connect directly to the previous narratives of Elisha’s ministry while setting the stage for the dramatic changes that would soon come to both the northern and southern kingdoms. The chapter’s placement is strategic, showing how God’s prophetic words continue to unfold through both supernatural and natural means.

The larger context reveals God’s continued faithfulness to His covenant promises, even as the nations of Israel and Judah move further from Him. The chapter’s events directly connect to prophecies given earlier about the house of Ahab and foreshadow the coming judgment on both kingdoms. This narrative fits within the broader biblical theme of God’s sovereignty over nations and His preservation of the Davidic line despite human rebellion and political machinations.

Ancient Key Word Study

רָעָב (raʿav) – “famine” (v.1) – This Hebrew word appears frequently in Scripture, carrying both physical and spiritual implications. Beyond mere hunger, it often signifies divine judgment or testing, as seen in its seven-year duration matching the perfect number seven.
חָיָה (chayah) – “restore to life” (v.1,5) – Used in reference to the Shunammite’s son, this word carries deeper meaning than mere existence, suggesting divine life-giving power and resurrection themes.
גֵּחֲזִי (Gehazi) – Though appearing briefly, his name means “valley of vision,” ironically appearing here as a witness to God’s power despite his earlier judgment with leprosy.
חֲזָאֵל (Hazael) – Meaning “God has seen,” this name carries prophetic significance as God’s instrument of judgment, though not himself a believer.
בֶּן־הֲדַד (Ben-hadad) – “son of Hadad,” representing Aramean power and false deity worship, contrasting with the true God of Israel.
מַשָּׂא (massa) – “burden/oracle” (v.9) – A word often used for prophetic utterances, here carrying both literal and spiritual weight in Hazael’s interaction with Elisha.
בָּכָה (bakah) – “weep” (v.11) – Elisha’s weeping reveals prophetic insight into future suffering, demonstrating both divine foreknowledge and human compassion.
מָלַךְ (malak) – “became king” – Used multiple times in the chapter, emphasizing divine sovereignty over human political power.

Compare & Contrast

Verse 1’s seven-year famine parallels other significant seven-year periods in Scripture (Genesis 41:29-30). The use of שֶׁבַע (sheva) here isn’t coincidental but connects to the biblical concept of completion and divine timing.
The description of Hazael’s actions in verse 15 uses the specific term מַכְבֵּר (makber) for “thick cloth,” rather than more common fabric terms, suggesting premeditated murder rather than accidental suffocation.
The account of Jehoram of Judah in verse 18 specifically uses the phrase “כַּאֲשֶׁר עָשׂוּ בֵּית אַחְאָב” (“as did the house of Ahab”) rather than a general reference to evil, emphasizing the specific nature of his apostasy.
Verse 19’s reference to God’s promise to David uses the term נִיר (nir) “lamp” rather than other terms for light, connecting to the Messianic promise of 2 Samuel 21:17.
The detailed genealogical information in verses 25-27 uses specific familial terms to emphasize the intermarriage between the houses of Ahab and David, showing how corruption spread between the kingdoms.

2 Kings 8 Unique Insights

The chapter contains several layers of prophetic and theological significance that might not be immediately apparent to modern readers. The seven-year famine mentioned at the beginning mirrors the seven years of plenty and famine in Egypt during Joseph’s time, suggesting a divine pattern of testing and provision. The rabbinical tradition notes that this famine was one of ten significant famines in biblical history, each serving a specific purpose in God’s redemptive plan.

Can a Bible Come to Life over a Coffee?

This biblical entry has a unique origin story. Find out how it came to be—and why your visit today is about so much more than words. Get your coffee ready—God’s about to visit. But will you open the door for Him?

I’m ready

The interaction between Elisha and Hazael carries profound theological weight. The Targum adds interesting details about this encounter, suggesting that Elisha saw through divine revelation not only Hazael’s future actions but also the long-term implications for God’s people. This foresight explains Elisha’s weeping, as he witnessed the unfolding of divine judgment through human agency.

The preservation of the Davidic line despite Jehoram’s wickedness demonstrates God’s faithfulness to His covenant promises. Early Jewish commentators saw this as a crucial moment in maintaining the Messianic line, despite human attempts to corrupt it through intermarriage with Ahab’s house. The specific mention of the “lamp” (נִיר) in verse 19 connects to ancient Near Eastern royal ideology while pointing to the ultimate “Light of the World.”

2 Kings 8 Connections to Yeshua

The chapter’s themes of preservation amid judgment powerfully foreshadow the Messiah’s role. The Shunammite woman’s restoration of property parallels how Yeshua will restore His people’s inheritance in the coming Kingdom. The contrast between righteous and wicked leadership points to Yeshua as the perfect King from David’s line.

The prophetic ministry of Elisha, particularly his weeping over future suffering, prefigures Yeshua’s laments over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44). The preservation of David’s line despite corruption demonstrates God’s faithfulness in maintaining the Messianic lineage through which Yeshua would come.

2 Kings 8 Scriptural Echoes

This chapter resonates with numerous biblical passages and themes. The seven-year famine echoes the earlier famine in Genesis, while the preservation of the Davidic line despite wickedness connects to promises in Psalm 89 and Isaiah 11. The theme of divine sovereignty over nations appears throughout the prophetic books, particularly in Daniel and Isaiah.

The role of Hazael as an instrument of divine judgment parallels how God later used Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus. The Shunammite woman’s story connects back to earlier miraculous provisions in Scripture, from the widow of Zarephath to God’s care for Israel in the wilderness. The corruption of the Davidic line through marriage alliances echoes warnings from Deuteronomy 17:17.

2 Kings 8 Devotional

This chapter challenges us to trust God’s sovereign timing and provision, even in seasons of famine or difficulty. The Shunammite woman’s story encourages us to obey divine guidance even when it seems inconvenient or unclear. Her restoration reminds us that God’s timing is perfect and His care extends to every detail of our lives.

The contrast between godly and ungodly leadership prompts us to examine our own influences and alliances. Are we, like Jehoram, allowing worldly connections to compromise our walk with God? Or are we, like Elisha, maintaining spiritual integrity even when surrounded by corruption?

Did You Know

The seven-year famine mentioned here was the same length as the one in Egypt during Joseph’s time, suggesting a divine pattern in God’s dealings with His people.
The Shunammite woman’s exile and return parallels Israel’s later exile and restoration, serving as a prophetic picture on a small scale.
Hazael’s name appears in external historical sources, including the Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III, confirming the biblical account.
The thick cloth (מַכְבֵּר) used to kill Ben-hadad was likely a valuable Damascus textile, adding irony to the murder.
The intermarriage between the houses of David and Ahab was unprecedented in its scope and its devastating spiritual consequences.
Archaeological evidence from this period shows significant prosperity in Damascus, matching the biblical description of Aramean power.
The “lamp” promised to David used terminology common in ancient Near Eastern royal ideology, where a burning lamp symbolized dynastic continuity.
Jewish tradition holds that Elisha’s weeping lasted an unusually long time, indicating the severity of what he foresaw.
The restoration of the Shunammite’s property required multiple witnesses, following ancient Near Eastern legal customs.

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Bible Themes

Jean Paul Joseph

After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. What is the F.O.G?

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