In ancient times, famines occurred frequently due to the persistent pursuit of evil by the people. While these periodic famines briefly softened their hearts, they resumed their previous ways after surviving due to God’s grace. In one such famine, Elisha was aware of God’s plan to send famine and warned the Shunammite woman (the one who had been blessed with a son), to leave her possessions and take her family to the land of the Philistines until the famine abated. Upon her return seven years later, she discovered that a neighbour had seized her land. During a famine, sustenance becomes invaluable, and any unoccupied land would naturally be highly coveted.
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.” 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 appeal to the king for her house and land.
2 Kings 8:4-5 (NIV)
Gehazi said, “This is the woman, my lord the king, and this is her son whom Elisha restored to life.
Seems weird that a king who hated Elisha with all his being was so open to hearing about the wondrous works that God had done through him. It’s possible that the king’s inquiry about Elisha’s exploits stems from a genuine curiosity and newfound admiration. Perhaps, over time, the king’s feelings toward Elisha have transformed, leading him to seek knowledge about the miraculous deeds of his former adversary. It’s not out of the realm of possibility to consider that covetous Gehazi seeks to inform the king about his master’s wondrous works, with an expectation of reward. Moreover, it’s worth noting that this incident likely occurred before Gehazi’s encounter with Naaman and his affliction with leprosy, as he would not have been permitted to be in the king’s presence afterwards.
Even during Elisha and Gehazi’s stay at the woman’s house, it was clear that she was satisfied with her possessions. When Elisha inquired if he could assist her in any way, she responded that she had everything she required. This might suggest that she possessed a significant amount of property, which she now desired to reclaim. God guided the woman at precisely the right time for her case to be presented most convincingly before the king. If God meant to reveal His glory before the courts, then surely, it would have occurred in a miraculous manner. Another possibility is that Elisha orchestrated it by sending Gehazi ahead to inform the king of the woman’s story and prepare his heart to act generously and grant her request. However, given Gehazi’s nature, the latter explanation seems less probable.
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.”
2 Kings 8:6 (NIV)
Elisha in the Land of the Arameans
Elisha happened to be in Damascus at the same time as when the king of Aram fell ill. Upon learning of the presence of the man of God in his kingdom, the king dispatched his trusted aide, Hazael, with valuable gifts to inquire about Elisha’s well-being. Hazael dutifully carried out the king’s instructions, arriving in the company of forty camel loads of exquisite goods. While officially on a mission for his king, Hazael’s true motivations may have been driven by self-interest.
When Hazael encountered Elisha, he inquired about his master’s recuperation from illness. Elisha assured him that his master would recover, but as he spoke, tears welled up in his eyes. He confided in Hazael that God had revealed to him the darkness within his heart and foretold that Hazael would rule the kingdom of Aram with an iron fist, causing the shedding of innocent blood. Hazael protested, claiming he was merely a servant unable to contemplate perpetrating the atrocious deed prophesied by Elisha. However, Elisha maintained that God had shown him that Hazael would commit these acts upon ascending to the throne of Aram.
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.” 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.
2 Kings 8:14-15 (NIV)
Evil resides within us, often masked by excuses stemming from external circumstances. Hazael harbored the desire to overthrow Ben-Hadad in his heart, while outwardly feigning loyalty to his king and visiting Elisha. However, one cannot conceal their true intentions from God, as all desires are revealed before Him. When Hazael stood before Elisha, his malevolent motives were exposed, and he attempted to conceal his true feelings, doubting that Elisha could discern his heart.
Seeking information about his master’s prognosis, Hazael sought to strategize for the future. Upon learning that his master would recover, he took matters into his own hands, deciding to kill Ben-Hadad to expedite his plans. While some attribute his murderous actions to prophecy, it is important to note that prophecies do not coerce us into committing evil; rather, it is our own malevolent inclinations that mould our decisions and lead us down the path of betraying God. Just as in the case of Judas, it is our sinful lifestyles that shape our choices, not the prophecies themselves.
Meanwhile in Judah
Over in the southern kingdom, there was a change in guard as Jehoram replaced his father Jehoshaphat on the throne of Judah. Not only was he in alliance through marriage with the family of Ahab, but he even followed their wicked ways. He did evil in the eyes of the LORD and his reign in Jerusalem lasted only eight years. His reign was marred by conflicts with the people of Edom and Libnah as they revolted against him.
After Jehoram rested with his ancestors, his son Ahaziah succeeded him as king. Ahaziah was a young man when he became the king and his immaturity could be seen in his alliance with Joram, the king of Israel. It was this alliance that cost him his life as he was caught in the crossfire of God’s wrath on the house of Ahab.
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.
2 Kings 8:19 (NIV)
On the surface, it may appear unjust that the lineage of the corrupt kings of Judah was preserved while the families of the wicked kings of the northern kingdom were completely eradicated. However, God is just and His plans are beyond human understanding. It is often tempting to hold God responsible for our current circumstances, but He looks at things in the future that we cannot fathom, carefully orchestrating plans for our lives.
Although the lineage of David did not endure on the throne for long, the plan for the Messiah to come from his family remained unchanged. David was not favoured due to his own acts of righteousness, but rather God utilized him as a channel to redeem his people, and later, his lineage to redeem the entire world. Similarly, the bestowal of His Spirit upon us is not due to our virtuous deeds, but because we are considered conduits to manifest His love to the nations, hence being entrusted with the Lamp to illuminate the world.
Discussion Questions
- Why is the king asking Gehazi about Elisha’s exploit, a man he detests?
- How can Elisha help the king of Aram, the enemy of his countrymen?
- If Hazel wanted to overthrow the king of Aram, then why would he go to Elisha to inquire about his health?
- Why is God sparing the kings of Judah but extending the same grace to the kings of the northern kingdom?
The Jordan Valley 
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