Elisha sees a future evil king

II Kings Chapter 8

Elisha told the woman whose son he had brought back to life to move to another place because there would soon be a seven year famine in Israel and she moved to the Philistines for seven years. After the famine ended, she returned and went to see the king about getting her house and land returned to her. As she entered, the king was talking to Gehazi (Elisha's servant) about the miracles Elisha had performed and he told about bringing a boy back to life. Then he pointed out the woman whose son had been brought to life. The king was amazed and so he gave her back everything she lost including the value of any crops that had been harvested while she was gone.

Elisha went to Damascus, the capital of Aram, where King Ben-hadad lay sick. When the king heard Elisha was near, he ordered Hazael to take him a gift and ask if he (the king) would recover. So Hazael took forty camels with the finest products to Elisha. Elisha told him the king should be told he would recover, but really the king would die. Elisha stared at Hazael until he was uneasy, then Elisha started to weep.

When Hazael asked what was the matter, Elisha told him that he could see Hazael was going to do terrible things, including burning the fortified cities of Israel and killing the young men, dashing their children to the ground and riping open their pregnant women.

Hazael replied that he did not understand how a "nobody like me" could accomplish such a feat. Elisha replied that the Lord showed him that Hazael would be king of Aram.

Hazael went back and told the king he would recover. But the next day Hazael took a blanket, soaked it in water and held it over the king's face until he died. Then Hazael became king.

Meanwhile, Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat ruled for eight years, but he was as wicked as Ahab. In fact he married one of Ahab's daughters and she introduced the idol worship of Baal into Judah. But though Jehoram was evil, the Lord was not willing to destroy Judah because of the covenant he made with David that all his descendants would rule forever. During his reign, the Edomites revolted and became independent from Judah. After Jehoram died, Ahaziah became king. His mother was Athaliah, a granddaughter of king Omri of Israel. Ahaziah was also an evil king. He joined King Joram of Israel against king Hazael and Joram was wounded in battle.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: This story must have happened before the events in chapter 5 because the famine ended before Gehazi got leprosy. Notice that Hazael did not act surprised at Elisha's statement that he would be king or that he would do such reprehensible acts. His evil mind was probably already plotting things.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? Out of all the evil and killing, I'd like you to concentrate on the way Elisha showed care and concern about the widow whose child he had brought back to life. Elisha's life exemplifies the concern we should have for others today, in this world. Imagine yourself ministering to people around you, total strangers as well as family members and friends. People are starving for the word of God. Step up and share with them.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Update on Stella: I’m sorry to report that this tiny baby has finally passed and is in heaven with our Lord. She fought a long fight and endured much in her few months. Pray for her family.
Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents. especially her mother whose cancer has returned, and Arlene’s nephew David. Pray for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer. Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS. Pray for Cyndi Sullivan who was given 14 months to live with cancer, but has made it six years. The pain has returned and she needs our prayers.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has 90 percent of her speech back and is home , but continues to have a problem with one arm and hand. She will require long therapy and insurance may soon be a problem since her job was not held for her.
Pray for Robert Sargent with lung cancer and Marthaline Sargent with serious health issues. Update on Stella: She has shed the feeding tube and is taking formula on her own! But breathing problems are still with her, though improving all the time. She continues to have a long road, so prayers are still needed. She has been moved to a St. Louis hospital.
Pray for Carolyn’s friend Margaret and her husband who were in a car accident. As elderly drivers they may face a life change which may cost them their independence. Let’s all raise our voices to God to hear our prayers.
Pray for Brian and Ashley, as they lost the expected baby boy. It was so sad because she was 4 months and we had seen the sonogram of him moving and sucking his thumb.
Pray for the speedy recovery of Sandy in Minnesota who underwent successful brain surgery for a tumor recently.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.