READ: 2 Kin. 8:1–29: … famine … after seven years … let her receive back all that was hers … why is my lord weeping … evil … Jehoram … the LORD was not willing to destroy Judah for the sake of His servant David … to give him a lamp all his days for his sons … Ahaziah … went with Joram the son of Ahab to battle …
Again judgment comes over Israel because of the impenitence of king and people, this time in the form of a severe famine lasting seven years. The Shunammite woman, who has shown her faith, is brought to safety with her family. God now cares for her; He helps in distress. This receives full attention in the text, for this family is an exception.
According to the divine instruction given earlier to Elijah (1 Kin. 19:15–17), Elisha must anoint Hazael as king over Syria. For that purpose Elisha goes to Damascus. The sick king Ben-Hadad hears about his arrival and sends Hazael to Elisha to inquire about a possible recovery from his illness.
Ben-Hadad calls Elisha “the man of God,” which implies a certain recognition that the LORD is truly God. They also know of Naaman’s healing. And so Hazael arrives with an enormous gift. What Elisha answers means probably: you may say that he will recover, but in fact he will surely die.
Elisha can no longer restrain himself when he realizes that Hazael will become king and will commit evil acts against Israel. His weeping is because of the deserved judgment of God upon His people through the cruel Hazael. This judgment comes because of Israel’s covenant unfaithfulness. The book of Lamentations by the prophet Jeremiah expresses the same sorrow when Jerusalem is destroyed.
Hazael returns, murders Ben-Hadad, and becomes king. In both Judah and Israel there are now kings who act wickedly: Jehoram over Judah and Joram over Israel. Both experience defeats from their enemies as God’s punishment. Yet the LORD does not destroy Judah, for the sake of His servant David, but preserves a “lamp” for his sons.
Is there in our time reason to weep as Elisha and Jeremiah did?
Singing: Ps. 12:1,5