The Kings Change II Kings 8

II Kings 8:13 "And 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."

Hazael was the the servant of king Benhadad of Syria. Benhadad was sick and sent to Elisha to find out if he would live. His prognosis was bad. Hazael would rule and Elisha prophecied that he would do a great slaughter in Israel. Elisha wept because of it.

In the start of the chapter though, the widow whose son was raised from the dead, was told by Elisha that there would be a 7 year famine and she should go someplace else for that time. She went to the land of the Philistines. Upon her return she asked the king for her land back. The King enquired of his servant about all the deeds of Elisha and while he told of the widow, she appeared before the king.

v6 "And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed unto her a certain officer, saying Restore all that was her's and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land, even until now."

That must have been quite a sum. Little did she know the blessings she would receive when she helped the prophet.

The son of Jehosphaphat began to reign in Judah during this chapter. I think he was co-ruler with his father. His name was Jehoram. He was married to the daughter of Ahab which would make him the brother-in-law to the king of Israel who was Joram.

v18 "And 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."

Joram had war with Edom and Libnah who had revolted. Jehoram died and his son Ahaziah took over. Joram was wounded in battle and the chapter ends with a visit from Ahaziah the king of Judah. If you read through the chapter the names of the two kings might run together. I hope I did not confuse them. The longest name with the 'h' in the middle was the king of Judah. He died and Ahaziah took his place. The other one is king of Israel. Verse 29 unravels it.

Psalm 3:3 "But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head."

Keywords: Bible Study, Old Testament, Israel, Judah, Elisha. Kings change in Judah and Israel.