Hazael was an officer of Ben-hadad, the
king of Syria or Damascus. His name was already mentioned during the time of
Elijah. Form 1 Kings 19:15 we learn that he was one of the three people God
told Elijah to anoint. Jehu was anointed as king of Israel, Hazael as king of
Syria, and Elisha anointed to succeed Elijah. Although Hazael was identified to
be king of Syria, it took some time for that to materialize. In this passage of
2 Kings 8:7-15, we are shown that his moment to take the throne had come. Here
we are given the circumstances that led to him taking over the reign of Syria
from Ben-hadad.
In
this passage, we find Elisha in Damascus. No specific reason was given for his
presence there. We are told that Ben-hadad who had ruled Damascus for a while
now had fallen ill. Having ruled the nation for 40 years, he was now an old
man. Still, he wanted to know if he would recover from his illness. When he
learned that Elisha was in town, he sent Hazael to inquire of the prophet if he
would get well. Elisha's ministry had made an impact and it would not be a
surprise that Ben-hadad would know about his effectiveness.
At
the order of the king, Hazael went to inquire of Elisha. But we are
told in verse 9 that he came with loads of gifts as if to bribe the prophet. Of
course, we know that Elisha could not be bought. He probably saw the intention
of the murderous intention of Hazael. Although the king would recover, Elisha
knew the latter’s plan to kill Ben-hadad. The prophet could see how cruelly he
would deal with the people of Israel. That account for why he wept. When asked
the reason for his weeping, he then revealed Hazael’s impending wickedness.
Elisha told him that he knew the evil that he would do to the sons of Israel.
He would set fire to their strongholds, would kill their young men with the
sword, their little ones he would dash into pieces, and their pregnant women he
would rip up.
While
he told him that Ben-hadad would live, he also could see Hazael’s intention to
kill the king. Though he tried to hide it with false modesty, he could not
conceal his real motive before the Lord. Without saying much, Elisha told him
that God had shown him that he would be king over Syria. When he returned to
Benhadad, he told the king only the pleasant part that Elisha had said, without
giving him the whole message. He told the king he would recover. Then the next
day, he carried out his plot, took a wet towel, smothered the king to death,
and became king in his place.
What
happened authenticated Elisha’s ministry and affirmed that he had indeed
succeeded his mentor, Elijah. But more importantly, it shows us that the
Sovereign God is in control not only of Israel but also of the
nations. What’s more important is that man’s evil ambitions and intentions are
never hidden from the Lord. Just as God saw through Hazael’s wicked intention,
He can see through ours too. Nothing is hidden from the eyes of our all-seeing
God. No one can hide any intention from Him. This is what Hebrews 4:12-13 say
with certainty. “For the word of God is living and active and
sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division
of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge
the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature
hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes
of Him with whom we have to do.” God knows our every thought. Let us live
truthfully and with integrity. Live in the light of God’s revelation, and not
in one’s own selfish ambition.
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