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F. Elisha Telling
of a Seven-year Famine Ordered by God

Elisha told the woman whose son he had restored to life to go with her household and dwell wherever she could, because a seven-year famine ordered by God was to come. She did according to Elisha's word. After she returned, she regained her inheritance through the king by the help of Elisha (8:1-6).

G. Elisha's Friendly Contact
with Ben-hadad King of Syria

Verses 7 through 15 describe Elisha's friendly contact with Ben-hadad king of Syria.

1. Elisha Coming to Damascus
when Ben-hadad Was Sick

Elisha came to Damascus when Ben-hadad was sick, and Ben-hadad was informed of this (v. 7).

2. Ben-hadad Sending His Servant Hazael
to See Elisha with a Great Gift

Ben-hadad sent his servant Hazael to see Elisha with a great gift of forty camel loads of all the good things of Damascus, to ask Elisha whether Ben-hadad would recover from his sickness (vv. 8-9).

3. Elisha Answering That Ben-hadad
Would Recover from His Sickness

Elisha answered that Ben-hadad would recover from his sickness but would certainly die. Then Elisha prophesied to Hazael that he would be king over Syria. Elisha felt ashamed and wept because Hazael would do evil to the children of Israel, setting their strongholds on fire, slaying their choice young men, dashing their little ones to pieces, and ripping open their pregnant women (vv. 10-13).

4. Hazael Coming Back to Tell His Master
What Elisha Said to Him

Hazael came back to tell his master Ben-hadad what Elisha said to him. On the next day Hazael murdered Ben-hadad and usurped the throne (vv. 14-15).


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Life-Study of 1 & 2 Kings   pg 67