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 replied, 'But how could I, your servant, do such a terrible thing? Am I like a dog?' Elisha answered, 'The LORD has shown me that you will become king of Syria.'
Hazael is shocked at the prediction of his future cruelty, but Elisha confirms that God has revealed Hazael will become Syria's king.
📚 Historical Context
In the historical context of 2 Kings, Elisha the prophet is in Damascus, the capital of Syria, during a period of frequent conflicts between the kingdoms of Israel and Syria in the 9th century BC. Hazael, a high official serving the king of Syria, is confronted by Elisha with a prophecy about his future rise to power, which includes committing atrocities against Israel. This event reflects the broader biblical narrative of God's use of prophets to reveal His sovereignty over nations and leaders during the divided monarchy of Israel.
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