So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels’ burden, and came and stood before him, and said, Thy son Benhadad king of Syria hath sent me to thee, saying, Shall I recover of this disease?
So Hazael went to meet him, bringing gifts with him - the best things from Damascus, so much that it took forty camels to carry it all. He came and stood before Elisha and said, 'Your son Ben-hadad, king of Syria, has sent me to you, asking: Will I get better from this sickness?'
Hazael brings expensive gifts from the Syrian king Ben-hadad to the prophet Elisha, asking if the king will recover from his illness.
📚 Historical Context
In the 9th century BC, during the divided kingdom period of Israel and Judah, King Benhadad of Syria was facing illness amid ongoing conflicts with Israel, making him seek divine guidance from the prophet Elisha. Elisha, as God's spokesperson, was interacting with foreign leaders to demonstrate the Lord's authority over nations. This verse depicts Hazael, a trusted official, traveling with extravagant gifts to inquire about the king's recovery, highlighting the desperation of pagan rulers for prophetic insight.
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