Loading…

The Abiding Gift of Prophecy

92/326

Elijah’s Charge Fulfilled by Elisha

In addition to all this very pleasant, helpful service, there was given to Elisha a serious and painful duty. It appears that the instruction given Elijah to anoint Hazael to be king over Syria, and “Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi” to be king over Israel, had been passed on to Elisha to be carried out. AGP 114.2

The career of Hazael, as recorded in the Scriptures, begins in 2 Kings 8:7. Hazael was sent to Elisha by Ben-hadad, king of Syria, who was seriously ill, to inquire of the prophet whether he would recover from his sickness. When Elisha met Hazael, the prophet wept because of the evil he knew that Hazael would do unto the children of Israel. (See 2 Kings 8:7-13.) By cruel conspiracy, Hazael murdered his king, Ben-hadad, on his sick-bed, and usurped the throne of Syria. He then entered upon a relentless and destructive warfare against the kingdom of Israel. “In those days the Lord began to cut Israel short: and Hazael smote them in all the coasts of Israel.” 2 Kings 10:32. Of this, due warning had been given kings and people, and the way of escape through repentance and reformation had been made plain. But they rejected the messages sent to them. AGP 114.3

The record of the punishment inflicted upon the house of Ahab and the prophets of Baal by Jehu is given in 2 Kings 9 and 10. Jehu was anointed to be king by one of the sons of the prophets, sent by Elisha. He then began the execution of the sentence of Jehovah upon the house of Ahab. He slew the king of Israel, and usurped the throne. He then hastened to Jezreel, where the heathen consort of Ahab lived. At the command of Jehu, Jezebel was thrown from an upper window, and shortly afterward it was reported that the prediction by Elijah had been literally fulfilled: “In the portion of Jezreel shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel: and the carcass of Jezebel shall be as dung upon AGP 114.4

the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel; so that they shall not say, This is Jezebel.” 2 Kings 9:30-37. AGP 115.1

The account of the execution of Jezebel makes sad, hard reading; but it reflects in some degree the great evil Ahab and Jezebel had brought upon the nation of Israel. No warning from God, no judgment He could inflict, could change their purpose to turn Israel away from Jehovah to Baal. AGP 115.2

Besides carrying into effect this terrible sentence against Jezebel, “Jehu slew all that remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men, and his kinsfolks, and his priests, until he left him none remaining.” 2 Kings 10:11. AGP 115.3

He also cut off all the priests and prophets of Baal. “And they brought forth the images out of the house of Baal, and burned them. And they brake down the image of Baal, and brake down the house of Baal, and made it a draughthouse unto this day. Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel.” Verses 26-28. AGP 115.4