2 Kings 8:1-15 - Joram Restores The Shunammite's Land

¹ Elisha told the woman who lived in Shunem, whose son he brought back to life: Jehovah is sending a famine on the land. It will last for seven years. Leave with your family and go live somewhere else.

² She followed his instructions and left with her family to live in Philistia for the seven years. ³ When the seven years ended she returned to Israel. She went to the king to ask that her house and her land be restored to her.

⁴ The king was talking with Gehazi, Elisha's servant, when she found him. The king wanted to know about Elisha's miracles.

⁵ Gehazi was telling the king how Elisha had brought a dead person back to life. The woman made her appeal to the king. Gehazi said to him: Your Majesty, here is the woman and here is her son whom Elisha brought back to life!

⁶ She responded to the king's question by confirming Gehazi's story. The king called an official and told him to give back to her everything that was hers. This included the value of all the crops that her fields produced during the seven years she was away.

⁷ Elisha went to Damascus when King Benhadad of Syria was sick. The king was told that Elisha was there. ⁸ He said to Hazael, one of his officials: Take a gift to the prophet and ask him to consult Jehovah to find out whether or not I am going to get well.

⁹ Hazael loaded forty camels with all kinds of the finest products of Damascus and went to Elisha. Hazael said: Your servant, King Benhadad sent me to ask if he will recover from his sickness.

¹⁰ Elisha answered: Jehovah has revealed to me that he will die. However go to him and tell him that he will recover. ¹¹ Elisha stared at him in horror until Hazael became ill at ease. Suddenly Elisha burst into tears. ¹² Why are you crying? Hazael asked. Because I know the horrible things you will do against the people of Israel, Elisha answered. You will burn their fortresses, slaughter their finest young men, batter their children to death, and rip open their pregnant women.

¹³ How could I ever be that powerful? Hazael asked. I am nobody, only a dog. Elisha replied: Jehovah has revealed to me that you will be king of Syria.

¹⁴ Hazael returned to Benhadad, who asked him: What did Elisha say? He told me that you will certainly get well, Hazael answered. ¹⁵ The following day Hazael took a blanket, soaked it in water, and smothered the king. Hazael succeeded Benhadad as king of Syria.