The LORD said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 15. Desert, avoiding the towns as much as possible, ( Calmet.) and travelling through the country of Ammon to Damascus. Menochius.—God does not send Elias again into the midst of danger, at Achab’s court. Bible.—Hazael. God exercises his authority over all nations, and disposes of crowns. He appoints Hazael to punish his people. It does not appear that Elias performed this commission in person, but by the hand of Eliseus. 4 Kennicott. 8:12. Neither do we find that Hazael was anointed, but he was “declared king;” in which sense the term is used. Judges 9:8. Salien. Calmet.—Yet Torniel believes, that Elias really anointed both Hazael and Jehu. He foretold, at least, ( Bible.) that they should reign. Worthington.