2 Kings 8:12

“And Hazael said, Why weepeth my lord? etc.] Imagining it was for the death of Benhadad he had predicted, for which he could see no reason; of the title, “my lord”, (see <111807>1 Kings 18:7) and he answered, because I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Israel; which he foresaw by a spirit of prophecy; and Israel being his own people, he sympathized in their calamities before they came: their strong holds wilt thou set on fire; which should be taken by him, (see <121032> 2 Kings 10:32) and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword; in battle: and wilt dash their children; against rocks and stones, or stone walls, or upon the ground, floor, or pavement, as was usual in…”

“The evil that thou wilt do - The intention is not to tax Hazael with special cruelty, but only to enumerate the ordinary horrors of war, as it was conducted among the Oriental nations of the time. Compare the marginal references. return to 'Top of Page'”

“my Lord: Kg2 4:28; Kg1 18:13 the evil: Kg2 10:32, Kg2 10:33, Kg2 12:17, Kg2 13:3, Kg2 13:7; Amo 1:3, Amo 1:4 dash: Kg2 15:16; Psa 137:8, Psa 137:9; Isa 13:16, Isa 13:18; Hos 10:14, Hos 13:16; Amo 1:3-5, Amo 1:13; Nah 3:10 4 Kings (2 Kings) 8:13”

“When Hazael asked him the cause of his weeping, Elisha replied: "I know the evil which thou wilt do to the sons of Israel: their fortresses wilt thou set on fire (בּאשׁ שׁלּח, see at Jdg 1:8), their youths wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash their children to pieces, and cut asunder their women with child" (בּקּע, split, cut open the womb). This cruel conduct towards Israel which is here predicted of Hazael, was only a special elaboration of the brief statement made by the Lord to Elijah concerning Hazael ( Kg1 19:17). The fulfilment of this prediction is indicated generally in Kg2 10:32-33, and Kg2 13:3.; and we may infer with certainty from Hos 10:14 and Hos 14:1, that Hazael…”