2 Kings 8:9

“So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, etc.] As was usual when a prophet or seer was consulted, (see <090907>1 Samuel 9:7) even of every good thing of Damascus; which was a very fruitful place, and had abundance of gardens and orchards in it, which yielded excellent fruit, and of such it is probable the present consisted, and which was large: even forty camels’ burden: which, as they are strong creatures, will bear a great deal. Abarbinel thinks, bread, flesh, and wine, and fowls, were in the present, but not gold, silver, and raiment, which the prophet had refused to take of Naaman; the Jews have a fable, that there was a precious stone in it, worth all the good things of…”

“forty camels' burden--The present, consisting of the rarest and most valuable produce of the land, would be liberal and magnificent. But it must not be supposed it was actually so large as to require forty camels to carry it. The Orientals are fond of display, and would, ostentatiously, lay upon forty beasts what might very easily have been borne by four. Thy son Ben-hadad--so called from the established usage of designating the prophet "father." This was the same Syrian monarch who had formerly persecuted him (see Kg2 6:13-14).”

“Every good thing of Damascus - Probably, besides rich robes and precious metals, the luscious wine of Helbon, which was the drink of the Persian kings, the soft white wool of the anti-Libanus Ezekiel 27:18, damask coverings of couches Amos 3:12, and numerous manufactured articles of luxury, which the Syrian capital imported from Tyre, Egypt, Nineveh, and Babylon. Forty camels were laden with it, and this goodly caravan paraded the streets of the town, conveying to the prophet the splendid gift designed for him. Eastern ostentation induces donors to make the greatest possible show of their gifts, and each camel would probably bear only one or two articles. Thy son Ben-hadad - A phrase…”

“Thy son - He who before persecuted him as an enemy, now in his extremity honours him like a father. 4 Kings (2 Kings) 8:10”

“8:9 forty camels with the finest products: Although gifts were not unusual when inquiring of a prophet (see 1 Sam 9:6-8), Ben-hadad’s gifts were lavish, testifying both to his wealth and to the esteem he had for Elisha.”

“Hazael: Kg1 19:15 with him: Heb. in his hand, Kg2 5:5 Thy son Benhadad: Kg2 6:21, Kg2 13:14, Kg2 16:7; Sa1 25:8; Plm 1:14 4 Kings (2 Kings) 8:10”