CONTENTS The most interesting part of this chapter is that which contains the death of the prophet Elisha. We have heard nothing of this man of God for some time. Here we are introduced to his history afresh, and the relation of his death. Here is also an account of the wicked reign of Jehoahaz, ki... [ Continue Reading ]
Reader! what a melancholy relation, for the most part, is the history of Israel under their kings. The outline of it is little more than that such an one began to reign at such a period, that he reigned so long, and that he did evil in the sight of the Lord, as his father had done before him. And is... [ Continue Reading ]
The relation in this verse is the natural consequence of sin; for sin; when it is finished, bringeth forth death.... [ Continue Reading ]
This is a sweet account in the midst of the narrative, as a beautiful spot of herbage amidst a barren heath. Observe how grace works; and how it brings forth God's mercy!... [ Continue Reading ]
The best improvement to be made of the short account of this man's reign is, that God's grace exceeded his undeservings. Sweet is that scripture, the Lord delighteth in mercy. Micah 7:18.... [ Continue Reading ]
What an awful character was Jeroboam! And what an awful monument, even to this hour, remains to his dreadful memory in the book of God! Reader! think what an aggravated state of guilt must that man be heaping to himself, whose transgressions operate after his death; the deadly fruit of whose iniquit... [ Continue Reading ]
Our minds are relieved from the relation of such awful characters as we have lately been looking to, in the history of Jehoahaz and Joash, in the very mention of the name of Elisha, the man of God. And though we are now arrived to the period of his death in the history, yet, precious in the sight of... [ Continue Reading ]
The prophet, though dying, had lost nothing of his prophetical spirit, nor of his faithfulness in God's covenant promises. Like another Elijah, he gives intimations, even in death, of what should follow. The typical representation of the arrow, and of smiting, fully explains what the prophet's meani... [ Continue Reading ]
Here is no account of the prophet's funeral, or of Israel's lamentation over him. Reader! doth not the death of the servants of our Lord always remind thee, and call forth holy joy in the heart, that though all die, yet Jesus the Master liveth forever! Sweet thought! And oh! the preciousness of the... [ Continue Reading ]
This miracle perhaps, (for I do not presume to decide upon it positively) had a double signification. Probably it might be intended to imply that the doctrine Elisha had delivered, gave life to the souls of the faithful, after the prophet himself was no more. And yet perhaps, more probably, the thin... [ Continue Reading ]
The chapter closes with a double aspect, Israel's unworthiness, and the Lord's grace and favor. Oh! dearest Jesus! how doth thy great, thy glorious salvation shine more conspicuously blessed, when beheld over the view of man's undeservings! Surely everything in redemption-work loudly proclaims that... [ Continue Reading ]
REFLECTIONS I PASS over every other consideration, which the perusal of this chapter affords, to take the larger, and more attentive review of the dying moments of the man of God, Elisha. No doubt the recollection of the wicked reign of Jehoahaz and Joash; the infinite clemency of a most gracious Go... [ Continue Reading ]