Elisha Meets Hazael

Elisha came to Damascus while Benhadad, the king of Syria, was sick. When the king heard that the man of God had arrived, he sent Hazael to meet him. Hazael brought a great gift from Damascus, even loads carried by forty camels, and asked whether the king would recover.

Elisha told Hazael to go and tell the king, “You will surely recover.” Yet Elisha also said that the LORD had shown him the king would surely die. Then the man of God fixed his gaze on Hazael until he was ashamed, and Elisha began to weep.

Hazael asked why he was weeping. Elisha answered with sorrow that he knew the evil Hazael would do to the people of Israel. He spoke of strongholds set on fire and terrible violence in war, including harm to young men, children, and pregnant women.

Hazael answered as though such a thing seemed far beyond him. Elisha replied that the LORD had shown him Hazael would become king over Syria. Then Hazael left Elisha and returned to his master.

Back with the king, Hazael was asked what Elisha had said. He reported only that Elisha had said the king would recover. But on the next day, Hazael caused the king's death and then reigned in his place. What do you notice about Elisha's sorrow in this passage?