(11) Thwarts the Syrians. The sacred rec ord again leads us to contemplate the prophet's usefulness, not only in such individual points of view, but also in reference to his country at large. Does the king of Syria devise well-concerted schemes for the destruction of Israel? God in spires Elisha to detect and lay them open to Jehoram. Benhadad, on hearing that It was he that thus caused his hostile movements to be frustrated, sent an armed band to Dothan in order to bring him bound to Damascus. (See BEN HADAD.) The prophet's servant on seeing the host of the enemy which invested Dothan, was much alarmed, but by the prayer of Elisha God reveals to him the mighty company of angels which were set for their defense. Regardless of consequences, the prophet went forth to meet the hostile band ; and having again prayed, God so blinded them that they could not recognize the object of their search. The prophet then prom ised to lead them to where they might see him with the natural eye. Trusting to his guidance they followed on till they reached the center of Samaria, when, the optical illusion being re moved, Elisha stands in his recognized form be fore them. The king was for putting them all to death; but, through the interposition of him whom they had just before sought to destroy, they were honorably dismissed to their own coun try. (B. C. 892.) (12) Famine in Samaria. But a year had scarcely elapsed from this time when Benhadad, unmindful of Israel's kindness and forbearance, invests Samaria and reduces its inhabitants to a state of starvation. Still the king of Israel plunges deeper and deeper into sin, for he orders Elisha to be put to death, conceiving that it was his prayer which brought these sufferings upon himself and the nation. But God forewarns him of his danger, and inspires him to predict to the wicked king that by to-morrow 'a measure of fine flour should be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.' This assur ance was not more comfortable than incredible; but when the lord on whose hand the king leaned expressed his disbelief, he was awfully rebuked by the assurance that he should see but not enjoy the benefit. The next night God caused the Syrians to hear the noise of chariots and horses; and conceiving that Jehoram had hired against them the kings of the Hittites and the king of Egypt, they fled from before the walls of Samaria —leaving their tents filled with gold and provis ions—in the utmost panic and confusion. In this way did God, according to the word of Elisha, miraculously deliver the inhabitants of Samaria from a deadly enemy without, and from sore fam ine within, its walls ; another prediction moreover was accomplished; for the distrustful lord was trampled to death by the famished people in rush ing through the gate of the city to the forsaken tents of the Syrians (2 Kings vii:5).
(13) Elisha at Damascus. We next find the prophet in Damascus, but are not told what led him thither (B. C. 885). Benhadad, the king, whose counsels he had so often frustrated, rejoiced to hear of his presence; and now, as if he had forgotten the attempt he once made upon his life, dispatches a noble messenger with a costly pres ent, to consult him concerning his sickness and recovery. The prophet replied that he should then
die, though his indisposition was not of a deadly character. Seeing moreover, in prophetic vision, that the man Hazael, who now stood before him, should be king in Benhadad's stead; and that, as such, he would commit unheard-of cruelties upon his country, the prophet was moved to tears. How these painful anticipations of Elisha were realized the subsequent history of this man proved.
(14) Jehu Anointed. For a considerable time after Elisha had sent to anoint Jehu king over Israel we find no mention of him in the sacred record. We have reason to suppose that he was utterly neglected by Jehu, Jehoahaz, and Joash, who reigned in succession. Neither the sanctity of his life nor the stupendous miracles he wrought had the effect of reforming the nation at large: much of the time of his latter years was, doubt less, spent in the schools of the prophets.
(15) Death. At length, worn out by his public and private labors, and at the age of 9o—during 6o of which he is supposed to have prophesied—he is called into eternity. Nor was the manner of his death inglorious; though he did not enter into rest as did Elijah (2 Kings xiii 14, etc.). Amongst his weeping attendants was Joash, the king of Israel. He was probably stung with remorse for having so neglected to acknowl edge his national worth ; yet, though late, God does not suffer this public recognition of his aged and faithful servant to go unrequited. The spirit of prophecy again entering the dying Elisha, he informs Joash that he should prevail against the Syrians. Even after death God would put honor upon Elisha; a dead body having touched his bones came to life again (2 Kings (16) Character. Elisha was greater yet less, less yet greater, than Elijah. He is less. We can not dispense with the mighty past even when we have shot far beyond it. Those who follow cannot be as those who went before. A prophet like Elijah comes once and does not return. Elisha. both to his countrymen and to us, is but the successor, the faint reflection of his predecessor. Less, yet greater ; for the work of the great ones of this earth is carried on by far inferior instruments but on a far wider scale, and it may be in a far higher spirit. The life of an Elijah is never spent in vain. Even his, death has not taken him from us. He struggles; single-handed as it would seem, and without effect ; and in the very crisis of the na tion's history is suddenly and mysteriously re moved. But his work continues; his mantle falls; his teaching spreads; his enemies perish. The prophet preaches and teaches, the martyr dies and passes away ; but other men enter into his labors. What was begun in fire and storm, in solitude and awful visions, must be carried on through win ning arts, and healing acts, and gentle words of peaceful and social intercourse; not in the desert of Horeb, or on the top of Carmel, but in the crowded thoroughfares of Samaria, in the gar dens of Damascus. by the rushing waters of Jor dan." (Prof. H. R. Hackett, Smith, Bib. Diet.)