he revived and stood up on his feet] The record of this miracle seems
intended to set forth that it was nothing in the prophet himself which
had given him the great powers he manifested in his lifetime. Through
his dead body God could work a miracle also. 'Israel shall well
see that He lives, by whose virtue Elisha was, both in life and death,
miraculous. While the prophet was alive, the impetration might seem
to be his, though the power were God's; now that he is dead, the
bones can challenge nothing, but send the wandering Israelites to that
Almighty agent to whom it is all one to work by the quick or dead.'
(Bp. Hall.)



w. 22— 25.] II. KINGS, XIII. 137

/ But Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days 0/ 3a
' Jehoahaz. And the Lord was gracious unto them, and had 93
compassion on them, and had respect unto them, because
of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would
not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as
yet. So Hazael king of Syria died ; and Ben-hadad his son 24
reigned in his stead. And Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz took 25
again out of the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael the
cities, which he had taken out of the hand of Jehoahaz his
father by war. Three times did Joash beat him, and re-
covered the cities of Israel.
