Gen 14:24, 2Sa 19:32-38, 2Ki 3:15-18, 8:3-6 | TSK | STEP

Let thy.The whole of this little episode is extremely interesting, and contains an affecting description of the infirmities of old age. The venerable and kind Barzillai was fourscore years old; his ear was become dull of hearing, and his relish for even royal dainties was gone: the evil days had arrived in which he was constrained to say, "I have no pleasure in them." (Ec 12:1.) As he was too old either to enjoy the pleasures of a court, or to be of any further service to the king, he finishes his affecting address to the aged monarch with the request, that he would suffer him to enjoy what old men naturally desire, to "die in mine own city, and be buried by the grave of my father and mother;" at the same time commending his son Chimham to his kind offices.

I may die.

Ge 48:21; Jos 23:14; Lu 2:29,30; 2Ti 4:6; 2Pe 1:14

by the grave.

Ge 47:30; 49:29-31; 50:13; 1Ki 13:22

Chimham.

40; 1Ki 2:7; Jer 41:17

require. Heb. choose.

2 Kings 3:15-18

bring me.This was evidently intended to soothe and tranquillize the prophet's mind, which had been agitated and discomposed with holy indignation by the presence of the idolatrous king, and the recollection of his abomination. The soothing influence of music is generally acknowledged in every civilized nation.

1Sa 10:5; 16:23; 18:10; 1Ch 25:2,3; Eph 5:18,19

the hand.

1Ki 18:46; Eze 1:3; 3:14,22; 8:1; Ac 11:21

Make this valley.

4:3; Nu 2:18,16-18

Ye shall not.

1Ki 18:36-39; Ps 84:6; 107:35; Isa 41:17,18; 43:19,20; 48:21

that ye may.

Ex 17:6; Nu 20:8-11

And this.

1Ki 3:13; Jer 32:17,27; Lu 1:37; Eph 3:20

a light.

20:10; 1Ki 16:31; Isa 7:13; 49:6; Eze 8:17

he will.

1Ki 20:13,28; Isa 7:1-9

2 Kings 8:3-6

A.M. 3119. B.C. 885.

6; 4:13; 6:26; 2Sa 14:4; Ps 82:3,4; Jer 22:16; Lu 18:3-5

the king.As it appears not likely that the king would hold conversation with a leprous man; or, that, knowing Gehazi had been dismissed with the highest disgrace from the prophet's service, he would talk with him concerning his late master; some have supposed that this happened before the cleansing of Naaman. But it agrees better with the chronology to consider it as having taken place after that event; the king, probably, having an insatiable curiosity to know the private history of a man who had done such astonishing things. As to the circumstances of Gehazi's disease, he might overlook that, and converse with him, keeping at a reasonable distance, as nothing but actual contact could defile.

Gehazi.

5:20-27; 7:3,10

Tell.

Mt 2:8; Lu 9:9; 23:8; Joh 9:27; Ac 24:24

all the great.

2:14,20-22,24; 3:14-16; 4:3-6,16,17; 5:14,27; 6:6,9-12,17-20,32

7:1,16-20

he had restored.

4:35

behold, the woman.

Ru 2:3; Es 5:14; 6:11,12; Pr 16:9; Ec 9:11; Mt 10:29,30; Ac 8:27-40

Ro 8:31

My lord.

6:12,26; 1Sa 26:17; Ps 145:1

officer. or, eunuch.

9:32; Ge 37:36; 1Ch 28:1; *margins

Restore all.

De 22:2; Jud 11:13; 2Sa 9:7; Pr 16:7; 21:1