2 Kings 8:11 - Exposition

And he settled his countenance steadfastly —literally, and he settled his countenance and set it ; i.e. Elisha fixed on Hazael a long and meaning look— until he — i.e. Hazael— was ashamed ; i.e. until Hazael felt embarrassed, and his eyes fell It may be gathered that the ambitious courtier had already formed a murderous design against his master, and understood by the peculiar gaze which the prophet fixed upon him that his design was penetrated. And the man of God wept. There flashed on the prophet's mind all the long series of calamities which Israel would suffer at the hands of Syria during Hazael's reign, and he could not but weep at the thought of them (see the next verse).