The Prophet's Weeping Over Foreseen Evil

Hazael arrives at Elisha's dwelling as an ambitious military officer, already nursed by years of hope since Elijah's anointing. When the prophet reveals that Ben-hadad will recover—dashing Hazael's expectation of immediate succession—disappointment crystallizes into murderous resolve. In that instant, ambition transforms into definite, settled purpose. Yet Elisha perceives the hidden thing. The prophet's eye searches Hazael until the soldier turns away ashamed, his inmost heart read by the man of Elohim.…