8:7 Elisha came to Damascus. It was unusual for prophets to visit foreign capitals, but Elisha was on an unusual mission: to implement the first of the three commands God had given to Elijah on Mount Horeb (1 Kin. 19:15, 16).

Ben-hadad. Probably Ben-hadad II (6:24; 1 Kin. 20:1 note).