2 Kings 8 15

2 Kings 8:15 kjv

And it came to pass on the morrow, that he took a thick cloth, and dipped it in water, and spread it on his face, so that he died: and Hazael reigned in his stead.

2 Kings 8:15 nkjv

But it happened on the next day that he took a thick cloth and dipped it in water, and spread it over his face so that he died; and Hazael reigned in his place.

2 Kings 8:15 niv

But the next day he took a thick cloth, soaked it in water and spread it over the king's face, so that he died. Then Hazael succeeded him as king.

2 Kings 8:15 esv

But the next day he took the bed cloth and dipped it in water and spread it over his face, till he died. And Hazael became king in his place.

2 Kings 8:15 nlt

But the next day Hazael took a blanket, soaked it in water, and held it over the king's face until he died. Then Hazael became the next king of Aram.

2 Kings 8 verses

2 Kings 8 15 Meaning

This verse narrates the immediate fulfillment of Elisha's prophecy concerning Ben-Hadad's death and Hazael's subsequent ascent to the throne of Aram. Hazael takes a heavy, water-soaked cloth and uses it to suffocate the sick King Ben-Hadad, making his death appear natural or accidental, but in reality, it is a deliberate act of murder. This calculated act clears Hazael's path to kingship, which Elisha had already revealed he would assume. The verse underscores God's sovereignty over the destinies of kings and nations, even those outside Israel.

2 Kings 8 15 Context

This verse immediately follows Elisha's encounter with Hazael in Damascus, where Hazael was sent by the ill King Ben-Hadad to inquire about his recovery. Elisha prophesied that Ben-Hadad would die, despite Hazael's immediate assurance that the king would recover. He also explicitly informed Hazael that Hazael himself would become king and inflict terrible cruelty upon Israel. This prophecy, delivered through tears by Elisha, exposed Hazael's ruthless ambition. Verse 15 marks the prompt, calculated action taken by Hazael to ensure the prophecy's fulfillment and his own rise to power, thereby commencing his role as an instrument of divine judgment against Israel, as previously foretold by Elisha and earlier by Elijah. Historically, royal assassinations for succession were not uncommon in the Ancient Near East, making Hazael's action politically pragmatic, yet divinely foreknown.

2 Kings 8 15 Word analysis

• And it came to pass: Hebrew wayhi. This is a very common narrative connector in Hebrew, indicating a subsequent event or a progression in the storyline. It functions as a temporal marker, signaling what happened next after the significant prophetic encounter.
• on the morrow: Hebrew māḥār. Signifies the very next day. This detail highlights the immediate nature of Hazael's action after receiving the prophecy from Elisha. There was no delay, underscoring Hazael's swiftness in seizing the opportunity and perhaps his underlying ambition.
• that he took: The implied subject is Hazael, based on the preceding narrative. The verb "took" (lāqaḥ) is a common action verb, here indicating deliberate appropriation of an object for a specific purpose.
• a thick cloth: Hebrew mikhberet (מִכְבֶּ֫רֶת). This word specifically refers to a network or interwoven item, often translated as "thick quilt," "rug," or "blanket." Its density is crucial to the method of murder. It was chosen precisely for its ability to restrict airflow when made heavy and damp, an indication of a calculated and stealthy killing. This choice suggests a desire to make Ben-Hadad's death appear due to his sickness rather than an overt act of violence.
• and dipped it in water: This action makes the thick cloth heavier, less breathable, and causes it to adhere more effectively to the victim's face, ensuring a more efficient suffocation. The cold water might also enhance the appearance of fever or sickness. This step emphasizes the deliberate planning behind the murder.
• and spread it on his face: This is the direct act of murder. The action (Hebrew śîm) denotes placing or setting upon. The target, "his face" (Hebrew pānîm), directly indicates the suffocation. This is a personal, close-quarters act, indicative of an assassination, rather than a more public or open combat death.
• so that he died: Hebrew wāyāmot. This directly states the immediate consequence and success of Hazael's action. The brevity here underscores the suddenness and finality of Ben-Hadad's life.
• and Hazael reigned in his stead: Hebrew wayyimlōḵ... taḥtāw. This is the climactic fulfillment of Elisha's prophecy (2 Kgs 8:13). It highlights the political consequence and the transition of power. Hazael's rule immediately begins after this calculated assassination. This phrasing links the murder directly to his enthronement, establishing divine oversight over human ambition and actions.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And it came to pass on the morrow, that he took a thick cloth, and dipped it in water...": This sequence of actions emphasizes the deliberate, almost ritualistic preparation for the murder. It wasn't an act of spontaneous rage, but a carefully planned execution, carried out with cold efficiency. The "morrow" indicates swift, immediate action following Elisha's prophecy, suggesting Hazael's ambition was already present and only needed divine validation to be acted upon.
• "...and spread it on his face, so that he died...": This phrase describes the violent act itself and its immediate, fatal result. The intimate nature of smothering implies proximity and an almost clinical execution designed to avoid suspicion, making it appear that Ben-Hadad succumbed to his illness. The phrase concisely links cause and effect, fulfilling the prophecy.
• "...and Hazael reigned in his stead.": This concluding phrase succinctly states the ultimate outcome, underscoring the purpose of Hazael's action: the seizure of power. It seals the prophecy's fulfillment and introduces the next chapter in the relationship between Aram and Israel, confirming divine appointment despite human treachery.

2 Kings 8 15 Bonus section

The seemingly ambiguous answer from Elisha to Ben-Hadad (2 Kgs 8:10) – "Go, say to him, ‘You shall certainly recover,’” immediately followed by, “But the LORD has shown me that he shall surely die” – reveals a layer of divine knowledge and perhaps prophetic strategy. The prophet communicates directly with Hazael, indicating the deeper truth that the king's illness was not terminal on its own, but God had determined Ben-Hadad's death through another means. This highlights the concept that God's plans sometimes unfold through the actions of ambitious individuals, not always through direct divine intervention or miraculous healing. This verse serves as a crucial point where Elijah's earlier prophetic call to anoint Hazael as king of Aram (1 Kgs 19:15) finds its direct culmination. The transition of power through violence was a recognized pattern in ANE monarchies, but here it is divinely orchestrated through foreknowledge.

2 Kings 8 15 Commentary

2 Kings 8:15 stands as a chilling testament to the swift and often ruthless fulfillment of divine prophecy in the Ancient Near East. While Elisha explicitly tells Ben-Hadad's messenger that the king would recover from his illness, he simultaneously reveals God's true plan to Hazael: Ben-Hadad would surely die, and Hazael would take his place. This double message, common in prophetic discourse to convey divine decree beyond human understanding or initial expectation, sets the stage for Hazael's brutal act. Hazael's choice of suffocation with a wet cloth, rather than a direct stab or poison, demonstrates a calculated attempt to make the death appear natural, succumbing to the fever. Yet, the outcome, Hazael's ascension, immediately links back to Elisha's prophetic words. This incident vividly illustrates that God's plan is not thwarted by human sin but rather incorporates and even uses the ambition and wickedness of individuals to bring about His predetermined will, shaping the destinies of nations and kings according to His sovereign purpose. This event marked a new and harsher period for Israel under Hazael's reign, as foretold by Elisha.