2 Kings 8:15

Contextual Overview

⁷Elisha came to Damascus while King Ben-hadad of Aram was sick, and the king was told, “The man of God has come here.” ⁷ Elisha came to Dammesek; and Ben-Hadad the king of Aram was sick; and it was told him, saying, The man of God is come here. ⁷ And Elisha came to Damascus; and Benhadad the king of Syria was sick; and it was told him, saying, The man of God is come hither. ⁷ Now Elisha came to Damascus. Ben-hadad the king of Syria was sick. And when it was told him, "The man of God has come here," ⁷ Then Elisha went to Damascus, where Ben-Hadad king of Aram was sick. Someone told him, "The man of God has arrived." ⁷ Elisha traveled to Damascus while King Ben Hadad of Syria was sick. The king was told, "The prophet has come here." ⁷Now Elisha came to Damascus, and Ben-hadad king of Aram (Syria) was sick; and he was told, "The man of God has come here." ⁷ Then Elisha came to Damascus. Now Ben-hadad, the king of Aram, was sick, and it was told to him, saying, "The man of God has come here." ⁷ Then Elisha came to Damascus, and Ben-hadad the King of Aram was sicke, and one told him, saying, The man of God is come hither. ⁷Then Elisha came to Damascus. Now Ben-hadad king of Aram was sick, and it was told to him, saying, "The man of God has come here."

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

And it came: 2 Kings 8:13, 1 Samuel 16:12, 1 Samuel 16:13, 1 Samuel 24:4-7, 1 Samuel 24:13, 1 Samuel 26:9-11, 1 Kings 11:26-37

on the morrow: Psalms 36:4, Micah 2:1

that he took a thick cloth: There is a considerable degree of ambiguity in this passage. The pronoun he is generally referred to Hazael; but Dr. Geddes and others are decidedly of the opinion, that we should understand by it Ben-hadad; who, encouraged by the favourable answer of Elisha, as reported by Hazael, adopted a violent remedy to allay the heat of his fever, and put over his face the keever, or fly-net. (See note on 1 Samuel 19:13), dipped in water, which suddenly checked the perspiration, and occasioned his death.

so that he died: 2 Kings 9:24, 2 Kings 15:10-14, 2 Kings 15:25, 2 Kings 15:30, 1 Kings 15:28, 1 Kings 16:10, 1 Kings 16:18, Isaiah 33:1

Hazael: 2 Kings 8:13, 1 Kings 19:15

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 8:10 - he shall surely die

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And it came to pass on the morrow,.... In such haste was Hazael to be king, as the prophet said he would be:

that he took a thick cloth, and dipped it in water, and spread it on his face, so that he died; not that Benhadad took or ordered such a cloth to be dipped and laid on his own face, to allay the violent heat in him; but Hazael did this, and perhaps under such a pretence; but his real design was to strike in the heat, or suffocate him; for such a thick cloth, one of the bedclothes, made of goats' hair, as is supposed, being dipped in water, would suck in a great deal; and being laid on his face, would press hard, and he not able to throw it off, it would let in much water into his mouth and nostrils, and suffocate him, without leaving any marks of violence, which might render his death suspicious:

and Hazael reigned in his stead; having an interest in the army, of which he was general, and perhaps had done some exploits which had recommended him to the regard of the people.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

A thick cloth - Probably, a cloth or mat placed between the head and the upper part of the bedstead, which in Egypt and Assyria was often so shaped that pillows (in our sense) were unnecessary.

The objection that Elisha is involved in the guilt of having suggested the deed, has no real force or value. Hazael was no more obliged to murder Benhadad because a prophet announced to him that he would one day be king of Syria, than David was obliged to murder Saul because another prophet anointed him king in Saul’s room 1 Samuel 16:1-13.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 2 Kings 8:15. A thick cloth — The versions, in general, understand this of a hairy or woollen cloth.

So that he died — He was smothered, or suffocated.