2 Kings 8:7-15 ▼

7 Elisha went to Damascus. King Benhadad of Aram, who was sick, was told, |The man of God has come here.|

8 The king told Hazael, |Take a present, and meet the man of God. Ask the LORD through him, 'Will I recover from this illness?'|

9 Hazael went to meet Elisha. He took with him a present and all kinds of goods from Damascus. He had loaded the goods on 40 camels. He stood in front of Elisha and said, |Your humble servant King Benhadad of Aram has sent me to you. He asks whether he will recover from this illness.|

10 Elisha replied, |Tell him that he will get better, although the LORD has shown me that he is actually going to die.|

11 He stared at him until he became embarrassed. Then the man of God began to cry.

12 |Sir, why are you crying?| Hazael asked. Elisha answered, |I know the evil you will do to the Israelites: You will set their fortresses on fire, kill their best young men, smash their little children, and rip open their pregnant women.|

13 But Hazael asked, |How can a dog like me do such a significant thing?| Elisha answered, |The LORD has shown me that you will become king of Aram.|

14 Hazael left Elisha and went to his master Benhadad, who asked him what Elisha had said. Hazael answered, |He told me that you will get better.|

15 But the next day Hazael took a blanket, soaked it in water, and smothered the king with it. Hazael ruled as king in his place.