2 Kings 8:7-15

Christian Standard Bible

Aram’s King Hazael

⁷ Elisha came to Damascus^(A) while King Ben-hadad^(B) of Aram was sick, and the king was told, “The man of God^(C) has come here.” ⁸ So the king said to Hazael,^(D) “Take a gift^(E) with you and go meet the man of God. Inquire of the Lord through him, ‘Will I recover from this sickness?’” ^(F)

⁹ Hazael went to meet Elisha, taking with him a gift: forty camel-loads of all the finest products of Damascus. When he came and stood before him, he said, “Your son,^(G) King Ben-hadad of Aram, has sent me to ask you, ‘Will I recover from this sickness?’”

¹⁰ Elisha told him, “Go say to him, ‘You are sure to^[a] recover.’ But the Lord has shown me that he is sure to die.” ¹¹ Then he stared steadily at him until he was ashamed.^(H)

The man of God wept,^{(I) 12} and Hazael asked, “Why is my lord weeping?”

He replied, “Because I know the evil you will do to the people of Israel. You will set their fortresses on fire. You will kill their young men with the sword. You will dash their children to pieces. You will rip open their pregnant women.”^(J)

¹³ Hazael said, “How could your servant, a mere dog,^(K) do such a mighty deed?”

Elisha answered, “The Lord has shown me that you will be king over Aram.”^(L)

¹⁴ Hazael left Elisha and went to his master, who asked him, “What did Elisha say to you?”

He responded, “He told me you are sure to recover.” ¹⁵ The next day Hazael took a heavy cloth, dipped it in water, and spread it over the king’s face. Ben-hadad died, and Hazael reigned in his place.