⁷¹ He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”^(A)

¹² So, if you think you are standing firm,^(A) be careful that you don’t fall!

³² In those days the Lord began to reduce^(A) the size of Israel. Hazael^(B) overpowered the Israelites throughout their territory

¹² “Why is my lord weeping?” asked Hazael.

“Because I know the harm^(A) you will do to the Israelites,” he answered. “You will set fire to their fortified places, kill their young men with the sword, dash^(B) their little children^(C) to the ground, and rip open^(D) their pregnant women.”

¹³ Hazael said, “How could your servant, a mere dog,^(E) accomplish such a feat?”

“The Lord has shown me that you will become king^(F) of Aram,” answered Elisha.

¹⁴ Then Hazael left Elisha and returned to his master. When Ben-Hadad asked, “What did Elisha say to you?” Hazael replied, “He told me that you would certainly recover.” ¹⁵ 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.^(G) Then Hazael succeeded him as king.