Elisha predicted the death of the king of Syria

7 Elisha went to Damascus, the capital of Syria, when Ben-Hadad, the king of Syria, was very sick. When someone told the king that Elisha was in Damascus, 8 the king told one of his officials named Hazael, “Go and talk to that prophet and take a present/gift with you to give to him. Request him to ask Yahweh if I will recover from my illness.”

9 So Hazael went to talk with Elisha. He took with him forty camels that were carrying many kinds of goods that were produced in Damascus. When Hazael met him, he said to him, “Your friend Ben-Hadad, the king of Syria, sent me to ask you whether you think he will recover from his illness.”

10 Elisha said to Hazael, “Go and say to him, ‘Yes, you will certainly not die from this illness,’ but Yahweh has shown me that he will certainly die before he recovers.” 11 Then Elisha stared at him and had a terrified look on his face. That caused Hazael to feel uneasy/embarrassed. Then suddenly Elisha started to cry.

12 Hazael said, “Sir, why are you crying?”

Elisha replied, “Because Yahweh has enabled me to know the terrible things that you will do to the people of Israel: You will burn their cities with walls around them, you will kill their fine young men with a sword, you will bash the heads of their children, and you will rip open the bellies of their pregnant women with a sword.”

13 Hazael replied, “I am as insignificant as [MET] a dog; ◄how could I do such things?/I would never do such terrible things!►” [RHQ]

Elisha replied, “Yahweh has also revealed to me that you will become the king of Syria.”

14 Then Hazael left and returned to his master/boss the king, who asked him, “What did Elisha say?”

He replied, “He told me that you would certainly recover.” 15 But the next day, while the king was sleeping, Hazael took a blanket and soaked it in water. Then he spread it on the king’s face in order that he could not breathe, and he died. Then Hazael became the king of Syria instead of Ben-Hadad.