And it came to pass on the morrow, that he took a thick cloth, and dipped it in water, and spread it on his face, so that he died: and Hazael reigned in his stead.

2 KINGS 8:15KJV
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2 Kings 8:15 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 8:15 mean?

2 Kings 8:15 describes how Hazael killed Ben-Hadad, the king of Syria, by suffocating him with a wet cloth, and then took his place as king. This verse shows the moment when Hazael’s rise to power is completed through an act of murder.

The setting is the royal court of Syria, where Ben-Hadad is sick and Hazael, one of his officials, is attending him. Earlier in the chapter, Hazael had visited the prophet Elisha, who foretold that Hazael would become king. The verse gives a direct account of Hazael’s actions, showing both the method (a thick, wet cloth) and the result (Ben-Hadad’s death and Hazael’s succession).

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 8:15

  • The word for "cloth" is מַכְבֵּר (makber), which refers to a thick or coarse fabric. This detail helps us picture the suffocation as deliberate and effective, not accidental.
  • The verb "dipped" is טָבַל (tabal), meaning to immerse or soak. The cloth was intentionally made wet, likely to block air more completely.
  • The word for "spread" is פָּרַשׂ (parash), which means to stretch out or spread over. This shows that Hazael placed the wet cloth directly over Ben-Hadad’s face, making the act unmistakably intentional.

Why 2 Kings 8:15 matters

  • The verse clarifies that Hazael’s rise to power was not just political maneuvering but involved a clear act of violence and betrayal.
  • The details about the method—using a soaked cloth—show premeditation, not a sudden or impulsive act.
  • This moment fulfills Elisha’s earlier prophecy and sets the stage for later events in the region, highlighting the seriousness of Hazael’s actions for both Israel and Syria.

Where else these words appear

“dipped” Hebrew H2881 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 37:31 And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood;
  • Leviticus 14:6 As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water:
  • Joshua 3:15 And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water,(for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,)

“Hazael” Hebrew H2371 · used in 21 verses

  • 1 Kings 19:15 And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:
  • 2 Kings 8:28 And he went with Joram the son of Ahab to the war against Hazael king of Syria in Ramothgilead; and the Syrians wounded Joram.
  • 2 Kings 13:3 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he delivered them into the hand of Hazael king of Syria, and into the hand of Benhadad the son of Hazael, all their days.

“morrow” Hebrew H4283 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 19:34 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the firstborn said unto the younger, Behold, I lay yesternight with my father: let us make him drink wine this night also; and go thou in, and lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.
  • Numbers 11:32 And the people stood up all that day, and all that night, and all the next day, and they gathered the quails: he that gathered least gathered ten homers: and they spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp.
  • 1 Samuel 5:4 And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him.

“spread” Hebrew H6566 · used in 66 verses

  • Exodus 9:29 And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the LORD; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth is the LORD'S.
  • 2 Kings 19:14 And Hezekiah received the letter of the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD.
  • Isaiah 33:23 Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail: then is the prey of a great spoil divided; the lame take the prey.