On the next day, he took a thick cloth, dipped it in water, and spread it on the king’s face, so that he died. Then Hazael reigned in his place.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 15. Blanket. Hebrew macber, a word which the Septuagint retain. Bible.—It denotes a hairy coverlet, pillow, and so forth Tiberius and Frederic II. met with the like fate. Calmet.—Some think that Hazael was only guilty of imprudence; ( Menochius.) or that Benadad killed himself; as the Hebrew might be rendered, if the sequel did not evince that his death was caused by Hazael’s malice. Calmet.—He might pretend that the wet cloth would give Benadad refreshment. Bible.—But it would bring on present death, with most exquisite torture. Tirinus.—The names of both these kings were in great veneration among the Syrians, who paid them divine honours. Joseph. ix. 4.—Perhaps they might not know that the latter had been guilty of such a base murder. Bible.