¹¹ Then he stared steadily at him until he was ashamed.^(A)

The man of God wept,^{(B) 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.”^(C)

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

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

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.

³ So the Lord’s anger burned against Israel,^(A) and he handed them over to King Hazael^(B) of Aram and to his son Ben-hadad^(C) during their reigns.

God’s Mercy on Israel

²² King Hazael^(A) of Aram oppressed Israel throughout the reign of Jehoahaz,

²⁴ King Hazael of Aram died, and his son Ben-hadad^(A) became king in his place.