Clarke's Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 8:15
Verse 15. A thick cloth] The versions, in general, understand this of a hairy or woollen cloth. So that he died] He was smothered, or suffocated.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 15. And it came to pass on the morrow , etc.] In such haste was Hazael to be king, as the prophet said he would be: that he took a thick cloth, and dipped it in water, and spread it on his face, so that he died ; not that Benhadad took or ordered such a cloth to be dipped and laid on his own face, to allay the violent heat in him; but Hazael did this, and perhaps under such a pretence; but his real design was to strike in the heat, or suffocate him; for such a thick cloth, one of the bedclothes, made of goats’ hair, as is supposed, being dipped in water, would suck in a great deal; and being laid on his face, would press hard, and he not able to throw it off, it would let in much water into his mouth and nostrils, and suffocate him, without leaving any marks of violence, which might render his death suspicious: and Hazael reigned in his stead ; having an interest in the army, of which he was general, and perhaps had done some exploits which had recommended him to the regard of the people.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 7-15 - Among other changes of men's minds by affliction, it often gives othe thoughts of God's ministers, and teaches to value the counsels an prayers of those whom they have hated and despised. It was not in Hazael's countenance that Elisha read what he would do, but God revealed it to him, and it fetched tears from his eyes: the mor foresight men have, the more grief they are liable to. It is possibl for a man, under the convictions and restraints of natural conscience to express great abhorrence of a sin, yet afterwards to be reconcile to it. Those that are little and low in the world, cannot imagine ho strong the temptations of power and prosperity are, which, if ever the arrive at, they will find how deceitful their hearts are, how muc worse than they suspected. The devil ruins men, by saying they shal certainly recover and do well, so rocking them asleep in security Hazael's false account was an injury to the king, who lost the benefi of the prophet's warning to prepare for death, and an injury to Elisha who would be counted a false prophet. It is not certain that Hazae murdered his master, or if he caused his death it may have been withou any design. But he was a dissembler, and afterwards proved a persecuto to Israel.
Original Hebrew
ויהי 1961 ממחרת 4283 ויקח 3947 המכבר 4346 ויטבל 2881 במים 4325 ויפרשׂ 6566 על 5921 פניו 6440 וימת 4191 וימלך 4427 חזהאל 2371 תחתיו׃ 8478
