But: The Hebrew text at this point contains the verbal expression commonly translated “And it happened” or “And it came to pass” (King James Version). But the expression is used here to introduce a new episode in the story. It also marks a contrast between Hazael’s statement about the king’s recovery and his opposing action described in this verse.

He took the coverlet …: The pronoun he almost certainly refers to Hazael. This should be made clear in the receptor language. It is possible, but not probable, that the subject of these actions was King Benhadad himself, who may have accidentally and clumsily caused his own death or who may have deliberately committed suicide.

The Hebrew word translated coverlet is difficult because it occurs only here in the Old Testament. It almost certainly refers to some sort of netted cloth. New International Version translates the coverlet as “a thick cloth.” Moffatt says “the bath-towel,” while New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “a piece of netting.” Other versions have simply “a cloth” (New American Bible, American Bible) or “a blanket” (Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible). But the word is preceded by the definite article, which would seem to indicate that it was something that was well known because it was closely associated with a person on his sickbed.

Till he died is literally “and he died.” Most interpreters think the common Hebrew conjunction here is intended to indicate purpose. But did Hazael intentionally murder Benhadad? Or did he merely discover that he was dead when he removed the cloth after having attempted to ease his master’s fever by placing a damp cloth over his face? This is the position of at least one major commentator (Gray), but most agree that what is involved here is assassination by suffocation. The story is so interpreted by Josephus (k Jewish Antiquitiesk* 9.4.6). It is therefore legitimate to translate “so that he died” (Revised English Bible, New American Bible), indicating the intent to kill on the part of Hazael. Compare Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, which reads “and suffocated him” (similarly Good News Translation, Bible en français courant).

Became king in his stead or “reigned in his stead.” This is the usual Hebrew expression used when there is a change in leadership whether the previous ruler dies a natural death, is killed in battle, or is assassinated. See the comments on 1 Kgs 1.35.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .