2 Kings 8:10

Go, say unto him, Thou mayest certainly[R.V. shalt surely] recover This is not the translation of the Hebrew text (Kethib) but of the marginal reading [Keri. The variation is between לא the negative and לו the pronoun and preposition. The text would be rendered -Go say; Thou shalt notrecover". This does not suit with what follows, -Howbeit the Lord hath shewed me that he shall surely die". We should expect -For the Lord &c." The meaning of the prophet's words is, -Go and carry him such a message as a courtier is likely to carry, a message of good promise, for this I know you are likely to do, yet the Lord has made known to me that he will die". The R.V. has given the translation of the Kethibon the margin, but as that is so little in harmony with the context, has translated the Keriin the text, though this is contrary to the usual rule of the Revisers.

Another way of explaining the language of Elisha has been adopted by some. It is pointed out that the king's question was -Shall I recover of this disease?" Elisha, forewarned of the events that were coming, gives as answer to that enquiry -Thou shalt surely recover", meaning thereby that the disease would not kill Benhadad, but suppresses that other source whence danger and death threatened, viz., the murderous hands of Hazael, which he knew would soon slay his master. This seems very unlike the manner of a prophet of the Lord. The explanation previously given is therefore to be preferred. Bp Hall takes the later explanation, -The Lord hath shewed me that he shall surely die, by another means, though not by the disease".