The answer is: Suffocated by a blanket

2 Ki 8:15

The story of Ben-hadad in 2 Kings provides us with an almost dramatic and oddly specific end to a king. Ben-hadad's demise, suffocated by a blanket, sounds like an intriguing twist—more akin to a soap opera than the usual battlefield finale one might expect for a king. In the culture of that time, blankets could symbolize comfort and security, yet here they represent the very mechanism of his downfall. It’s almost poetic!

This incident unfolds in the context of a powerful prophet interpreting the will of God—not something trivial when you consider that Elisha held a unique prophetic mission to guide both Israel and foreign kings. Ben-hadad's death isn't just a personal tragedy; it symbolizes the tumultuous relationship between Israel and its surrounding nations. Throughout the Bible, God's involvement in the affairs of kings speaks profoundly about divine sovereignty versus human opposition, showcasing cycles of violence often typical of ancient Near Eastern narratives.

Interestingly, the notion of a blanket suffocating someone evokes remnants of ancient literary echoes in stories across cultures. There's something eerily universal in the retelling of kings meeting their end through their own comforts. This tale also subtly nudges us to think about the nature of power—how the very tools of political treachery or royal leisure can become instruments of justice. That is a heavenly balance creating echoes of moral lessons for readers throughout the ages.