Ben-Hadad in 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles
Ben-Hadad is a recurring name for several kings of Aram (Syria) in the Old Testament, particularly in the books of 1 and 2 Kings. The name itself means "son of Hadad," with Hadad being a Syrian deity, and it functioned as a standing title for Syrian monarchs [4, 7]. Biblical accounts refer to at least three distinct kings named Ben-Hadad, all of whom played significant roles in the history of the divided monarchy of Israel and Judah [4, 5].
The first Ben-Hadad (Ben-Hadad I) is mentioned in 1 Kings 15:18. He was the king of Damascus, which was the dominant power in Syria during his reign [5]. King Asa of Judah formed an alliance with Ben-Hadad I, offering him gifts from the Temple treasury to persuade him to attack Baasha, the king of Israel. This alliance led Ben-Hadad I to conquer a substantial portion of northern Israel [4, 5, 9]. This event is dated around 950 B.C. [5].
The second Ben-Hadad (Ben-Hadad II) is often identified as the son of Ben-Hadad I and also reigned as king of Damascus [4, 5]. His reign was characterized by prolonged conflicts with Israel [5]. He is prominently featured in 1 Kings 20, where he gathers a large army, including thirty-two allied kings or petty princes, and besieges Samaria, the capital of Israel [1, 3, 13, 14]. Ben-Hadad II initially sends an arrogant message to King Ahab of Israel, demanding tribute and the right to plunder the city [2, 8]. However, Ahab, advised by the elders, refuses the more extreme demands [8]. A prophet then assures Ahab of victory, and the Syrians are defeated, with Ben-Hadad II narrowly escaping [8].
Later, Ben-Hadad II again wages war against Israel and besieges Samaria, leading to a severe famine within the city (2 Kings 6:24) [5, 10]. This siege is seen by some as a consequence of Ahab's earlier misplaced kindness towards Ben-Hadad [10]. Ben-Hadad II's reign ended when he was murdered by Hazael, who then succeeded him on the throne of Syria (2 Kings 8:7-15) [4]. This Ben-Hadad is sometimes referred to as Hadad-ezer in Assyrian records, where he is noted as part of a twelve-king coalition that opposed Shalmaneser III in the Battle of Qarqar in 853 BC [14].
A third Ben-Hadad (Ben-Hadad III) is mentioned as the son and successor of Hazael on the throne of Syria (2 Kings 13:3-4) [4, 6]. His military misfortunes are noted by the prophet Amos (Amos 1:4) [4, 11]. This Ben-Hadad is distinct from the one supplanted by Hazael [11].
The interactions with the various Ben-Hadads highlight the complex and often hostile relationship between Israel and Aram during the period of the divided monarchy. The biblical narrative often uses these conflicts to illustrate divine intervention and the consequences of the kings of Israel's actions, such as Ahab's initial leniency towards Ben-Hadad II [10, 12].
Sources
- I Kings “I Kings 20:1 (YLT) — And Ben-Hadad king of Aram hath gathered all his force, and thirty and two kings <FI>are<Fi> with him, and horse and chariot, and he goeth up and layeth siege against Samaria, and fighteth with it,”
- 1 Kings “He sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel, into the city, and said to him, “Thus says Ben Hadad, -- 1 Kings 20:2”
- 1 Kings “Ben Hadad the king of Syria gathered all his army together; and there were thirty-two kings with him, and horses and chariots: and he went up and besieged Samaria, and fought against it. -- 1 Kings 20:1”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Ben-hadad — The standing title of the Syrian kings, meaning "the son of Hadad." (See [59]HADADEZER.) (1.) The king of Syria whom Asa, king of Judah, employed to invade Israel (1 Kings 15:18). (2.) Son of the preceding, also king of Syria. He was long engaged in war against Israel. He was murdered probably by Hazael, by whom he was succeeded (2 Kings 8:7-15), after a reign of some thirty years. (3.) King of Damascus, and successor of his father Hazael on the throne of Syria (2 Kings 13:3, 4). His misfortunes in war are noticed by Amos (1:4).”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Benhadad — (son of Hadad), the name of three kings of Damascus. BENHADAD I., King of Damascus, which in his time was supreme in Syria. He made an alliance with Asa, and conquered a great part of the north of Israel. (1 Kings 15:18) His date is B.C. 950. BEN-HADAD II., son of the preceding, and also king of Damascus. Long wars with Israel characterized his reign. Some time after the death of Ahab, Benhadad renewed the war with Israel, attacked Samaria a second time, and pressed the siege so closely that there was a terrible famine in the city. But the Syrians broke up ”
- STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=H1130I — King living at the time of Divided Monarchy (refs: #A King of Aram living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Ki.13.3; <br>only referr)”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Benhadad — son of Hadad, or noise”
- 1 Kings (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Kings 20 (introduction): Ben-hadad, king of Syria, and thirty-two kings, besiege Samaria, Kg1 20:1. He sends an insulting message to Ahab; and insists on pillaging the whole city, Kg1 20:2-7. The elders of Israel counsel the king not to submit to such shameful conditions, Kg1 20:8. He sends a refusal to Ben-hadad; who, being enraged, vows revenge, Kg1 20:9-12. A prophet comes to Ahab, and promises him victory, and gives him directions how he should order the battle, Kg1 20:13-19. The Syrians are discomfited, and Ben-hadad scarcely escapes, Kg1 20:20, Kg1 20:21. The prophet war”
- 1 Kings (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Kings 15:18: 15:18-19 Ben-hadad . . . the king of Aram and his successors were a major factor in Aramean-Israelite relations for many years. Asa’s appeal for Ben-hadad’s help was reinforced with rich gifts taken from the Temple treasury. Despite previous enmity between the Arameans and Israel (11:23-25; 2 Sam 8:3-12; 2 Chr 8:3-4), Ben-hadad and Baasha had established a treaty. Asa understood that the Aramean king’s assistance could be purchased for the right price (1 Kgs 15:20). When God’s prophet Hanani delivered the Lord’s rebuke to Asa for approaching Ben-hadad, Asa react”
- 2 Kings (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Kings 6:24: BEN-HADAD BESIEGES SAMARIA. (Kg2 6:24-33) Ben-hadad . . . besieged Samaria--This was the predicted accomplishment of the result of Ahab's foolish and misplaced kindness (Kg1 20:42).”
- Amos (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Amos 1:4: Hazael . . . Ben-hadad--A black marble obelisk found in the central palace of Nimroud, and now in the British Museum, is inscribed with the names of Hazael and Ben-hadad of Syria, as well as Jehu of Israel, mentioned as tributaries of "Shalmanubar," king of Assyria. The kind of tribute from Jehu is mentioned: gold, pearls, precious oil, &c. [G. V. SMITH]. The Ben-hadad here is the son of Hazael (Kg2 13:3), not the Ben-hadad supplanted and slain by Hazael (Kg2 8:7, Kg2 8:15). The phrase, "I will send a fire," that is, the flame of war (Psa 78:63), occurs a”
- 1 Kings (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Kings 20:32: Thy servant Ben-hadad - See the vicissitude of human affairs! A little before he was the haughtiest of all tyrants, and Ahab calls him his lord; now, so much is he humbled, that he will be glad to be reputed Ahab's slave!”
- 1 Kings (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Kings 20:1: And Benhadad the king of Syria gathered all his host together,.... This was Benhadad the second, the son of that Benhadad, to whom Asa sent to help him against Baasha, Kg1 15:18. and there were thirty and two kings with him; these were heads of families, so called, and at most governors of cities under Benhadad; petty princes, such as were in the land of Canaan in Joshua's time: and horses and chariots; how many is not said: and he went up and besieged Samaria, and warred against it; he went up with such an intent, but had not as yet done it in form; what moved”
- 1 Kings (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Kings 20:1: 20:1 Whether this is Ben-hadad I or II is unclear. • thirty-two allied kings: Confederations of kings were common in the ancient Near East. Shalmaneser III recorded Ben-hadad’s name as Hadad-ezer and reported that he was part of a twelve-king coalition that opposed him in the Battle of Qarqar (853 BC).”