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King Ben-Hadad's Invasion of Israel Under King Jehoram

King Jehoram, son of Ahab, began his twelve-year reign over Israel in Samaria during the eighteenth year of King Jehoshaphat's rule in Judah [1, 2, 3, 4]. This period, approximately 896-884 BC, saw continued close alliance between the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, a relationship initiated by their fathers, Ahab and Jehoshaphat [3]. Jehoram's reign was marked by significant military engagements, including conflicts with Moab and, notably, repeated incursions and a major siege by Ben-hadad, king of Syria [3, 4, 11, 14].

The name "Ben-hadad" was a standing title for Syrian kings, meaning "son of Hadad" [5]. Several kings bore this name, and the specific Ben-hadad involved in the invasion of Israel under Jehoram is identified as the one who was long engaged in war against Israel and was later murdered by Hazael [5]. This Ben-hadad is distinct from an earlier Syrian king of the same name whom King Asa of Judah employed against Israel, and also from a later Ben-hadad, son of Hazael, who came to the throne around 802 BC [5, 7, 9, 10, 12].

Early in his reign, Jehoram faced the rebellion of Moab, which had asserted its independence during the reign of his brother Ahaziah [4]. Jehoram, seeking to quell this rebellion, enlisted the aid of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, and the king of Edom [3, 13]. This alliance led to a joint military expedition against Moab, during which the allied armies faced severe water shortages [3]. Jehoshaphat's piety prompted an inquiry to the prophet Elisha, who, despite reproving Jehoram, provided a miraculous supply of water for the armies [3].

The relationship between Israel and the Arameans (Syrians) during Jehoram's reign was characterized by strained relations and frequent incursions by Aramean raiders into the northern kingdom [14]. These smaller-scale attacks escalated into a full-blown siege of Samaria, the capital of Israel, by Ben-hadad and his entire host [11]. This siege followed an incident where Elisha had supernaturally led a Syrian raiding party into Samaria, where Jehoram was prevented from killing them and instead, at Elisha's instruction, provided them with food and drink before sending them back to their master [11]. John Gill notes that Ben-hadad, "still retaining a grudge and enmity against Israel," was not softened by this humane treatment and, finding his covert operations ineffective, gathered his forces for open warfare [11].

The siege of Samaria by Ben-hadad was severe, leading to extreme famine within the city [11]. The biblical account in 2 Kings 6-7 describes the dire conditions, including instances of cannibalism, which prompted King Jehoram to blame Elisha for the suffering [2 Kings 6:24-30]. Elisha, however, prophesied a miraculous end to the famine and the siege within twenty-four hours [2 Kings 7:1]. This prophecy was fulfilled when the Syrian army, hearing a divinely orchestrated sound of chariots and horses, fled in panic, leaving behind their camp and provisions [2 Kings 7:6-7]. The Israelites then plundered the abandoned Syrian camp, bringing an end to the famine [2 Kings 7:8-16].

The conflicts with Ben-hadad and the Arameans were a recurring feature of this period. The Tyndale House commentary on 2 Kings notes that these strained relations led to various incursions [14]. The prophet Amos later refers to the misfortunes in war experienced by a Ben-hadad, likely the son and successor of Hazael, who carried out cruelties against the Israelites [5, 17]. Adam Clarke points out that the "fire threatened" in Amos 1:4 refers to the successful war carried out against the Syrians by Jeroboam II, who reconquered ancient Israelite possessions [17]. This later conflict, however, occurred after the reign of Jehoram and involved a different Ben-hadad, the son of Hazael [5, 12, 17].

Jehoram's reign is also notable for the presence and influence of the prophet Elisha, who played a significant role in advising the king and intervening in the conflicts with Syria [3]. Elisha's actions, such as the miraculous provision of water during the Moabite campaign and his prophecies during the Syrian siege, underscore the theological perspective that divine intervention was active in the affairs of Israel during this tumultuous period [3].

The historical context of Jehoram's reign places it within the Divided Monarchy period, a time of frequent warfare and political instability for both Israel and Judah [7, 8]. Jehoram of Israel is distinct from Jehoram, king of Judah, who also reigned during this period and had a similar name [6, 8, 15]. Flavius Josephus notes the wickedness of Jehoram, king of Jerusalem, who shared the same name as the king of Israel [6]. The synchronisms between the reigns of the kings of Israel and Judah, such as Jehoram of Israel beginning his reign in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat of Judah, are carefully noted in the biblical texts and commentaries [1, 2, 16]. Some scholars suggest a co-regency for Jehoram of Judah with his father Jehoshaphat to reconcile chronological data [15, 16].

The repeated invasions by Ben-hadad and the Syrians highlight the persistent external threats faced by the northern kingdom of Israel. These conflicts were not merely political or military but were often interpreted through a theological lens, with prophetic figures like Elisha playing a crucial role in understanding and responding to these events [3, 11]. The narrative of Ben-hadad's siege of Samaria and its miraculous lifting serves as a significant example of divine intervention in the face of overwhelming odds.

Sources

  1. II Kings “II Kings 3:1 (YLT) — And Jehoram son of Ahab hath reigned over Israel, in Samaria, in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and he reigneth twelve years,”
  2. 2 Kings “Now Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned twelve years. -- 2 Kings 3:1”
  3. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Jehoram — (whom Jehovah has exalted). + Son of Ahab king of Israel, who succeeded his brother Ahaziah B.C. 896, and died B.C. 884. The alliance between the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, commenced by his father and Jehoshaphat, was very close throughout his reign. We first find him associated with Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom in a war against the Moabites. The three armies were in the utmost danger of perishing for want of water. The piety of Jehoshaphat suggested an inquiry of Jehovah, thorough Elisha. After reproving Jehoram, Elisha, for Jehoshaphat's sake, inqui”
  4. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Jehoram — Jehovah-exalted. (1.) Son of Toi, king of Hamath, sent by his father to congratulate David on the occasion of his victory over Hadadezer (2 Sam. 8:10). (2.) A Levite of the family of Gershom (1 Chr. 26:25). (3.) A priest sent by Jehoshaphat to instructruct the people in Judah (2 Chr. 17:8). (4.) The son of Ahab and Jezebel, and successor to his brother Ahaziah on the throne of Israel. He reigned twelve years, B.C. 896-884 (2 Kings 1:17; 3:1). His first work was to reduce to subjection the Moabites, who had asserted their independence in the reign of his bro”
  5. 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).”
  6. Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 5, section 1: . Concerning The Wickedness Of Jehoram King Of Jerusalem; His Defeat And Death. 1. Now Jehoram the king of Jerusalem, for we have said before that he had the same name with the king of Israel, as soon as he had taken the government upon him, betook himself to the slaughter of his brethren, and his father's friends, who were governors under him, and thence made a beginning and a demonstration of his wickedness; nor was he at all better than those kings of Israel who at first transgressed against the laws of their country, and of t”
  7. STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=H1130G — King living at the time of Divided Monarchy (refs: #A King of Aram living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.15.18; <br>only refer)”
  8. STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=H3088G — King living at the time of Divided Monarchy (refs: #A king of Judah living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.22.50; <br>referred )”
  9. STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=H1130H — King living at the time of Divided Monarchy (refs: #A King of Aram living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Ki.6.24; <br>only referr)”
  10. 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)”
  11. 2 Kings (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Kings 6:22: And it came to pass after this, that Benhadad king of Syria gathered all his host,.... Still retaining a grudge and enmity against Israel, and not at all softened by the kind and humane treatment his forces had met with, when in the hands of Israel; and finding he could do nothing in a secret way, by ambush, mustered all his forces together, to try what he could by open war: and went up, and besieged Samaria; Jehoram king of Israel not being able to stop him till he came to his capital, which he laid close siege to.”
  12. 2 Kings (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Kings 13:24: 13:24-25 Ben-hadad son of Hazael came to the throne of Aram in Damascus in 802 BC, reigning twenty-two years in a declining kingdom. • Adad-nirari III of Assyria inflicted heavy losses against the Arameans (805–802 BC), allowing King Jehoash of Israel to further decimate this enemy. Fulfilling Elisha’s prophecy, Israel defeated Ben-hadad on three occasions and so recovered the Israelite towns. Jehoash’s limited success provided a springboard for Jeroboam II’s full-scale victories over the Arameans (14:25).”
  13. 2 Kings (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Kings 3:6: Jehoram has no sooner got the sceptre into his hand than he takes the sword into his hand, to reduce Moab. Crowns bring great cares and perils to the heads that wear them; no sooner in honour than in war. Now here we have, I. The concerting of this expedition between Jehoram king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah. Jehoram levied an army (Kg2 3:6), and such an opinion he had of the godly king of Judah that, 1. He courted him to be his confederate: Wilt thou go with me against Moab? And he gained him. Jehoshaphat said, I will go up. I am as thou art, Kg2 3:7. ”
  14. 2 Kings (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Kings 5:2: 5:2-3 During Joram’s reign, strained relations between Israel and the Arameans led to incursions by Aramean raiders into the northern kingdom (see 6:8, 24).”
  15. 2 Kings (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Kings 8:17: 8:17 Jehoram reigned from 853 to 841 BC, including a five-year co-regency with his father, Jehoshaphat.”
  16. 2 Kings (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Kings 3 (introduction): JEHORAM'S EVIL REIGN OVER ISRAEL. (Kg2 3:1-3) Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat--(compare Kg1 22:51). To reconcile the statements in the two passages, we must suppose that Ahaziah, having reigned during the seventeenth and the greater part of the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat, was succeeded by his brother Joram or Jehoram, in the end of that eighteenth year, or else that Ahaziah, having reigned two years in conjunction with his father, died at the end of that period when Jeho”
  17. Amos (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Amos 1:4: Ben-hadad - He was son and successor of Hazael. See the cruelties which they exercised upon the Israelites, Kg2 10:32; Kg2 13:7, etc., and see especially Kg2 8:12, where these cruelties are predicted. The fire threatened here is the war so successfully carried on against the Syrians by Jeroboam II., in which he took Damascus and Hamath, and reconquered all the ancient possessions of Israel. See Kg2 14:25, Kg2 14:26, Kg2 14:28.”
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