The alliance with Aram, also known as Syria, is a significant topic in the historical and theological narrative of the Old Testament. Aram was a powerful kingdom located to the northeast of Israel, with its capital in Damascus. Throughout the biblical narrative, the relationship between Israel and Aram fluctuated between hostility and alliance, often reflecting the spiritual state and political strategies of the Israelite kings.

Historical Context

The kingdom of Aram is frequently mentioned in the context of the divided monarchy period, particularly during the reigns of the kings of Israel and Judah. The Arameans were a Semitic people, and their interactions with Israel were marked by both conflict and cooperation. The political landscape of the ancient Near East was complex, with shifting alliances and frequent warfare.

Key Biblical Accounts

1. King Asa of Judah: One of the earliest recorded alliances with Aram is found during the reign of King Asa of Judah. Facing aggression from Baasha, king of Israel, Asa sought the help of Ben-Hadad I, king of Aram. Asa sent silver and gold from the treasuries of the LORD's temple and the royal palace to Ben-Hadad, asking him to break his treaty with Baasha and support Judah instead. The alliance was successful in relieving the pressure from Israel, as recorded in 1 Kings 15:18-20 : "Then Asa took all the silver and gold that was left in the treasuries of the house of the LORD and the royal palace, and he sent it with his servants to Ben-Hadad son of Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion, the king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus. 'Let there be a treaty between me and you,' he said, 'as there was between my father and your father. See, I have sent you a gift of silver and gold. Now break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, so that he will withdraw from me.'"

2. King Ahab of Israel: Another significant alliance occurred during the reign of King Ahab of Israel. Ahab formed an alliance with Ben-Hadad II, king of Aram, to fight against the Assyrian threat. This alliance is noted for its political expediency rather than spiritual fidelity, as Ahab was known for his idolatry and departure from the ways of the LORD. The alliance is mentioned in 1 Kings 20, where Ahab's interactions with Ben-Hadad are detailed.

3. King Ahaz of Judah: In a later period, King Ahaz of Judah sought an alliance with Tiglath-Pileser III of Assyria to counter the threat from Rezin, king of Aram, and Pekah, king of Israel. This decision is recorded in 2 Kings 16:7-9 : "So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria, saying, 'I am your servant and your vassal. Come up and save me out of the hand of the king of Aram and of the king of Israel, who are rising up against me.'"

Theological Implications

The alliances with Aram highlight the tension between political pragmatism and spiritual fidelity. The kings of Israel and Judah often relied on foreign alliances rather than trusting in the LORD for deliverance. This reliance on human strength and political maneuvering is frequently criticized by the prophets, who called the people back to faithfulness to God. The alliances with Aram serve as a reminder of the dangers of compromising spiritual integrity for political gain.

Prophetic Critique

The prophets, such as Isaiah and Hosea, often spoke against the reliance on foreign alliances, urging the people to trust in the LORD. Isaiah 7:4-9 records the prophet's message to Ahaz, warning him not to fear the alliance between Aram and Israel: "Say to him: Calm down and be quiet. Do not be afraid or disheartened over these two smoldering stubs of firewood—over the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah."

The alliances with Aram, therefore, serve as a critical point of reflection on the faithfulness of God's people and their leaders. The biblical narrative consistently emphasizes the importance of reliance on God rather than on human alliances, a theme that resonates throughout the Scriptures.