Introduction:
Ben-hadad is a dynastic name attributed to several kings of Aram-Damascus, a powerful kingdom located in present-day Syria. The name "Ben-hadad" means "son of Hadad," with Hadad being the storm and rain god worshiped in the ancient Near East. The Ben-hadads played significant roles in the biblical narrative, particularly in their interactions with the kingdoms of Israel and Judah.

Ben-hadad I:
Ben-hadad I is mentioned in the context of the reign of King Asa of Judah. Asa sought an alliance with Ben-hadad I to counter the threat posed by Baasha, king of Israel. In 1 Kings 15:18-20 , 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. Ben-hadad agreed, attacking cities in Israel and forcing Baasha to withdraw from his fortifications.

Ben-hadad II:
Ben-hadad II is perhaps the most prominent of the Ben-hadads in the biblical record. He reigned during the time of Ahab, king of Israel, and is noted for his military campaigns against Israel. In 1 Kings 20, Ben-hadad II besieged Samaria, demanding the wealth and families of Ahab. However, through divine intervention, the Israelites defeated Ben-hadad's forces twice. In 1 Kings 20:13 , a prophet assured Ahab of victory, saying, "This is what the LORD says: 'Do you see this vast army? Behold, I will deliver it into your hand today, and you will know that I am the LORD.'"

Despite these defeats, Ben-hadad II survived and later formed an alliance with Ahab against the Assyrians at the Battle of Qarqar. However, his relationship with Israel remained tumultuous. In 2 Kings 6-7, Ben-hadad besieged Samaria again, leading to a severe famine. Yet, through a miraculous intervention, the siege was lifted when the Arameans fled, leaving their camp and supplies behind.

Ben-hadad III:
Ben-hadad III, the son of Hazael, succeeded his father as king of Aram. His reign is noted for the weakening of Aram's power, as prophesied by Elisha. In 2 Kings 13:3 , it is recorded, "So the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He delivered them into the hands of Hazael king of Aram and Ben-hadad his son." However, the LORD showed mercy to Israel, and under King Jehoash, the Israelites regained cities previously lost to Ben-hadad III (2 Kings 13:25).

Theological Significance:
The narratives involving the Ben-hadads highlight the sovereignty of God over the nations and His ability to use foreign powers to accomplish His purposes. The interactions between the kings of Aram and Israel demonstrate the consequences of disobedience and the mercy of God in delivering His people despite their unfaithfulness. The accounts also underscore the importance of seeking divine guidance and the futility of relying solely on human alliances and strength.

Historical Context:
The Aramean kingdom, with its capital in Damascus, was a significant regional power during the Iron Age. The Ben-hadads' interactions with Israel reflect the complex political and military landscape of the ancient Near East, where shifting alliances and conflicts were common. The biblical accounts of the Ben-hadads provide valuable insights into the geopolitical dynamics of the time and the role of prophetic voices in guiding the kings of Israel.

How Hadad King of Damascus and of Syria, Made Two Expeditions ...
... 1. When the affairs of Ahab were thus, at that very time the son of Hadad, [Benhadad,]
who was king of the Syrians and of Damascus, got together an army out of ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 14 how hadad king.htm

The Sin of Unbelief
... marvelous defeat of Moab; he had been startled at tidings of the resurrection of
the Shunamite's son; he knew that Elisha had revealed Benhadad's secrets and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the sin of unbelief.htm

Naaman's Wrath
... He was the commander-in-chief of the army of Damascus, high in favour at Ben-hadad's
court; his reputation and renown were on every tongue, but he was a leper. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/naamans wrath.htm

The Story of Hazael
... and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels'
burden, and came and stood before him, and said, Thy son Ben-hadad king of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the story of hazael.htm

Temptations.
... to the law. I thought also of Benhadad's servants, who went with ropes
upon their heads to their enemies for mercy. The woman of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xv temptations.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... Mari had been succeeded by a certain Ben-hadad, also a son of Hazael,* and possibly
this change of kings was accompanied by one of those revolutions which had ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7. <. ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ;
... 2dly. [Consider] that of Ahab, when Benhadad sent to him for life, saying ... Is Benhadad
yet alive? saith Ahab; He is my brother; yea, go ye, bring him to me. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/come and welcome to jesus.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... of Solomon, and the repeated changes of dynasty in Israel"Asa and Baasha"The kingdom
of Damascus and its origin"Bezon, Tabrimmon, Benhadad I.--- Omri and ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners Or, a Brief Relation of ...
Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners. <. ...
/.../bunyan/grace abounding to the chief of sinners/grace abounding to the chief.htm

Ben-hadad's (2 Occurrences)
Ben-hadad's. Ben-ha'dad, Ben-hadad's. Benhail . Multi-Version
Concordance Ben-hadad's (2 Occurrences). 1 Kings 20:9 ...
/b/ben-hadad's.htm - 7k

Ben-ha'dad (26 Occurrences)
... Ben-hadad, Ben-ha'dad. Ben-hadad's . ... 1 Kings 20:2 He sent messengers to Ahab
king of Israel, into the city, and said to him, "Thus says BenHadad, (See RSV) ...
/b/ben-ha'dad.htm - 14k

Wet (25 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 8:15 Now on the day after, Hazael took the bed-cover, and making it wet
with water, put it over Ben-hadad's face, causing his death: and Hazael became ...
/w/wet.htm - 15k

Treaty (25 Occurrences)
... with Hiram, king of Tyre (1 Kings 5:15); Asa, to rid himself of the hostile approaches
of Baasha, king of Israel, entered into a league with Ben-hadad of Syria ...
/t/treaty.htm - 16k

Bed-cover (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Kings 8:15 Now on the day after, Hazael took the bed-cover, and making it wet
with water, put it over Ben-hadad's face, causing his death: and Hazael became ...
/b/bed-cover.htm - 6k

Benhail (1 Occurrence)

/b/benhail.htm - 7k

Hazael (23 Occurrences)
... 13:25 Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz took again out of the hand of Benhadad the son ...
a fire into the house of Hazael, and it will devour the palaces of BenHadad. ...
/h/hazael.htm - 23k

Kingdom (409 Occurrences)
... He defeated a Syrian coalition in two campaigns (1 Kings 20) and imposed on
Ben-hadad the same conditions which the latter had imposed on Omri. ...
/k/kingdom.htm - 101k

Benhadad (24 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BENHADAD. ...Benhadad seems to have become a general
designation for the kings of Syria (Amos 1:4 Jeremiah 49:27). ...
/b/benhadad.htm - 28k

Elisha (70 Occurrences)
... came no more into the land of Israel, and 6:24 proceeds to give an account of
Ben-hadad's invasion and ... He proceeds north to Damascus and finds Benhadad sick. ...
/e/elisha.htm - 61k

Who was Ben-Hadad in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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