Introduction

Bribery, the act of giving or receiving something of value in exchange for influence or action, is a recurring theme in the Bible, often depicted as a corrupt and sinful practice. One notable biblical account involving bribery is the account of Ben-Hadad, the king of Aram (Syria), whose interactions with the kings of Israel illustrate the moral and spiritual pitfalls associated with this practice.

Ben-Hadad and Ahab

The narrative of Ben-Hadad's dealings with Israel is primarily found in 1 Kings 20. Ben-Hadad, along with thirty-two other kings, besieged Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, during the reign of King Ahab. Initially, Ben-Hadad demanded Ahab's silver, gold, wives, and children, to which Ahab consented. However, when Ben-Hadad's demands escalated to include the plundering of Ahab's palace and the homes of his officials, Ahab refused.

In response, Ben-Hadad prepared to attack Samaria. Despite the overwhelming odds, a prophet of the LORD assured Ahab of victory, saying, "This is what the LORD says: ‘Do you see this vast army? I will give it into your hand today, and then you will know that I am the LORD’" (1 Kings 20:13). Ahab's forces, though vastly outnumbered, defeated Ben-Hadad's army, demonstrating God's power and sovereignty.

Bribery and Manipulation

After his defeat, Ben-Hadad attempted to manipulate the situation through bribery and deceit. In a subsequent encounter, Ben-Hadad's officials advised him to offer favorable terms to Ahab, suggesting that the kings of Israel were merciful. Ben-Hadad sent messengers to Ahab, offering to return the cities his father had taken and to allow Ahab to set up markets in Damascus, as his father had done in Samaria. Ahab, swayed by the offer, made a treaty with Ben-Hadad and let him go free (1 Kings 20:34).

This act of bribery and the resulting treaty were contrary to God's command. A prophet later rebuked Ahab for sparing Ben-Hadad, declaring, "This is what the LORD says: ‘Because you have set free the man I had determined should die, your life will be for his life, and your people for his people’" (1 Kings 20:42). Ahab's acceptance of Ben-Hadad's bribe led to his downfall, illustrating the destructive consequences of compromising God's commands for personal gain.

Ben-Hadad and Elisha

The theme of bribery continues in the account of Ben-Hadad's interactions with the prophet Elisha. In 2 Kings 8, Ben-Hadad, who was ill, sent Hazael, one of his officials, to inquire of Elisha whether he would recover. Hazael brought a lavish gift, forty camel loads of goods, to bribe Elisha for a favorable prophecy. Elisha, however, saw through the bribe and foretold that Ben-Hadad would die and that Hazael would become king of Aram (2 Kings 8:9-13).

This episode highlights the futility of attempting to manipulate God's will through bribery. Despite the lavish gifts, God's plan unfolded as Elisha had prophesied. Hazael later assassinated Ben-Hadad and seized the throne, fulfilling Elisha's prophecy and demonstrating that God's purposes cannot be thwarted by human schemes.

Conclusion

The accounts of Ben-Hadad in the Bible serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers and moral corruption associated with bribery. Through his interactions with the kings of Israel and the prophet Elisha, the narrative underscores the importance of integrity, obedience to God's commands, and the ultimate futility of attempting to subvert divine will through corrupt means.1 Kings 15:19
There is a league between me and you, and between my father and your father: behold, I have sent to you a present of silver and gold; come and break your league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.
Nave's Topical Index

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