Topical Bible: Murder: Hazael

◄ Murder: Hazael ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Hazael, a significant figure in the Old Testament, is primarily known for his role as the king of Aram (Syria) and his interactions with the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. His account is intertwined with themes of prophecy, ambition, and violence, including acts of murder that fulfill divine judgment.

Background and Rise to Power

Hazael's rise to power is prophetically significant. He first appears in the biblical narrative in 1 Kings 19:15-17, where God instructs the prophet Elijah to anoint Hazael as king over Aram. This anointing is part of God's plan to bring judgment upon Israel for its idolatry and disobedience. The fulfillment of this prophecy is detailed in 2 Kings 8:7-15, where Hazael visits the prophet Elisha, who is in Damascus. Elisha weeps upon foreseeing the destruction Hazael will bring to Israel, and he tells Hazael, "The LORD has shown me that you will become king over Aram" (2 Kings 8:13).

Hazael's ascent to the throne involves an act of murder. After Elisha's prophecy, Hazael returns to Ben-Hadad, the then-king of Aram, who is ill. Hazael tells the king that he will recover, but the next day, he suffocates Ben-Hadad with a wet cloth, thus seizing the throne for himself (2 Kings 8:15).

Hazael's Campaigns Against Israel and Judah

As king, Hazael becomes a formidable adversary to Israel and Judah. His military campaigns are marked by brutality and fulfill the prophetic words spoken by Elisha. In 2 Kings 10:32-33, Hazael oppresses Israel throughout the reign of Jehu, capturing territories east of the Jordan River. His aggression is further noted in 2 Kings 12:17, where he attacks Gath and sets his sights on Jerusalem, prompting King Jehoash of Judah to offer tribute to avert an attack.

The violence and destruction wrought by Hazael are seen as instruments of divine judgment against Israel. In 2 Kings 13:3, the LORD's anger is kindled against Israel, and He delivers them into the hands of Hazael and his son Ben-Hadad. This period of oppression continues until the LORD shows compassion and delivers Israel from Aram's grip (2 Kings 13:22-25).

Legacy and Prophetic Fulfillment

Hazael's reign is a testament to the fulfillment of divine prophecy and the sovereignty of God over the nations. His actions, though violent and ruthless, serve as a means of executing God's judgment on Israel for its unfaithfulness. The narrative of Hazael underscores the biblical theme that God can use even the ambitions and violence of pagan kings to accomplish His purposes.

Hazael's legacy is also marked by the continuation of his dynasty through his son, Ben-Hadad III, who succeeds him as king of Aram. The cyclical nature of conflict between Aram and Israel during this period highlights the ongoing struggle and the eventual deliverance of Israel by God's hand.

In summary, Hazael's account is a complex interplay of prophecy, ambition, and divine judgment, with his acts of murder and warfare serving as pivotal elements in the biblical narrative of Israel's history.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 8:12,15
And Hazael said, Why weeps my lord? And he answered, Because I know the evil that you will do to the children of Israel: their strong holds will you set on fire, and their young men will you slay with the sword, and will dash their children, and rip up their women with child.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Hazael
... the sickness; nevertheless, he will die, and I see you filling a throne won by murder,
and I ... Then Hazael gave the answer which stands at the head of this paper ...
//christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/hazael.htm

Book 9 Footnotes
... here called by this name, I suppose, because he had now also himself sent an officer
to murder him; yet ... [12] Since Elijah did not live to anoint Hazael king of ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 9 footnotes.htm

The Kingdom of Samaria.
... to Ahab, and that was to rebuke him for having permitted the murder of a ... Elisha had
already wept at the fore-knowledge of the miseries which Hazael of Syria ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson viii the kingdom of.htm

The Nations of the North-East
... The murder of Joab, and the unwarlike character and extravagance of Solomon, brought
about its downfall ... In BC842 he was murdered by Hazael, who seized the throne ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iv the nations of.htm

Book 5 Footnotes
... from this Hadad, in the days of David, to the beginning of Hazael, were near ... Joab's
murder of Abner and Amasa were very barbarous, and could not properly be ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 5 footnotes.htm

Babylonia and Assyria
... But the opportunity was lost; the murder of Joab and the unwarlike character of ...
Ben-Hadad and Hazael, it is true, were beaten again and again along with their ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.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

Persecution Every Christian's Lot
... Examine Church History in after-ages, and you will find the murder of the innocents ...
Perhaps some of you, like Hazael, may say, "Are we dogs, that we should do ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/persecution every christians lot.htm

Paul's Departure and Crown;
... Word of God; they are also always so far forth in readiness to murder and slaughter ...
had brought his work to that issue that he had but to anoint Hazael to be ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/pauls departure and crown.htm

Presumptuous Sins
... were tempted, conscience said, "It is wrong, it is wrong""it shouted murder in your ...
thy servant a dog, that I should do this thing?" So said Hazael, when the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/presumptuous sins.htm