Atomic Bible

King of Aram, contemporary of Asa and Baasha.

Ben-hadad

Named in 17 verses across 3 books, first in 1 Kings 15:18.

בֶּן־הֲדַדBen-hadad

Father
Tabrimmon
People
Syria

About Ben-hadad Written by AI

Ben-hadad I was the king of Aram (Syria) during the reigns of Asa, king of Judah, and Baasha, king of Israel. He is first mentioned in 1 Kings 15:18 to 20 and 2 Chronicles 16:2 to 4, where Asa sends him a gift of silver and gold from the temple treasuries to persuade him to break his treaty with Baasha and attack Israel. Ben-hadad I agrees and conquers several cities in northern Israel, forcing Baasha to abandon his fortification project at Ramah. Later, in 1Kings 20, Ben-hadad I leads a coalition of thirty-two kings against Ahab, king of Israel. Despite his initial confidence, Ben-hadad I is defeated twice by Ahab, who is guided by prophetic advice. After his second defeat, Ben-hadad I humbles himself before Ahab, who spares his life and makes a treaty with him. The prophet condemns Ahab for this decision, as Ben-hadad I was to be destroyed. Jeremiah 49:27 mentions the "wall of Damascus," likely referring to Ben-hadad's capital city, in a prophecy of judgment against Aram. Ben-hadad I's reign was marked by his military campaigns against Israel and his diplomatic interactions with Judah, shaping the political landscape of the region.

Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.

Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897

This entry is on the name Ben-hadad, and may cover more than one person or place by that name.

The standing title of the Syrian kings, meaning “the son of Hadad.” (See HADADEZER.)

(1.) The king of Syria whom Asa, king of Judah, employed to invade Israel (1 Kings 15:18).

Read the rest of the entry

(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).

M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.

GenesisMatthewRevelation

Where the Bible names him

  1. 1 Kings 15:18

    So Asa withdrew all the silver and gold that remained in the treasuries of the house of the LORD and the royal palace. He entrusted it to his servants and sent them with this message to Ben-hadad son of Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion, the king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus:

  2. 1 Kings 15:20

    And Ben-hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel, conquering Ijon, Dan, Abel-beth-maacah, and the whole land of Naphtali, including the region of Chinnereth.

  3. 1 Kings 20:1

    Now Ben-hadad king of Aram assembled his entire army. Accompanied by thirty-two kings with their horses and chariots, he marched up, besieged Samaria, and waged war against it.

  4. 1 Kings 20:2

    Then he sent messengers into the city to Ahab king of Israel,

  5. 1 Kings 20:5

    The messengers came back and said, “This is what Ben-hadad says: ‘I have sent to you to demand your silver, your gold, your wives, and your children.

  6. 1 Kings 20:9

    So Ahab answered the messengers of Ben-hadad, “Tell my lord the king, ‘All that you demanded of your servant the first time I will do, but this thing I cannot do.’” So the messengers departed and relayed the message to Ben-hadad.

  7. 1 Kings 20:10

    Then Ben-hadad sent another message to Ahab: “May the gods deal with me, and ever so severely, if enough dust remains of Samaria for each of my men to have a handful.”

  8. 1 Kings 20:16

    They marched out at noon while Ben-hadad and the 32 kings allied with him were in their tents getting drunk.

  9. 1 Kings 20:17

    And the young officers of the district governors marched out first. Now Ben-hadad had sent out scouts, who reported to him, “Men are marching out of Samaria.”

  10. 1 Kings 20:20

    and each one struck down his opponent. So the Arameans fled, with the Israelites in pursuit. But Ben-hadad king of Aram escaped on horseback with the cavalry.

  11. 1 Kings 20:26

    In the spring, Ben-hadad mobilized the Arameans and went up to Aphek to fight against Israel.

  12. 1 Kings 20:30

    The rest of them fled into the city of Aphek, where the wall fell on twenty-seven thousand of the remaining men. Ben-hadad also fled to the city and hid in an inner room.

  13. 1 Kings 20:32

    So with sackcloth around their waists and ropes around their heads, they went to the king of Israel and said, “Your servant Ben-hadad says, ‘Please spare my life.’” And the king answered, “Is he still alive? He is my brother.”

  14. 1 Kings 20:33

    Now the men were looking for a sign of hope, and they quickly grasped at this word and replied, “Yes, your brother Ben-hadad.” “Go and get him!” said the king. Then Ben-hadad came out, and Ahab had him come up into his chariot.

  15. 2 Chronicles 16:2

    So Asa withdrew the silver and gold from the treasuries of the house of the LORD and the royal palace, and he sent it with this message to Ben-hadad king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus:

  16. 2 Chronicles 16:4

    And Ben-hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel, conquering Ijon, Dan, Abel-maim, and all the store cities of Naphtali.

  17. Jeremiah 49:27

    “I will set fire to the walls of Damascus; it will consume the fortresses of Ben-hadad.”

From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.