King of Aram, besieged Samaria, contemporary of Elisha.
Ben-hadad
Named in 3 verses of 2 Kings, first in 2 Kings 6:24.
בֶּן־הֲדַדBen-hadad
- People
- Syria
About Ben-hadad Written by AI
Ben-hadad II was the king of Aram (Syria) during the time of the prophet Elisha and King Joram of Israel. In 2 Kings 6:24, Ben-hadad II besieges Samaria, causing a severe famine in the city. The siege is lifted when the Lord causes the Aramean army to hear the sound of a great army, leading them to flee in fear and leave behind their provisions (2 Kings 7:6 to 7). Later, in 2 Kings 8:7 to 9, Ben-hadad II becomes ill and sends his servant Hazael to inquire of Elisha whether he will recover. Elisha prophesies that Ben-hadad will die and that Hazael will become king in his place. Hazael returns to Ben-hadad, telling him that he will recover, but the next day he takes a cloth, soaks it in water, and spreads it over Ben-hadad's face, causing his death. Hazael then succeeds him as king of Aram (2 Kings 8:15). Ben-hadad II's reign was marked by his military campaigns against Israel and his interaction with the prophet Elisha, whose prophecies and miracles had a significant impact on the political events of the time.
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).
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(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.
Where the Bible names him
- 2 Kings 6:24
Some time later, Ben-hadad king of Aram assembled his entire army and marched up to besiege Samaria.
- 2 Kings 8:7
Then Elisha came to Damascus while Ben-hadad king of Aram was sick, and the king was told, “The man of God has come here.”
- 2 Kings 8:9
So Hazael went to meet Elisha, taking with him a gift of forty camel loads of every good thing from Damascus. And he went in and stood before him and said, “Your son Ben-hadad king of Aram has sent me to ask, ‘Will I recover from this illness?’”
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.