Lives of Scripture

Ben-hadad, son of Tabrimmon, ruled Aram from Damascus during Israel's divided-monarchy wars, appearing across the reigns of Asa, Baasha, and Ahab (many scholars think "Ben-hadad" names father and son bearing a shared dynastic title, not one long-reigning man -- see note). Judah's King Asa bribed him with temple treasure to break his alliance with Baasha and attack Israel instead (1 Kings 15:18-20; 2 Chronicles 16:2-7) -- a move the prophet Hanani condemned as trusting Aram instead of the LORD. Later, besieging Samaria with thirty-two allied kings, Ben-hadad arrogantly demanded Ahab's wives and children, then, boasting drunk in his tent, was routed by a small Israelite force; the next year he returned with a valley army, confident Israel's God only ruled hills, and was crushed again (1 Kings 20). Ahab spared him and made a covenant, drawing a prophet's rebuke for releasing a man devoted to destruction. Ben-hadad's officers later hunted Elisha for exposing his battle plans, only for God to blind the search party and for Elisha to feed and release them (2 Kings 6:8-23); he then besieged Samaria himself, starving the city (6:24). Finally, sick in Damascus, he sent his servant Hazael to ask Elisha whether he would recover -- not knowing Hazael would soon smother him and seize his throne (2 Kings 8:7-9).