Lives of Scripture
Aram
Also called: Syria
First named: 2 Samuel 8:5
The Aramean kingdom centered on Damascus, a recurring military rival of Israel and Judah throughout the monarchy period. David subdued Aramean forces allied against him (2 Samuel 8:5-6; 10), and later kings like Ben-hadad and Hazael repeatedly warred with Israel — Naaman, an Aramean army commander healed of leprosy through Elisha, being a notable exception to the hostility (2 Kings 5).
References: 2 Samuel 8:5; 1 Kings 20; 2 Kings 5; 2 Kings 8:7-15
People connected to Aram
- Ben-hadad (M) — a king of this land, who warred with and besieged Israel
1 Kings 20:1
- Ben-hadad (M) — Hazael's son and its king, from whom Israel recovered lost towns
2 Kings 13:24-25
- Hadadezer (M) — king of Zobah in this region, defeated by David toward the Euphrates
2 Samuel 8:3
- Hazael (M) — anointed at God's word to be its king, and a long oppressor of Israel
1 Kings 19:15; 2 Kings 8:12-15
- Naaman (M) — commander of this land's army, healed of leprosy by Elisha in Israel
2 Kings 5:1-14
- Rezin (M) — its king, who allied with Israel against Judah before Assyria killed him
2 Kings 16:5-9