Ben-hadad בֶּן־הֲדַד
King of Aram, contemporary of Asa and Baasha.
Biography
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 1Ki.15.18-20 and 2Ch.16.2-4, 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 1 Kings 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. Jer.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.
Family
In Scripture
3 biblical books ; 1 with study content1 Kings 5 verses
- 1 Kings 15:18
"Then Asa took all the silver and the gold that was left in the treasures of Yahweh’s house, and the treasures of the king’s house, and delivered it into the hand of his servants. Then King Asa sent them to Ben Hadad, the son of Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, who..."
- 1 Kings 15:20
"Ben Hadad listened to king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel, and struck Ijon, and Dan, and Abel Beth Maacah, and all Chinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali."
- 1 Kings 20:1
"Ben Hadad the king of Syria gathered all his army together; and there were thirty-two kings with him, with horses and chariots. He went up and besieged Samaria, and fought against it."
- 1 Kings 20:2
"He sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel, into the city, and said to him, “Ben Hadad says,"
- 1 Kings 20:5
"The messengers came again, and said, “Ben Hadad says, ‘I sent indeed to you, saying, “You shall deliver me your silver, and your gold, and your wives, and your children;"
2 Chronicles 2 verses
- 2 Chronicles 16:2
"Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of Yahweh’s house and of the king’s house, and sent to Ben Hadad king of Syria, who lived at Damascus, saying,"
- 2 Chronicles 16:4
"Ben Hadad listened to king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel; and they struck Ijon, Dan, Abel Maim, and all the storage cities of Naphtali."
Jeremiah 1 verse
- Jeremiah 49:27
"“I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it will devour the palaces of Ben Hadad.”"
Study Jeremiah →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | בֶּן־הֲדַד | H1130G |