Who was Ben-Hadad in the Bible?
Ben-Hadad was the name of several kings who ruled over the ancient kingdom of Aram (modern-day Syria) during the time of the divided monarchy in Israel. The name Ben-Hadad means “son of Hadad”, with Hadad being the name of the storm and rain god worshipped in ancient Syria. There are three Ben-Hadads mentioned in the Bible:
Ben-Hadad I
The first Ben-Hadad is initially unnamed in the Bible but later called Ben-Hadad I. He was likely the son of Tabrimmon and grandson of Hezion, who are also kings of Aram mentioned in 1 Kings 15:18. Ben-Hadad I ruled from the Aramean capital of Damascus sometime in the early 9th century BC, during the reigns of Baasha, king of Israel, and Asa, king of Judah (1 Kings 15:18-20).
Ben-Hadad I formed a coalition with Asa, king of Judah, to try to overthrow Baasha and halt his building of the fortress Ramah on the border between Israel and Judah. Ben-Hadad I agreed to break his treaty with Baasha and invade northern Israel, forcing Baasha to withdraw from Ramah. Asa used this opportunity to tear down Ramah and use its building materials to fortify Geba and Mizpah, cities under Judah’s control (1 Kings 15:16-22).
However, the prophet Hanani condemned Asa for relying on the king of Aram rather than on the Lord when threatened by Baasha (2 Chronicles 16:7-9). So while the alliance allowed Asa to halt Baasha’s aggression against Judah, it was done without seeking the Lord’s help.
Ben-Hadad II
The second Ben-Hadad, called Ben-Hadad II, was likely the son and successor of Ben-Hadad I. He ruled Aram during the reigns of Ahab, Ahaziah, and Joram, kings of Israel. Ben-Hadad II is called simply “king of Syria” or “king of Aram” in many passages before his name is specified as Ben-Hadad in 1 Kings 20.
Ben-Hadad II went to war against Israel during Ahab’s reign. He gathered 32 allied kings and besieged Samaria, demanding Ahab’s silver, gold, wives, and children. Ahab initially agreed to the demands, but gathered the elders of Israel who told him not to submit. The prophet told Ahab that the Lord would deliver Ben-Hadad II into his hand that day. Ahab mustered 7,000 Israelite troops who defeated Ben-Hadad II’s army, though Ben-Hadad II escaped on a horse (1 Kings 20:1-21).
The following year, Ben-Hadad II regrouped his army and again sought battle with Israel. The Lord told Ahab through a prophet that Aram would be defeated again. After being defeated, Ben-Hadad II begged Ahab for mercy, so Ahab made a treaty with him and let him go free (1 Kings 20:22-34). However, a prophet told Ahab that his life would be taken in place of Ben-Hadad II’s because he failed to kill the king of Aram when the Lord had devoted him to destruction (1 Kings 20:35-43).
During the reign of Ahab’s son Ahaziah, Ben-Hadad II fought against Israel and took control of Ramoth-gilead. Ahaziah was injured in battle and later died (1 Kings 22:1-37; 2 Chronicles 18). When Joram succeeded Ahaziah as king, Ben-Hadad II continued oppressing Israel and kept control of Ramoth-gilead (2 Kings 8:28-29).
Ben-Hadad III
The third Ben-Hadad is called Ben-Hadad III, though this numerical distinction does not occur in Scripture. He was likely the son and successor of Ben-Hadad II. Ben-Hadad III came to power sometime after Elisha’s prophecy to Hazael that he would become king over Aram (2 Kings 8:7-15).
Scripture does not record Ben-Hadad III’s rise to power, but he was apparently ruling Aram during the reign of Jehoahaz of Israel, successor to Joram. Hazael and Ben-Hadad III oppressed Israel throughout Jehoahaz’s reign (2 Kings 13:1-3). At this time, the Lord was angry with Israel and allowed Aram to prevail.
Elisha wept when he foresaw the evil Hazael would inflict on Israel. Yet the Lord promised that Israel would eventually prevail over Aram (2 Kings 8:11-13). Though oppressed for a time, Israel did later gain victories over Ben-Hadad III and Hazael under Jehoash of Israel (2 Kings 13:14-19, 24-25).
Ben-Hadad in prophecy
In the book of Amos, the prophet pronounces judgment against Damascus, capital of Aram. Part of this judgment is against “the palace of Ben-Hadad” (Amos 1:4), likely referring to a royal complex built by one of the Ben-Hadad kings.
So in summary, the Ben-Hadads were kings of Aram who ruled from Damascus and waged warfare against the northern kingdom of Israel. Their conflict represented part of the ongoing struggle between Aram and Israel for territorial control and economic dominance in the region. Yet God used the conflict to bring judgment against the wicked kings of both Aram and Israel at various times. The Ben-Hadads’ oppression of Israel also led the people to repent and cry out to the Lord to rescue them from foreign domination.
Key facts about Ben-Hadad:
– He was a common royal name meaning “son of Hadad”, the storm god of Syria.
– There were three Ben-Hadad kings who ruled Aram from Damascus in the 9th-8th centuries BC.
– Ben-Hadad I formed an alliance with Asa of Judah against Baasha of Israel.
– Ben-Hadad II warred against Ahab, Ahaziah, and Joram of Israel before being defeated.
– Ben-Hadad III oppressed Israel along with Hazael of Aram during Jehoahaz’s reign.
– The Ben-Hadads were part of God’s judgment against Israel’s idolatry but also led Israel to repentance.
– A judgment against the “palace of Ben-Hadad” is foretold in Amos 1:4.
So in the complex political events of Israel’s divided monarchy, the Ben-Hadads played a major role as hostile foreign powers who both judged Israel’s sin and spurred reliance on the Lord. Their stories reveal how God uses all nations and rulers to accomplish His sovereign purposes, both to discipline and redeem His people. Though enemies of Israel, the Ben-Hadads ultimately served God’s plan during a key period of biblical history.