Overview
The Bible addresses ben-hadad across 17 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in 2 Kings, 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles. Closely related themes include Hazael, Syria, Baasha and Kings. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Hazael, Asa and Elisha.
Key Bible verses about ben-hadad
Old Testament
1 Kings
Then Asa took all the silver and the gold that were left in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house, and delivered them into the hand of his servants: and king Asa sent them to Benhadad, the son of Tabrimon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,
There is a league between me and thee, and between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent unto thee a present of silver and gold; come and break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me. depart: Heb. go up
So Benhadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of the hosts which he had against the cities of Israel, and smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelbethmaachah, and all Cinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali.
2 Kings
And Elisha came to Damascus; and Benhadad the king of Syria was sick; and it was told him, saying, The man of God is come hither.
And the king said unto Hazael, Take a present in thine hand, and go, meet the man of God, and enquire of the LORD by him, saying, Shall I recover of this disease?
So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels' burden, and came and stood before him, and said, Thy son Benhadad king of Syria hath sent me to thee, saying, Shall I recover of this disease? with: Heb. in his hand
And Elisha said unto him, Go, say unto him, Thou mayest certainly recover: howbeit the LORD hath shewed me that he shall surely die.
And he settled his countenance stedfastly, until he was ashamed: and the man of God wept. stedfastly: Heb. and set it
And Hazael said, Why weepeth my lord? And he answered, Because I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Israel: their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash their children, and rip up their women with child.
And Hazael said, But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing? And Elisha answered, The LORD hath shewed me that thou shalt be king over Syria.
So he departed from Elisha, and came to his master; who said to him, What said Elisha to thee? And he answered, He told me that thou shouldest surely recover.
And it came to pass on the morrow, that he took a thick cloth, and dipped it in water, and spread it on his face, so that he died: and Hazael reigned in his stead.
So Hazael king of Syria died; and Benhadad his son reigned in his stead.
And Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz took again out of the hand of Benhadad the son of Hazael the cities, which he had taken out of the hand of Jehoahaz his father by war. Three times did Joash beat him, and recovered the cities of Israel. took: Heb. returned and took
2 Chronicles
Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king's house, and sent to Benhadad king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying, Damascus: Heb. Darmesek
There is a league between me and thee, as there was between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent thee silver and gold; go, break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.
And Benhadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel; and they smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelmaim, and all the store cities of Naphtali. his: Heb. which were his
People in the Bible and ben-hadad
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying ben-hadad for yourself
- Begin with 1 Kings 15:18, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how 2 Kings, 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Hazael, Asa and Elisha and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Hazael, Syria, Baasha and Kings.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about ben-hadad?
The Bible addresses ben-hadad across 17 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in 2 Kings, 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles. Closely related themes include Hazael, Syria, Baasha and Kings. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Hazael, Asa and Elisha.
How many Bible verses are about ben-hadad?
The Bible references ben-hadad in 17 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention ben-hadad?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is 1 Kings 15:18: “Then Asa took all the silver and the gold that were left in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house, and delivered them into the hand of his servants: and king Asa sent them to Benhadad, the son of Tabrimon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,”
Which people in the Bible are associated with ben-hadad?
Hazael, Asa and Elisha.
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