Introduction:
Ben-hadad is a dynastic name attributed to several kings of Aram-Damascus, a kingdom located in present-day Syria. The name "Ben-hadad" means "son of Hadad," with Hadad being the storm and rain god worshiped in the ancient Near East. The Ben-hadads are significant figures in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of their interactions and conflicts with the kingdoms of Israel and Judah.

Ben-hadad I:
The first Ben-hadad mentioned in the Bible is likely Ben-hadad I, who reigned during the time of Asa, king of Judah. In 1 Kings 15:18-20, Asa sought an alliance with Ben-hadad I to counter the threat posed by Baasha, king of Israel. Asa sent silver and gold from the treasuries of the LORD's temple and the royal palace to Ben-hadad, asking him to break his treaty with Baasha. Ben-hadad complied, attacking the northern cities of Israel, which forced Baasha to withdraw from his fortifications in Judah.

Ben-hadad II:
Ben-hadad II, the son of Ben-hadad I, is a prominent figure in the biblical accounts of the kings of Israel. His reign is marked by repeated conflicts with Ahab, king of Israel. In 1 Kings 20, Ben-hadad II besieged Samaria, demanding the surrender of Ahab's wealth, wives, and children. Ahab initially agreed to the terms, but when Ben-hadad demanded further concessions, Ahab refused, leading to a series of battles. Despite being outnumbered, the Israelites, with divine assistance, defeated Ben-hadad's forces twice. After the second defeat, Ben-hadad was captured but spared by Ahab, who referred to him as "my brother" (1 Kings 20:32-34).

Ben-hadad II's interactions with Israel continued during the reign of Ahab's successor, Jehoram. In 2 Kings 6-7, Ben-hadad besieged Samaria again, causing a severe famine. The siege was miraculously lifted when the LORD caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots and horses, leading them to flee in panic, leaving their camp and supplies behind.

Ben-hadad III:
The third Ben-hadad, likely the son of Hazael, is mentioned in 2 Kings 13. During his reign, Israel, under King Jehoahaz, suffered greatly at the hands of the Arameans. However, the LORD showed compassion to Israel, and through the prophetic ministry of Elisha, Jehoash, son of Jehoahaz, was able to defeat Ben-hadad III three times, recovering the cities that had been taken by Aram (2 Kings 13:24-25).

Historical and Theological Significance:
The accounts of the Ben-hadads highlight the tumultuous relationship between Israel and Aram-Damascus. These narratives underscore the sovereignty of God over the nations and His ability to deliver His people despite overwhelming odds. The interactions between the kings of Israel and the Ben-hadads also illustrate the complexities of political alliances and the consequences of disobedience to God's commands.

Biblical References:
· 1 Kings 15:18-20 : "Then Asa took all the silver and gold that was left in the treasuries of the house of the LORD and the royal palace, and he entrusted it to his servants. Then King Asa sent them to Ben-hadad son of Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion, the king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus, saying, 'Let there be a treaty between me and you, as there was between my father and your father. See, I have sent you a gift of silver and gold. Now go and break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, so that he will withdraw from me.' And Ben-hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel, conquering Ijon, Dan, Abel-beth-maacah, and all the land of Naphtali, including the region of Kinnereth."

· 1 Kings 20:32-34 : "So they put sackcloth around their waists and ropes around their heads, and they went to the king of Israel and said, 'Your servant Ben-hadad says: "Please let me live."' And the king answered, 'Is he still alive? He is my brother.' The men took this as a good sign and were quick to pick up his word. 'Yes, your brother Ben-hadad!' they said. 'Go and bring him,' said the king. Then Ben-hadad came out, and Ahab had him come up into his chariot. Ben-hadad said to him, 'I will restore the cities that my father took from your father, and you may set up marketplaces for yourself in Damascus, as my father did in Samaria.' 'On the basis of this treaty, I will let you go,' Ahab replied. So he made a treaty with him and sent him away."

· 2 Kings 13:24-25 : "When Hazael king of Aram died, his son Ben-hadad became king in his place. Then Jehoash son of Jehoahaz recaptured from Ben-hadad son of Hazael the cities that Hazael had taken in battle from his father Jehoahaz. Three times Jehoash defeated him, and so he recovered the cities of Israel."Ben-ha'dad (26 Occurrences)

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 Ben-hadad, the son of Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion, king of Aram, that dwelt at Damascus, saying:
(See RSV)

1 Kings 15:20
And Ben-hadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel, and smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abel-beth-maacah, and all Chinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali.
(See RSV)

1 Kings 20:1
And Ben-hadad the king of Aram gathered all his host together; and there were thirty and two kings with him, and horses and chariots; and he went up and besieged Samaria, and fought against it.
(See RSV)

1 Kings 20:2
He sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel, into the city, and said to him, "Thus says Ben Hadad,
(See RSV)

1 Kings 20:5
And the messengers came again, and said: 'Thus speaketh Ben-hadad, saying: I sent indeed unto thee, saying: Thou shalt deliver me thy silver, and thy gold, and thy wives, and thy children;
(See RSV)

1 Kings 20:9
Wherefore he said unto the messengers of Ben-hadad: 'Tell my lord the king: All that thou didst send for to thy servant at the first I will do; but this thing I may not do.' And the messengers departed, and brought him back word.
(See RSV)

1 Kings 20:10
And Ben-hadad sent unto him, and said: 'The gods do so unto me, and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people that follow me.'
(See RSV)

1 Kings 20:12
And it came to pass, when Ben-hadad heard this message, as he was drinking, he and the kings, in the booths, that he said unto his servants: 'Set yourselves in array.' And they set themselves in array against the city.
(See RSV)

1 Kings 20:16
And they went out at noon. But Ben-hadad was drinking himself drunk in the booths, he and the kings, the thirty and two kings that helped him.
(See RSV)

1 Kings 20:17
And the young men of the princes of the provinces went out first; and Ben-hadad sent out, and they told him, saying: 'There are men come out from Samaria.'
(See RSV)

1 Kings 20:20
And they slew every one his man; and the Arameans fled, and Israel pursued them; and Ben-hadad the king of Aram escaped on a horse with horsemen.
(See RSV)

1 Kings 20:26
And it came to pass at the return of the year, that Ben-hadad mustered the Arameans, and went up to Aphek, to fight against Israel.
(See RSV)

1 Kings 20:30
But the rest fled to Aphek, into the city; and the wall fell upon twenty and seven thousand men that were left. And Ben-hadad fled, and came into the city, into an inner chamber.
(See RSV)

1 Kings 20:32
So they girded sackcloth on their loins, and put ropes on their heads, and came to the king of Israel, and said: 'Thy servant Ben-hadad saith: I pray thee, let me live.' And he said: 'Is he yet alive? he is my brother.'
(See RSV)

1 Kings 20:33
Now the men took it for a sign, and hastened to catch it from him; and they said: 'Thy brother Ben-hadad.' Then he said: 'Go ye, bring him.' Then Ben-hadad came forth to him; and he caused him to come up into his chariot.
(See RSV)

1 Kings 20:34
And Ben-hadad said unto him: 'The cities which my father took from thy father I will restore; and thou shalt make streets for thee in Damascus, as my father made in Samaria.' 'And I ,said Ahab, will let thee go with this covenant.' So he made a covenant with him, and let him go.
(See RSV)

2 Kings 6:24
And it came to pass after this, that Ben-hadad king of Aram gathered all his host, and went up, and besieged Samaria.
(See RSV)

2 Kings 8:7
And Elisha came to Damascus; and Ben-hadad the king of Aram was sick; and it was told him, saying. 'The man of God is come hither.'
(See RSV)

2 Kings 8:9
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 Ben-hadad king of Aram hath sent me to thee, saying: Shall I recover of this sickness?'
(See RSV)

2 Kings 13:3
And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and He delivered them into the hand of Hazael king of Aram, and into the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael, continually.
(See RSV)

2 Kings 13:24
And Hazael king of Aram died; and Ben-hadad his son reigned in his stead.
(See RSV)

2 Kings 13:25
And Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz took again out of the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael the cities which he had taken out of the hand of Jehoahaz his father by war. Three times did Joash smite him, and recovered the cities of Israel.
(See RSV)

2 Chronicles 16:2
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 Ben-hadad king of Aram, that dwelt at Damascus, saying:
(See RSV)

2 Chronicles 16:4
And Ben-hadad 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.
(See RSV)

Jeremiah 49:27
And I have kindled a fire against the wall of Damascus, And it consumed palaces of Ben-Hadad!'
(See RSV)

Amos 1:4
And I have sent a fire against the house of Hazael, And it hath consumed the palaces of Ben-Hadad.
(See RSV)

Ben-ha'dad (26 Occurrences)
Ben-ha'dad. Ben-hadad, Ben-ha'dad. Ben-hadad's . Multi-Version Concordance
Ben-ha'dad (26 Occurrences). 1 Kings 15:18 Then Asa took ...
/b/ben-ha'dad.htm - 14k

Ben-hadad (27 Occurrences)
Ben-hadad. Benhadad, Ben-hadad. Ben-ha'dad . Easton's Bible Dictionary ... (ASV
BBE DBY JPS WBS YLT NAS NIV). Benhadad, Ben-hadad. Ben-ha'dad . Reference Bible
/b/ben-hadad.htm - 16k

Ben-hadad's (2 Occurrences)
Ben-hadad's. Ben-ha'dad, Ben-hadad's. Benhail . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(BBE). Ben-ha'dad, Ben-hadad's. Benhail . Reference Bible.
/b/ben-hadad's.htm - 7k

Benhadad (24 Occurrences)
...ben-ha'-dad (ben-hadhadh; Septuagint huios Hader): The Name I. BENHADAD I 1. The
Kingdom of Syria Founded 2. Syria and Judah 3. Shortsightedness of Asa II. ...
/b/benhadad.htm - 28k

Who was Ben-Hadad in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Is Ben-Hur in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that God is the God of the hills and valleys (1 Kings 20:28)? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus