Topical Bible: Alliances: Asa and Benhadad

◄ Alliances: Asa and Benhadad ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The alliance between King Asa of Judah and King Benhadad of Aram is a significant event recorded in the Old Testament, illustrating the complexities of political and military alliances in the ancient Near East. This alliance is primarily documented in 1 Kings 15:16-22 and 2 Chronicles 16:1-6.

Historical Context

King Asa, the third king of the Kingdom of Judah, reigned from approximately 911 to 870 BC. He is noted for his religious reforms and efforts to rid Judah of idolatry, as well as for his military campaigns to secure the kingdom's borders. During Asa's reign, the Kingdom of Israel, under King Baasha, posed a significant threat to Judah. Baasha fortified Ramah, a strategic city near the border, to control access to Judah and disrupt trade and communication.

The Alliance

Faced with the threat from Baasha, Asa sought to form an alliance with Benhadad I, the king of Aram (Syria), whose capital was Damascus. Asa sent silver and gold from the treasuries of the LORD's temple and the royal palace to Benhadad, requesting his assistance in breaking his treaty with Baasha and attacking Israel. The Berean Standard Bible records Asa's plea: "Let there be a treaty between me and you, as there was between my father and your father. See, I have sent you silver and gold. Now go and break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, so that he will withdraw from me" (1 Kings 15:19).

Benhadad accepted Asa's proposal and attacked the northern cities of Israel, including Ijon, Dan, Abel Maim, and all the store cities of Naphtali. This military pressure forced Baasha to abandon his fortification of Ramah, allowing Asa to dismantle the site and use the materials to fortify Geba and Mizpah in Benjamin (1 Kings 15:20-22).

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, Asa's alliance with Benhadad is often viewed critically. While it achieved the immediate goal of relieving pressure from Baasha, it demonstrated a reliance on human alliances rather than trust in divine intervention. The prophet Hanani rebuked Asa for this decision, saying, "Because you relied on the king of Aram and not on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand" (2 Chronicles 16:7). Hanani reminded Asa of past victories granted by God when Asa relied on divine help, such as the defeat of the Cushites and Libyans.

Asa's reliance on Benhadad rather than seeking the LORD's guidance is seen as a turning point in his reign, leading to further consequences, including Asa's affliction with a disease in his feet in his later years. Despite his earlier faithfulness, Asa's decision to form an alliance with a foreign power rather than trusting in God is a cautionary tale about the dangers of political expediency over spiritual fidelity.

Legacy

The alliance between Asa and Benhadad serves as a historical example of the political dynamics in the region and the challenges faced by the kings of Judah in maintaining sovereignty and security. It also provides a moral and spiritual lesson on the importance of seeking God's guidance and trusting in His provision, rather than relying solely on human alliances and resources.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Kings 15:18,19
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 dwelled at Damascus, saying,
Nave's Topical Index

2 Chronicles 16:3
There is a league between me and you, as there was between my father and your father: behold, I have sent you silver and gold; go, break your league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.
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Library

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... repeated changes of dynasty in Israel"Asa and Baasha ... and its origin"Bezon, Tabrimmon,
Benhadad I.--- Omri ... were respectively free to make alliances, or to ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7. <. ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm