Hazael

Hazael, king of Aram, was anointed by Elijah and fought against Israel and Judah.

Hazael was the king of Aram (Syria) during the reigns of Jehoram, Jehu, Jehoahaz, and Jehoash of Israel, and Ahaziah and Joash of Judah. He was anointed by the prophet Elijah as the future king of Aram (1Ki.19.15, 17). Hazael became king after the death of Ben-Hadad II, whom he had murdered (2Ki 8:15). During his reign, Hazael fought against Israel and Judah, capturing cities and inflicting heavy casualties (2Ki.8.28-29; 9.14-15; 10.32; 12.17-18; 13.3, 22). He also oppressed Israel during the reign of Jehoahaz (2Ki.13.3, 22). However, Jehoash, son of Jehoahaz, recaptured some cities from Hazael's son, Ben-Hadad III (2Ki 13:24-25). The prophet Amos prophesied against Hazael and his dynasty for their cruelty against Israel (Amo 1:4).

Whom God beholds, an officer of Ben-hadad II., king of Syria, who ultimately came to the throne, according to the word of the Lord to Elijah (1 Kings 19:15), after he had put the king to death (2 Kings 8:15). His interview with Elisha is mentioned in 2 Kings 8. The Assyrians soon after his accession to the throne came against him and defeated him with very great loss; and three years afterwards again invaded Syria, but on this occasion Hazael submitted to them. He then turned his arms against Israel, and ravaged “all the land of Gilead,” etc. (2 Kings 10:33), which he held in a degree of subjection to him (13:3-7, 22). He aimed at the subjugation also of the kingdom of Judah, when Joash obtained peace by giving him “all the gold that was found in the treasures of the house of the Lord, and in the king’s house” (2 Kings 12:18; 2 Chr. 24:24). He reigned about forty-six years (B.C. 886-840), and was succeeded on the throne by his son Ben-hadad (2 Kings 13:22-25), who on several occasions was defeated by Jehoash, the king of Israel, and compelled to restore all the land of Israel his father had taken.