2 Kings 13:24 kjv
So Hazael king of Syria died; and Benhadad his son reigned in his stead.
2 Kings 13:24 nkjv
Now Hazael king of Syria died. Then Ben-Hadad his son reigned in his place.
2 Kings 13:24 niv
Hazael king of Aram died, and Ben-Hadad his son succeeded him as king.
2 Kings 13:24 esv
When Hazael king of Syria died, Ben-hadad his son became king in his place.
2 Kings 13:24 nlt
King Hazael of Aram died, and his son Ben-hadad became the next king.
2 Kings 13 24 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Hazael's Role & Impact | ||
| 1 Kgs 19:15 | "...anoint Hazael to be king over Aram..." | God's divine appointment of Hazael. |
| 2 Kgs 8:12-13 | Elisha wept for the evil Hazael would do to Israel. | Prophecy of Hazael's coming cruelty. |
| 2 Kgs 10:32-33 | "In those days the Lord began to cut off parts of Israel; and Hazael attacked them..." | Hazael's oppressive military campaigns against Israel. |
| 2 Kgs 12:17 | "At that time Hazael king of Aram went up and fought against Gath..." | Hazael's broad military conquests. |
| 2 Kgs 13:3 | "And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he gave them continually into the hand of Hazael..." | God using Hazael as an instrument of judgment. |
| 2 Kgs 13:7 | "...left to Jehoahaz only fifty horsemen and ten chariots..." | Hazael severely crippled Israel's military. |
| Amos 1:4 | "So I will send a fire upon the house of Hazael..." | God's later judgment pronounced against Aram/Hazael. |
| Divine Sovereignty Over Nations/Kings | ||
| Prov 21:1 | "The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord..." | God directs the hearts of kings. |
| Isa 10:5-7 | "Ah, Assyria, the rod of my anger..." | God uses pagan nations as His instruments. |
| Jer 1:10 | "...to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow..." | God's authority over nations and kingdoms. |
| Dan 2:20-21 | "...He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings..." | God's ultimate control over all rulers. |
| Ps 75:6-7 | "For not from the east or from the west...but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and setting up another." | God alone is the source of all authority. |
| Rom 13:1 | "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God..." | All authority is established by God. |
| Acts 17:26 | "...determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place..." | God determines nations' lifespans and territories. |
| Israel's Suffering & Hope for Deliverance | ||
| 2 Kgs 13:4-5 | "But Jehoahaz implored the Lord...and the Lord gave Israel a deliverer..." | Implies the possibility of relief, leading to 13:24-25. |
| 2 Kgs 13:22 | "For Hazael king of Aram had oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz." | Highlights the duration of oppression before 13:24. |
| 2 Kgs 13:25 | "Then Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz took again from Ben-hadad..." | Immediate consequence of Hazael's death. |
| Hos 1:7 | "...but I will save them by the Lord their God; I will not save them by bow, nor by sword..." | Deliverance comes from God, not human might alone. |
| Lam 3:31-32 | "For the Lord will not cast off forever, but though he cause grief..." | God's compassion and ultimate mercy on His people. |
| Judg 3:9 | "When the people of Israel cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer..." | Pattern of God raising up deliverers after oppression. |
| Dynastic Succession | ||
| 1 Kgs 11:43 | "And Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead." | Common succession phrase in Kings. |
| 2 Sam 2:4 | "And they anointed David king over the house of Judah." | Example of new kings being set up. |
2 Kings 13 verses
2 Kings 13 24 Meaning
This verse states a crucial historical fact: the death of Hazael, the formidable king of Aram (Syria), and the succession of his son, Ben-hadad, to the throne. This change in leadership in a dominant neighboring kingdom signals a significant turning point, especially for the kingdom of Israel, which had suffered severe oppression under Hazael.
2 Kings 13 24 Context
The verse falls within the narrative of Jehoahaz and Jehoash, kings of Israel from the dynasty of Jehu. Prior to this verse, the kingdom of Israel had suffered devastating oppression at the hands of Hazael, king of Aram. God's anger was kindled against Israel due to their continued sin and idolatry, particularly the worship of the Asherah pole in Samaria, a remnant of the practices introduced by the house of Ahab (2 Kgs 13:3, 6). As a result, Israel's military was significantly diminished (2 Kgs 13:7), and they were subject to constant threat and loss under Hazael (2 Kgs 13:22). Jehoahaz had pleaded with the Lord, and while a "deliverer" was promised (2 Kgs 13:5), this promise found its initial fulfillment in the events following Hazael's death. This verse, therefore, marks a pivotal moment, as Hazael's long and brutal reign concludes, setting the stage for a period of potential relief and partial restoration for Israel under Jehoash. Historically, Hazael was a very powerful figure who solidified Aramaean dominance in the Levant, even extracting tribute from Judah. His death fundamentally altered the geopolitical landscape.
2 Kings 13 24 Word analysis
- And Hazael (וַחֲזָאֵל, vaḥăzāʾēl): "Hazael" means "God has seen." This powerful Aramean (Syrian) king was divinely appointed by the Lord through Elisha to be a scourge for Israel (1 Kgs 19:15-17; 2 Kgs 8:7-15). His long reign was marked by severe oppression of Israel, fulfilling Elisha's prophecy (2 Kgs 8:12). The 'and' (va-) simply connects this event to the preceding narrative.
- king of Syria (מֶלֶךְ אֲרָם, meleḵ ʾărām): "Syria" refers to Aram, specifically the kingdom of Aram-Damascus, a major political and military power in the ancient Near East during this period (late 9th - early 8th century BCE). Highlighting his royal title underscores his significance and the geopolitical impact of his demise.
- died (מֵת, mēt): A simple and definitive verb. His death marks the cessation of a brutal period of Israel's history. It's noteworthy that he did not fall in battle against Israel; his passing signifies a shift brought about by divine providence rather than Israel's military might, echoing the idea of God's control over powerful leaders.
- and Ben-hadad (וּבֶן־הֲדַד, uvben-hăḏaḏ): "Ben-hadad" means "Son of Hadad," Hadad being a major Aramean storm and fertility god. This specific Ben-hadad is Ben-hadad III. The use of 'and' connects his succession directly to his father's death.
- his son (בְּנוֹ, bĕnô): This clearly states the familial succession, indicating a direct, dynastic transfer of power, typical of ancient Near Eastern monarchies. This succession follows common practice and stands in contrast to Hazael's own violent seizure of power from the previous Ben-hadad (2 Kgs 8:15).
- reigned in his stead (וַיִּמְלֹךְ תַּחְתָּיו, vayyimloḵ taḥtāyw): This is a common Hebrew formula in the books of Kings and Chronicles to signify royal succession. It confirms the orderly (at least formally) transition of power. The implication for Israel is profound: a less formidable successor now sat on the Aramean throne, opening a window for Israel's recovery as shown in the next verse.
- Hazael king of Syria died; and Ben-hadad his son reigned in his stead: This phrase encapsulates a turning point. Hazael, the long-standing, powerful, and oppressive force against Israel, is gone. His son, though bearing the title "Son of Hadad" (implying divine backing), proved to be a weaker ruler from Israel's perspective. This transition from a stronger, more oppressive ruler to a comparatively weaker one highlights the underlying theme of God's sovereign control over nations and their leaders, orchestrating events to fulfill His purposes for His people.
2 Kings 13 24 Bonus section
- Divine Passive: While Hazael's death is stated plainly as a historical event, the surrounding narrative implicitly presents it as God's doing. God "gave Israel continually into the hand of Hazael" (2 Kgs 13:3), and God "gave Israel a deliverer" (2 Kgs 13:5). Hazael's death facilitates this deliverance, fitting into God's broader plan for His people.
- Contrast in Succession: It's ironic that Hazael, who seized power violently from the previous Ben-hadad, should be succeeded in a seemingly orderly, patrilineal fashion. This highlights that regardless of how a ruler gains or loses power, the divine hand orchestrates outcomes.
- Geopolitical Impact: The death of a powerful monarch like Hazael typically led to instability or opportunities for rival states. For Israel, weakened by Hazael, this instability provided the needed breathing room and the chance for Jehoash to regain lost territories.
2 Kings 13 24 Commentary
This concise statement of Hazael's death and Ben-hadad's succession is deceptively simple, yet it holds immense theological and historical significance. Hazael had been the very "rod of God's anger" against apostate Israel, devastating their military and territorial holdings. His demise marks a divinely appointed moment, ending an era of severe judgment. While his reign of terror over Israel ceases, it is not by Israel's might but by the natural course of events (his death) and God's sovereign timing. The transfer of power to Ben-hadad III, historically known to be less effective than his father, immediately enables the partial recovery of Israel under Jehoash in the subsequent verses. Thus, 2 Kings 13:24 acts as the crucial hinge, setting the stage for divine compassion and partial deliverance, demonstrating God's continued oversight of His covenant people even through the political shifts of pagan empires.