Hazael

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.

(whom God sees), a king of Damascus who reigned from about B.C. 886 to B.C. 840. He appears to have been previously a person in a high position at the court of Ben-hadad, and was sent by his master to Elisha to inquire if he would recover from the malady under which he was suffering. Elisha’s answer led to the murder of Ben-hadad by his ambitious servant, who forthwith mounted the throne. (2 Kings 8:7-15) He was soon engaged in war with the kings of Judah and Israel for the possession of the city of Ramoth-gilead. Ibid. (2 Kings 8:28) Towards the close of the reign of Jehu, Hazael led the Syrians against the Israelites (about B.C. 860), whom he “smote in all their coasts,” (2 Kings 10:32) thus accomplishing the prophecy of Elisha. Ibid . (2 Kings 8:12) At the close of his life, having taken Gath, ibid. (2 Kings 12:17) comp. Amos 6:2 He proceeded to attack Jerusalem, (2 Chronicles 24:24) and was about to assault the city when Joash bribed him to retire. (2 Kings 12:18) Hazael appears to have died about the year B.C. 840, (2 Kings 13:24) having reigned forty-six years.

HAZ'AEL, (God sees), an officer in the court of Syria, and subsequently its powerful king. Elijah was commanded to anoint him king but left this duty to Elisha; and so when Hazael was despatched by his king, Benhadad, to Elisha to inquire about the results of the disease with which he was afflicted, the prophet predicted the elevation of Hazael to the throne of Syria, and a series of the most horrible cruelties of which he would be guilty toward the children of Israel,1 Kgs 19:15. Hazael expressed the utmost abhorrence of such conduct, but on the next day he smothered Benhadad to death and ascended the throne, 2 Kgs 8:7-16. He warred against the kingdom of Israel, 2 Kgs 10:32, and against Judah. He took Gath, and was averted from entering Jerusalem only by a rich bribe,2 Kgs 12:17-18. He reigned forty-six years, and was succeeded by his son, Benhadad. The conquests of Hazael's reign were lost during that of his son and successor, 2 Kgs 13:25.

that sees God

HAZAEL, HOUSE OF, either family or palace of Hazael, Am 1:4.