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 8:1)ff 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
(2 Kings 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 Chronicles 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.
