2 Kings 13:24

KJV

So Hazael king of Syria died; and Benhadad his son reigned in his stead.

KJV (with Strong's)

So Hazael {H2371} king {H4428} of Syria {H758} died {H4191}; and Benhadad {H1130} his son {H1121} reigned {H4427} in his stead.

Complete Jewish Bible

Haza'el king of Aram died, and Ben-Hadad his son took his place as king.

Berean Standard Bible

When Hazael king of Aram died, his son Ben-hadad reigned in his place.

American Standard Version

And Hazael king of Syria died; and Ben-hadad his son reigned in his stead.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 13:24 succinctly records the death of Hazael, the formidable king of Aram (Syria), and the peaceful succession of his son, Benhadad, to the throne. This brief historical statement marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Syria, signifying the end of a prolonged period of severe Syrian oppression over the northern kingdom of Israel and setting the stage for a dramatic shift in regional power dynamics that would soon bring partial relief to God's covenant people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a crucial transitional marker within the narrative of 2 Kings, specifically following the account of Elisha's final prophetic acts and death. Immediately preceding it, the text describes the severe oppression Israel endured under Hazael (see [2 Kings 13:3](/2-kings/13-3 "2 Kings 13:3 - Hazael's Oppression of Israel") and [2 Kings 13:7](/2-kings/13-7 "2 Kings 13:7 - Israel's Diminished Army")), and God's compassionate response to their plight, remembering His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob ([2 Kings 13:23](/2-kings/13-23 "2 Kings 13:23 - God's Compassion for Israel")). The verse directly sets the stage for the subsequent narrative in [2 Kings 13:25](/2-kings/13-25 "2 Kings 13:25 - Joash's Victories Over Benhadad"), where King Joash of Israel achieves three significant victories over Benhadad, recovering territory previously lost to Hazael. This sequence highlights the immediate impact of Hazael's death on Israel's fortunes, fulfilling the partial deliverance promised by Elisha to Joash just before his own death (compare [2 Kings 13:18-19](/2-kings/13-18 "2 Kings 13:18-19 - Elisha's Final Prophecy to Joash")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Hazael was a powerful and ruthless king of Aram-Damascus, whose reign (c. 842-800 BCE) was marked by significant expansion and military dominance over the surrounding nations, including Israel and Judah. His rise to power, through the murder of his predecessor Ben-Hadad II, had been foretold by the prophet Elisha (see [2 Kings 8:7-15](/2-kings/8-7 "2 Kings 8:7-15 - Elisha's Prophecy to Hazael")). For decades, he served as a divinely appointed instrument of judgment against Israel due to their persistent idolatry and disobedience. The succession of Benhadad (likely Ben-Hadad III) upon his father's death was a common pattern in ancient Near Eastern monarchies, providing continuity of rule within the dynasty. The name "Benhadad" itself, meaning "son of Hadad," reflects the prominent worship of Hadad, the Aramean storm god, in Syrian culture, underscoring the pagan religious context against which Israel's covenant faith was defined.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within 2 Kings and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Divine Sovereignty over Nations**. Even formidable, oppressive rulers like Hazael are ultimately under God's control, serving His purposes as instruments of judgment or, through their demise, paving the way for His deliverance. Their end comes according to God's timing, not merely by human chance. Secondly, it highlights the **Fulfillment of Prophecy and God's Faithfulness**. Hazael's reign of terror had been prophesied by Elisha, and his death opens the door for the partial reversal of Israel's fortunes, which had also been prophetically anticipated (e.g., [2 Kings 13:19](/2-kings/13-19 "2 Kings 13:19 - Elisha's Prophecy of Victory")). This demonstrates God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people, even when they stray. Finally, the peaceful **Succession and Continuity** of the Syrian monarchy, despite the change in leadership, underscores that God's overarching plan for Israel and the nations continues to unfold, regardless of who occupies earthly thrones. The transition from Hazael to Benhadad, while seemingly mundane, was a divinely orchestrated event with profound implications for Israel's future.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hazael (Hebrew, _Ḥazāʾēl'_):** Meaning "God has seen" or "God has beheld." This name carries a profound irony in the context of his reign. While Hazael was a ruthless oppressor, his actions, his rise to power, and ultimately his death were all "seen" and orchestrated by God. He served as an instrument of divine judgment against Israel, and his demise was part of God's sovereign plan to bring relief to His people.
* **Benhadad (Hebrew, _Ben-Haḏaḏ'_):** Meaning "son of Hadad." This name directly links the Syrian king to the prominent Aramean storm god, Hadad, reflecting the pagan religious landscape of Aram. His succession signifies the continuity of the Syrian dynasty but also introduces a new, less formidable adversary for Israel, allowing for a shift in power dynamics.
* **Died (Hebrew, _yāmot'_):** The simple, declarative statement "died" is remarkably concise, yet it carries immense theological weight. In the biblical narrative, the death of a significant figure, especially an oppressor, is rarely just a biological event; it often signifies a divinely ordained turning point, marking the end of one era and the beginning of another, particularly in relation to God's purposes for His people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So Hazael king of Syria died;":** This clause marks the definitive end of Hazael's long and oppressive reign over Aram-Damascus. His death is presented as a factual, albeit highly significant, event. For Israel, this was not merely a change of leadership in a neighboring kingdom but the cessation of a divinely appointed period of severe judgment. The use of "So" (וַיָּמָת, _vayyāmot_) implies a consequence or a natural progression, yet within the biblical worldview, even such "natural" events are often understood as divinely orchestrated.
* **"and Benhadad his son reigned in his stead.":** This clause details the immediate and peaceful transfer of power. The succession of Benhadad III, Hazael's son, maintained the dynastic continuity of the Aramean kingdom. However, as subsequent verses reveal ([2 Kings 13:25](/2-kings/13-25 "2 Kings 13:25 - Joash's Victories Over Benhadad")), Benhadad would prove to be a less effective adversary against Israel than his father, allowing for Israel's partial recovery. This transition, therefore, was not merely a historical footnote but a crucial element in God's unfolding plan for Israel's deliverance.

#### Literary Devices
The brevity and declarative nature of 2 Kings 13:24 belie its profound literary and theological significance. The verse functions primarily as a **Transition**, marking a clear shift in the narrative from the period of intense Syrian oppression under Hazael to the impending, albeit partial, relief for Israel under King Joash. It acts as a pivot point, closing one chapter of suffering and opening another of potential restoration. Furthermore, the verse employs **Foreshadowing**, subtly hinting at the upcoming victories for Israel that will be detailed in the very next verse ([2 Kings 13:25](/2-kings/13-25 "2 Kings 13:25 - Joash's Victories Over Benhadad")). The simple statement of Hazael's death implicitly promises a change in fortunes. There is also an element of **Irony** in the name Hazael ("God has seen"), as the one who was an instrument of God's judgment ultimately meets his end at God's appointed time, a time "seen" and ordained by the Almighty. The **Conciseness** of the statement itself is a literary choice, emphasizing the factual nature of the event while allowing its theological implications to resonate more deeply in the reader's mind, especially when read in context with the preceding and following verses.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The death of Hazael and the succession of Benhadad in 2 Kings 13:24 profoundly underscore the biblical truth of God's absolute sovereignty over all earthly powers. This seemingly simple historical record is a powerful demonstration that no king, however mighty or oppressive, rules outside the scope of divine control. Hazael, who had been a scourge to Israel and an instrument of God's judgment for decades, ultimately fulfilled his appointed purpose, and his reign concluded precisely when God determined. This event highlights that God raises up and brings down rulers, orchestrating the course of history to accomplish His redemptive purposes, often through the unexpected turns of human events. It reinforces the theological understanding that even in times of severe suffering and national decline, God remains faithful to His covenant promises, using the rise and fall of nations to ultimately work for the good of His people and the unfolding of His grand plan.

* [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God Changes Times and Seasons")
* [Isaiah 10:5-7](/isaiah/10-5 "Isaiah 10:5-7 - Assyria as God's Rod of Anger")
* [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "Proverbs 21:1 - The King's Heart in God's Hand")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The concise declaration of Hazael's death and Benhadad's succession in 2 Kings 13:24 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God remains sovereign over all earthly powers, even in an age where political leaders and global events often seem chaotic or overwhelming. Just as Hazael's oppressive reign had a divinely appointed end, so too does every period of difficulty, every challenging circumstance, and every oppressive force in our lives and in the world. This verse invites us to trust in God's perfect timing and His unwavering compassion, even when circumstances seem bleak. It encourages us to look beyond immediate political or social realities to the ultimate control of the King of kings, who orchestrates the rise and fall of nations for His glory and the good of His people. Our hope is not in the changing of earthly rulers, but in the unchanging character of God, who remembers His covenant and brings about deliverance in His own way and time.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's sovereignty over nations and leaders (even oppressive ones) shape our prayers and perspective on current global events?**
* **In what areas of your life are you waiting for a "transition" or the end of an oppressive season? How does this verse encourage you to trust in God's timing and compassion?**
* **What does the peaceful succession of Benhadad, despite Hazael's oppressive reign, teach us about the continuity of God's plan even amidst human leadership changes?**

### FAQ

**Why is Hazael's death so significant for Israel?**

Answer: Hazael's death was profoundly significant for Israel because it marked the end of a long and brutal period of Syrian oppression. For decades, Hazael had been a divinely appointed instrument of judgment against the northern kingdom of Israel due to their idolatry and sin, severely diminishing their military and territorial strength (see [2 Kings 13:3](/2-kings/13-3 "2 Kings 13:3 - Hazael's Oppression of Israel") and [2 Kings 13:7](/2-kings/13-7 "2 Kings 13:7 - Israel's Diminished Army")). His demise paved the way for King Joash of Israel to achieve three significant victories over Benhadad, recovering cities that Hazael had captured, as detailed in [2 Kings 13:25](/2-kings/13-25 "2 Kings 13:25 - Joash's Victories Over Benhadad"), thus bringing partial relief and restoration to Israel.

**Was Benhadad as oppressive as Hazael?**

Answer: While Benhadad III, Hazael's son, continued the conflict with Israel, he was not as successful or as formidable an oppressor as his father. The biblical narrative indicates a significant weakening of Syrian power against Israel under Benhadad III. King Joash of Israel was able to defeat him three times, recovering cities that Hazael had taken, as recounted in [2 Kings 13:25](/2-kings/13-25 "2 Kings 13:25 - Joash's Victories Over Benhadad"). This suggests that while the threat remained, the intensity and success of Syrian aggression diminished with the change in leadership, allowing Israel a measure of recovery.

**How does this verse relate to Elisha's prophecies?**

Answer: This verse directly relates to Elisha's prophecies in two significant ways. Firstly, Elisha had earlier prophesied Hazael's brutal rise to power and the immense harm he would inflict upon Israel (see [2 Kings 8:12-13](/2-kings/8-12 "2 Kings 8:12-13 - Elisha's Prophecy to Hazael")). Hazael's death, therefore, signals the divinely ordained end of that specific period of judgment. Secondly, and more immediately, Elisha's final prophecy to King Joash just before his own death (recorded in [2 Kings 13:18-19](/2-kings/13-18 "2 Kings 13:18-19 - Elisha's Final Prophecy to Joash")) about striking the ground foreshadowed the victories that would now become possible against Benhadad. Hazael's death was the crucial turning point that allowed for the fulfillment of Elisha's promise of partial deliverance for Israel, leading directly to Joash's subsequent triumphs.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The death of Hazael and the subsequent shift in power dynamics, bringing relief to Israel, serves as a powerful Old Testament foreshadowing of the ultimate and definitive victory achieved by Jesus Christ. Just as Hazael represented a formidable, oppressive force that held Israel in bondage, so too do sin, death, and Satan represent the ultimate oppressors of humanity. Earthly kings and empires rise and fall, serving God's purposes, but their power is always temporary and limited. In Christ, however, we see the true King whose reign is eternal and whose victory is absolute. His death on the cross was not an end but the ultimate turning point, disarming the spiritual rulers and authorities and triumphing over them (see [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). Through His resurrection, Christ destroyed him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and delivered all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery (see [Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Defeat of Death")). The brief relief Israel experienced under Joash after Hazael's demise points to the complete and eternal liberation from sin's dominion and death's sting that is found in Christ. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), and through His finished work, the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever ([Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Becomes Christ's")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 125:3

For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.

Luke 18:7

And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?