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

2 KINGS 13:24KJV
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2 Kings 13:24 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 13:24 mean?

2 Kings 13:24 reports that Hazael, the king of Syria, died and his son Benhadad became king after him. This verse marks a transition in the leadership of Syria, which was a significant neighboring power to Israel at the time.

The verse is part of a historical account in the book of 2 Kings, which records the reigns of various kings in Israel and the surrounding nations. The writer is simply noting the death of Hazael (who had been an adversary of Israel) and the succession of his son Benhadad, setting the stage for later events involving Syria and Israel.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 13:24

  • חֲזָאֵל (ḥaza'el, "Hazael"): This is the personal name of the Syrian king. Knowing his name helps track the ongoing conflict between Syria and Israel in this part of the narrative.
  • מֶלֶךְ (melekh, "king"): This word identifies Hazael's role as the ruler of Syria, emphasizing the political transition.
  • בֶּן־הֲדַד (ben-hadad, "Benhadad"): This name means "son of Hadad," with Hadad being a Syrian storm god. The use of this name for multiple Syrian kings can sometimes cause confusion, but here it clearly refers to Hazael’s son.
  • מָלַךְ (malakh, "reigned"): This verb tells us that Benhadad took over the rule, not just in name but in authority, continuing the Syrian dynasty.

Why 2 Kings 13:24 matters

  • This verse clarifies the change in Syrian leadership, which is important for understanding the shifting political landscape in the surrounding chapters.
  • The mention of Benhadad as Hazael’s son helps readers keep track of the different rulers named Benhadad in the Bible, since there were several.
  • The transition sets up future interactions between Israel and Syria, as the new king’s actions will affect Israel’s history in the following verses.

Where else these words appear

“Hazael” Hebrew H2371 · used in 21 verses

  • 1 Kings 19:15 And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:
  • 2 Kings 8:15 And it came to pass on the morrow, that he took a thick cloth, and dipped it in water, and spread it on his face, so that he died: and Hazael reigned in his stead.
  • 2 Kings 12:18 And Jehoash king of Judah took all the hallowed things that Jehoshaphat, and Jehoram, and Ahaziah, his fathers, kings of Judah, had dedicated, and his own hallowed things, and all the gold that was found in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and in the king's house, and sent it to Hazael king of Syria: and he went away from Jerusalem.

“Benhadad” Hebrew H1130 · used in 24 verses

  • 1 Kings 15:18 Then Asa took all the silver and the gold that were left in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house, and delivered them into the hand of his servants: and king Asa sent them to Benhadad, the son of Tabrimon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,
  • 1 Kings 20:16 And they went out at noon. But Benhadad was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions, he and the kings, the thirty and two kings that helped him.
  • 2 Kings 8:7 And Elisha came to Damascus; and Benhadad the king of Syria was sick; and it was told him, saying, The man of God is come hither.

“Syria” Hebrew H758 · used in 117 verses

  • Genesis 10:22 The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram.
  • 1 Kings 22:35 And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even: and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot.
  • 1 Chronicles 2:23 And he took Geshur, and Aram, with the towns of Jair, from them, with Kenath, and the towns thereof, even threescore cities. All these belonged to the sons of Machir the father of Gilead.