Hazael
“Whom God beholds; God has seen”
Summary
Hazael was a powerful king of Damascus who seized the throne by murdering his master Ben-hadad, and became God's instrument to punish Israel for their sins, oppressing them throughout his long reign.
☩Prophetic Designation
Hazael's eventual accession to the throne of Syria was first revealed to Elijah, who was commissioned to anoint him king. When Elisha was at Damascus, Ben-hadad, who was ill, sent Hazael to consult the prophet regarding his recovery. Hazael came with forty camels bearing presents. Elisha answered that the king might certainly recover from the disease itself, yet would surely die—and then wept as he foresaw the evils Hazael would inflict upon Israel.
☩Murder of Ben-hadad
When Hazael asked in apparent shock how he, 'a dog,' could do such terrible things, Elisha explained it would be as king of Syria. The next day, this calculating man took a thick cloth, dipped it in water, and spread it over the face of his sleeping master, who was smothered by its weight. The murder appeared to his people as a natural death, and Hazael assumed the throne.
☩Wars Against Israel
Hazael soon engaged in hostilities with Ahaziah of Judah and Jehoram of Israel for possession of Ramoth-gilead. After initial conflicts with Assyria, Hazael turned his full force against Israel toward the close of Jehu's reign, smiting them 'in all their coasts' and fulfilling Elisha's prophecy. His main attack fell upon the eastern territories, ravaging 'all the land of Gilead, the Gadites, and the Reubenites, and the Manassites, from Aroer even to Gilead and Bashan.'
☩Cruelty Foretold and Fulfilled
Elisha had prophesied that Hazael would set Israel's strongholds on fire, slay their young men, dash their children, and rip up their women with child. Amos later condemned Damascus 'because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron,' a description of Hazael's brutal treatment. God used this cruel oppressor as His rod against His disobedient people, yet promised judgment upon Damascus for its excesses.
☩Attack on Jerusalem
Toward the close of his reign, Hazael threatened even Judah. Having taken Gath, he proceeded toward Jerusalem and defeated the Jews in battle. Joash saved Jerusalem only by surrendering all the sacred treasures of the temple and the royal palace. Hazael died around 840 BC after a reign of approximately forty-six years, leaving the throne to his son Ben-hadad, from whom Jehoash of Israel later recovered the lost cities.
Related Verses22 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Hazael," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Hazael," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Hazael," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 4.George Morrish, "Hazael," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).