Ben-hadad

Ben-hadad (meaning son of Hadad, the Syrian storm-god) was the standing dynastic title of the kings of Damascus/Aram-Syria, analogous to Pharaoh in Egypt. Three kings are distinguished: (1.) Ben-hadad I, who made a league with Asa of Judah against Baasha of Israel (1 Kings 15:18). (2.) Ben-hadad II, the most prominent, who besieged Samaria twice, was miraculously defeated by Ahab, was later healed by Elisha, and was finally assassinated by Hazael (1 Kings 20; 2 Kings 6:24; 8:7–15). (3.) Ben-hadad III, son of Hazael, under whom Syria declined and Israel recovered territory under Jehoash (2 Kings 13:3, 24–25).