Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 16:4
And Ben-hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel, conquering Ijon, Dan, Abel-maim, and all the store cities of Naphtali.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — King Asa of Judah sends silver and gold to Ben-hadad of Aram, prompting Ben-hadad to attack Israel’s northern cities during the ongoing conflict with Baasha. This action occurs immediately after Asa’s diplomatic treaty proposal and directly precedes Baasha’s abandonment of the Ramah fortification.
The words — The Hebrew verb וַיִּשְׁמַע (va.yishma') translates literally as "and he listened," indicating Ben-hadad’s acceptance of Asa’s terms. The verb וַיִּשְׁלַח (va.yishlach) means "and he sent," documenting the immediate dispatch of Aramite commanders to execute the agreement.
The thread — The text records Ben-hadad’s military response to a political bribe, functioning parallel to Abram’s mobilization in Genesis 14:14 and the Egyptian taskmaster system in Exodus 1:11. The strategic capture of fortified northern settlements also aligns with the isolated valley geography described in Judges 18:28.
Why it lands — The verse demands recognition that political survival was secured through financial transaction rather than covenantal faith. It requires the reader to observe how diplomatic maneuvering directly triggers military displacement without moral commentary.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Ben–hadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel; and they smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abel–maim, and all the store cities of Naphtali.
Cross-references
- Genesis 14:14 And when Abram heard that his relative had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men born in his household, and they set out in pursuit as far as Dan.
- Exodus 1:11 So the Egyptians appointed taskmasters over the Israelites to oppress them with forced labor. As a result, they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh.
- Judges 18:28 There was no one to deliver them, because the city was far from Sidon and had no alliance with anyone; it was in a valley near Beth-rehob. And the Danites rebuilt the city and lived there.
- Judges 20:1 Then all the Israelites from Dan to Beersheba and from the land of Gilead came out, and the congregation assembled as one man before the LORD at Mizpah.
- 1 Kings 9:19 as well as all the store cities that Solomon had for his chariots and horses—whatever he desired to build in Jerusalem, Lebanon, and throughout the land of his dominion.
- 1 Kings 15:20 And Ben-hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel, conquering Ijon, Dan, Abel-beth-maacah, and the whole land of Naphtali, including the region of Chinnereth.
- 2 Chronicles 8:6 as well as Baalath, all the store cities that belonged to Solomon, and all the cities for his chariots and horses—whatever he desired to build in Jerusalem, Lebanon, and throughout the land of his dominion.
- 2 Chronicles 17:12 Jehoshaphat grew stronger and stronger, and he built fortresses and store cities in Judah
- 1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
- 2 Peter 2:15 They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.