2 Kings 8:28

Went with Joram. The alliance between Israel and Judah was still in effect at this time, and Ahaziah would thus be expected to accompany his uncle on this campaign. In consideration of this alliance Jehoshaphat had gone with Ahab against Syria (1 Kings 22:29) and with Joram against Moab (2 Kings 3:7, 9).

Against Hazael. The wars between Israel and Syria, so frequent during the reign of Benhadad, continued during the reign of Hazael. At this time it was Israel that was on the offensive against Syria. Israel had suffered much at the hands of Benhadad, and was doubtless seeking the opportunity to even the score. A change in rulers in countries of the ancient East was frequently the signal for a series of wars; enemies would seek to attack before a new king had time to consolidate his position. Hazael is mentioned in an Aramaic inscription from Hamath in the same form as the Bible spells the name, also on ivory plaques which once served as decorations for the king’s bed. These plaques were found during the excavation of the north Syrian site known as Arslan Task. In Assyrian documents the name appears in the form Haza’ilu.

Hazael had been seriously involved in a war with Shalmaneser III of Assyria. According to the Assyrian accounts Hazael was roundly defeated in this struggle, suffering the loss of 16,000 of his men, 1,131 chariots, 470 cavalry horses, as well as his camp. Shalmaneser relates how Hazael fled from him in order to save his life, and was shut up in his royal city Damascus. The country outside the capital was devastated as far south as the Hauran at the northern borders of Gilead, whereupon the Assyrian king made his departure for the seacoast and received tribute of Tyre and Sidon. Shalmaneser launched this attack in the 18th year of his reign, 841 B.C. That was the year in which Ahaziah ailed in Judah, and the year when Joram of Israel made his attack on Ramoth-gilead (see p. 82). After the serious reverse that Hazael had suffered at the hands of Shalmaneser, the moment would be opportune for Joram to bring Ramoth-gilead back under Israelite control. It was in the endeavor to take that stronghold some years before that Ahab lost his life (1 Kings 22:3-37).

Wounded Joram. Despite the wounds the siege nevertheless was successful, for Ramoth-gilead fell into Israelite hands (ch. 9:1, 4, 14, 15).