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2 Kings 6:24

2 Kings 6:24 in Multiple Translations

Some time later, Ben-hadad king of Aram assembled his entire army and marched up to besiege Samaria.

¶ And it came to pass after this, that Ben-hadad king of Syria gathered all his host, and went up, and besieged Samaria.

And it came to pass after this, that Ben-hadad king of Syria gathered all his host, and went up, and besieged Samaria.

Now after this, Ben-hadad, king of Aram, got together all his army and went up to make an attack on Samaria, shutting the town in on all sides with his forces.

Sometime after this Ben-hadad king of Aram called up all his army and went to lay siege to Samaria.

But afterward Ben-hadad King of Aram gathered all his hoste, and went vp, and besieged Samaria.

And it cometh to pass afterwards, that Ben-Hadad king of Aram gathereth all his camp, and goeth up, and layeth siege to Samaria,

After this, Benhadad king of Syria gathered all his army, and went up and besieged Samaria.

And it came to pass after this, that Ben-hadad king of Syria gathered all his army, and went up, and besieged Samaria.

And it came to pass after these things, that Benadad king of Syria gathered together all his army, and went up, and besieged Samaria.

But some time later, Ben-Hadad, the king of Syria, assembled his entire army, and they went to Samaria and surrounded the city for a long time.

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Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Kings 6:24

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Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

2 Kings 6:24 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וַֽ/יְהִי֙ אַחֲרֵי כֵ֔ן וַ/יִּקְבֹּ֛ץ בֶּן הֲדַ֥ד מֶֽלֶךְ אֲרָ֖ם אֶת כָּל מַחֲנֵ֑/הוּ וַ/יַּ֕עַל וַ/יָּ֖צַר עַל שֹׁמְרֽוֹן
וַֽ/יְהִי֙ hâyâh H1961 to be Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
אַחֲרֵי ʼachar H310 after Prep
כֵ֔ן kên H3651 right Adv
וַ/יִּקְבֹּ֛ץ qâbats H6908 to gather Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
בֶּן Ben-Hădad H1130 Ben-hadad N-proper
הֲדַ֥ד Ben-Hădad H1130 Ben-hadad N-proper
מֶֽלֶךְ melek H4428 King's N-ms
אֲרָ֖ם ʼĂrâm H758 Aram N-proper
אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM
כָּל kôl H3605 all N-ms
מַחֲנֵ֑/הוּ machăneh H4264 camp N-cs | Suff
וַ/יַּ֕עַל ʻâlâh H5927 to ascend Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
וַ/יָּ֖צַר tsûwr H6696 to confine Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
עַל ʻal H5921 upon Prep
שֹׁמְרֽוֹן Shômᵉrôwn H8111 Samaria N-proper
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Kings 6:24

וַֽ/יְהִי֙ hâyâh H1961 "to be" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
אַחֲרֵי ʼachar H310 "after" Prep
Achar means backwards or after, used to describe something that happens later or in the rear. It is used in various senses in the Bible, including in 1 Kings 12:18.
Definition: 1) after the following part, behind (of place), hinder, afterwards (of time) 1a) as an adverb 1a1) behind (of place) 1a2) afterwards (of time) 1b) as a preposition 1b1) behind, after (of place) 1b2) after (of time) 1b3) besides 1c) as a conjunction 1c) after that 1d) as a substantive 1d1) hinder part 1e) with other prepositions 1e1) from behind 1e2) from following after
Usage: Occurs in 664 OT verses. KJV: after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 18:2; Joshua 8:14.
כֵ֔ן kên H3651 "right" Adv
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means 'so' or 'thus', often used to show agreement or confirmation, like in the book of Genesis. It can also mean 'rightly' or 'justly', as in doing something the correct way. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: adv adj 1) right, just, honest, true, veritable 1a) right, just, honest 1b) correct 1c) true, veritable
Usage: Occurs in 737 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] after that (this, -ward, -wards), as... as, [phrase] (for-) asmuch as yet, [phrase] be (for which) cause, [phrase] following, howbeit, in (the) like (manner, -wise), [idiom] the more, right, (even) so, state, straightway, such (thing), surely, [phrase] there (where) -fore, this, thus, true, well, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:7; Exodus 37:19; Judges 7:17.
וַ/יִּקְבֹּ֛ץ qâbats H6908 "to gather" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To gather or collect people or things, like when the Israelites assembled in the book of Numbers. It's about bringing things or people together in one place.
Definition: 1) to gather, assemble 1a) (Qal) to gather, collect, assemble 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to assemble, gather 1b2) to be gathered 1c) (Piel) to gather, gather together, take away 1d) (Pual) to be gathered together 1e) (Hithpael) to gather together, be gathered together
Usage: Occurs in 121 OT verses. KJV: assemble (selves), gather (bring) (together, selves together, up), heap, resort, [idiom] surely, take up. See also: Genesis 41:35; Proverbs 28:8; Psalms 41:7.
בֶּן Ben-Hădad H1130 "Ben-hadad" N-proper
Ben-Hadad was a Syrian king during the Divided Monarchy, mentioned in 2 Kings 13:3. His name means son of the false god Hadad. He was a contemporary of Asa of Judah.
Definition: A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Ki.13.3; son of: Hazael (H2371) § Ben-hadad = "son of [the false god] Hadad" 1) the king of Syria, contemporary with Asa of Judah 2) the son of Hazael, also king of Syria
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: Benhadad. See also: 1 Kings 15:18; 1 Kings 20:32; Jeremiah 49:27.
הֲדַ֥ד Ben-Hădad H1130 "Ben-hadad" N-proper
Ben-Hadad was a Syrian king during the Divided Monarchy, mentioned in 2 Kings 13:3. His name means son of the false god Hadad. He was a contemporary of Asa of Judah.
Definition: A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Ki.13.3; son of: Hazael (H2371) § Ben-hadad = "son of [the false god] Hadad" 1) the king of Syria, contemporary with Asa of Judah 2) the son of Hazael, also king of Syria
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: Benhadad. See also: 1 Kings 15:18; 1 Kings 20:32; Jeremiah 49:27.
מֶֽלֶךְ melek H4428 "King's" N-ms
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
אֲרָ֖ם ʼĂrâm H758 "Aram" N-proper
Aram refers to a region in the Bible, also known as Syria, and its people, the Arameans. The grandson of Nahor, an ancestor of Jesus, was also named Aram. The prophet Isaiah wrote about Aram and its relationship with Israel in Isaiah 7:1-9.
Definition: Aram or Arameans = "exalted" Aram or Syrian nation Another name of pad.dan (פַּדָּן "Paddan" H6307)
Usage: Occurs in 118 OT verses. KJV: Aram, Mesopotamia, Syria, Syrians. See also: Genesis 10:22; 2 Kings 8:28; Isaiah 7:1.
אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
כָּל kôl H3605 "all" N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
מַחֲנֵ֑/הוּ machăneh H4264 "camp" N-cs | Suff
This word refers to a camp or army, like the Israelites' encampments in the wilderness. It can also mean a group of people or animals. The KJV translates it as 'army, band, or camp'.
Definition: 1) encampment, camp 1a) camp, place of encampment 1b) camp of armed host, army camp 1c) those who encamp, company, body of people
Usage: Occurs in 190 OT verses. KJV: army, band, battle, camp, company, drove, host, tents. See also: Genesis 32:3; Joshua 6:18; Psalms 27:3.
וַ/יַּ֕עַל ʻâlâh H5927 "to ascend" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To ascend means to go up or rise, like the smoke from an altar going up to God, as described in many Bible passages, including Leviticus and Psalms.
Definition: : rise/go 1) to go up, ascend, climb 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go up, ascend 1a2) to meet, visit, follow, depart, withdraw, retreat 1a3) to go up, come up (of animals) 1a4) to spring up, grow, shoot forth (of vegetation) 1a5) to go up, go up over, rise (of natural phenomenon) 1a6) to come up (before God) 1a7) to go up, go up over, extend (of boundary) 1a8) to excel, be superior to 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be taken up, be brought up, be taken away 1b2) to take oneself away 1b3) to be exalted 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to bring up, cause to ascend or climb, cause to go up 1c2) to bring up, bring against, take away 1c3) to bring up, draw up, train 1c4) to cause to ascend 1c5) to rouse, stir up (mentally) 1c6) to offer, bring up (of gifts) 1c7) to exalt 1c8) to cause to ascend, offer 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be carried away, be led up 1d2) to be taken up into, be inserted in 1d3) to be offered 1e) (Hithpael) to lift oneself
Usage: Occurs in 817 OT verses. KJV: arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 34:4; Joshua 7:6.
וַ/יָּ֖צַר tsûwr H6696 "to confine" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To form or shape something, like a potter molds clay, as in Isaiah 29:16.
Definition: 1) to bind, besiege, confine, cramp 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to confine, secure 1a2) to shut in, beseige 1a3) to shut up, enclose
Usage: Occurs in 36 OT verses. KJV: adversary, assault, beset, besiege, bind (up), cast, distress, fashion, fortify, inclose, lay siege, put up in bags. See also: Exodus 23:22; 2 Kings 18:9; Psalms 139:5.
עַל ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
שֹׁמְרֽוֹן Shômᵉrôwn H8111 "Samaria" N-proper
Samaria means watch mountain, a region in northern Palestine and the capital city of the northern kingdom of Israel, located near Jerusalem. It was the kingdom of the 10 tribes of Israel after Solomon's death.
Definition: § Samaria = "watch mountain" 1) the region of northern Palestine associated with the northern kingdom of the 10 tribes of Israel which split from the kingdom after the death of Solomon during the reign of his son Rehoboam and were ruled by Jeroboam 2) the capital city of the northern kingdom of Israel located 30 miles (50 km) north of Jerusalem and 6 miles (10 km) northwest of Shechem
Usage: Occurs in 101 OT verses. KJV: Samaria. See also: 1 Kings 13:32; 2 Kings 17:5; Isaiah 7:9.

Study Notes — 2 Kings 6:24

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 1 Kings 20:1 Now Ben-hadad king of Aram assembled his entire army. Accompanied by thirty-two kings with their horses and chariots, he marched up, besieged Samaria, and waged war against it.
2 1 Kings 22:31 Now the king of Aram had ordered his thirty-two chariot commanders, “Do not fight with anyone, small or great, except the king of Israel.”
3 Ecclesiastes 9:14 There was a small city with few men. A mighty king came against it, surrounded it, and built large siege ramps against it.
4 Deuteronomy 28:52 They will besiege all the cities throughout your land, until the high and fortified walls in which you trust have fallen. They will besiege all your cities throughout the land that the LORD your God has given you.
5 2 Kings 17:5 Then the king of Assyria invaded the whole land, marched up to Samaria, and besieged it for three years.
6 2 Kings 18:9 In the fourth year of Hezekiah’s reign, which was the seventh year of the reign of Hoshea son of Elah over Israel, Shalmaneser king of Assyria marched against Samaria and besieged it.
7 2 Kings 25:1 So in the ninth year of Zedekiah’s reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his entire army. They encamped outside the city and built a siege wall all around it.

2 Kings 6:24 Summary

[This verse tells us that Ben-hadad, the king of Aram, gathered his army and marched to surround the city of Samaria, which would lead to a great famine, as seen in 2 Kings 6:25. This event is a reminder that God is sovereign over all nations and their rulers, as seen in Daniel 4:17. We can trust that God is in control, even in difficult circumstances, and that He is working everything out for our good, as promised in Romans 8:28. As we face our own challenges, we can look to this verse and remember to trust in God's goodness and sovereignty.]

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Ben-hadad king of Aram and why is he important in this verse?

Ben-hadad king of Aram is the ruler of a neighboring kingdom who is at odds with Israel, as seen in 2 Kings 6:24, and his actions have significant consequences for the people of Samaria, similar to the way God uses foreign leaders to judge His people in Isaiah 10:5-6.

What does it mean for Ben-hadad to 'besiege Samaria' in this verse?

To besiege a city means to surround it with an army and cut off its supplies, which can lead to famine and suffering, as seen in the following verses, 2 Kings 6:25, where a great famine occurs in Samaria.

Is this event in 2 Kings 6:24 a punishment from God for Israel's sins?

While the Bible does not explicitly state that this event is a punishment from God, it is clear from other passages, such as Deuteronomy 28:49-57, that God can use foreign armies to discipline His people for their disobedience.

How does this verse relate to the larger story of Israel's history?

This verse is part of a larger narrative of Israel's interactions with its neighboring kingdoms, as seen in 1 Kings 19:15, where God tells Elijah to anoint Hazael king of Aram, indicating that God is sovereign over all nations and their rulers.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways that I can trust God in the midst of difficult circumstances, like the siege of Samaria?
  2. How can I apply the principle of trusting God's sovereignty, as seen in this verse, to my own life and challenges?
  3. What are some ways that God might be using difficult circumstances in my life to draw me closer to Himself, as He did with the Israelites in 2 Kings 6:24?
  4. How can I be a source of hope and encouragement to others who are going through difficult times, just as the king of Israel was called to be for his people?

Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 6:24

And it came to pass after this, that Benhadad king of Syria gathered all his host,.... Still retaining a grudge and enmity against Israel, and not at all softened by the kind and humane treatment his

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 6:24

And it came to pass after this, that Ben-ha'dad king of Syria gathered all his host, and went up, and besieged Samaria. Ben-hadad ... besieged Samaria.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Kings 6:24

He whom Ahab wickedly and foolishly spared, , who now comes to requite Ahab’ s kindness, and to fulfil that Divine prediction. Ben-hadad was a name very frequent among the kings of Syria, ,24, if not common to them all. See .

Trapp's Commentary on 2 Kings 6:24

2 Kings 6:24 And it came to pass after this, that Benhadad king of Syria gathered all his host, and went up, and besieged Samaria.Ver. 24. And went up, and besieged Samaria.] Which city now smarted for Ahab’ s foolish pity.

Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Kings 6:24

(24-7:20) THE SIEGE OF SAMARIA AND THE FAMINE. THE , AS BY ELISHA.(24) After this.—Afterwards. The term plainly implies chronological sequence. Ben-hadad.—Ben-hadad II., who had besieged Samaria in the reign of Ahab (1 Kings 20:1). He is mentioned on the monuments of Shalmaneser II., now in the British Museum, under the designation of Rammânu-hidri, or idri. Now, as the Assyrians identified their god Rammûnu (Rimmon) with the Syrian deity, Adad, Addu, or Dadi, this title might be equivalent to Adad-idri, or Addu-idri. Further, in three contract tablets in the reign of Nabonidus, Mr. Pinches has read the names Bin-Addu-natânu and Bin-Addu-amara—i.e., “Bin-Addu gave,” and “Bin-Adâu commanded.” Bin (or, Tur)-Addu, “son of Addu,” is clearly the name of a god, like abal Esarra, “son of Esarra,” in the name Tiglath Pileser; and is, in fact, the Assyrian equivalent of Ben-hadad. The Syrian king’s full name, therefore, would seem to have been Ben-hadad-idri, “The son of Hadad is my help” (Syriac adar, “to help”). (Comp. the name Hadad-ezer.) The Assyrians omitted the first element, the Hebrews the last.

Cambridge Bible on 2 Kings 6:24

24–31. Benhadad besieges Samaria. The city suffers terribly from famine, and the king threatens to put Elisha to death (Not in Chronicles) 24. Ben-hadad] Probably the same king who was defeated and submitted himself to Ahab (1 Kings 20). went up, and besieged Samaria Josephus explains that Jehoram did not feel himself a match for Benhadad, and so shut himself up in Samaria, relying for protection on the security of its walls.

Barnes' Notes on 2 Kings 6:24

After this - Perhaps some years after - when the miracle and the kind treatment were alike forgotten.

Whedon's Commentary on 2 Kings 6:24

THE SIEGE OF SAMARIA AND THE GREAT FAMINE ENDED, 2 Kings 6 :2 Kings 6:24 to 2 Kings 7:20. 24. After this — Sometime after the events recorded in the preceding section.

Sermons on 2 Kings 6:24

SermonDescription
Brad Allen When Spiritual Famine Invades the Church by Brad Allen In this sermon, the preacher shares a story about a miraculous healing of an old Chinese lady named Sister Keo who had not taken a step in 20 years. This event serves as a reminder
Phil Beach Jr. The Heavens Are Opening - Ii Kings 6-7 by Phil Beach Jr. Phil Beach Jr. emphasizes the importance of seeking God's presence and the shelter He provides amidst life's challenges, drawing parallels from the story in 2 Kings 6-7. He highlig
Chuck Smith 12. Ventures of Faith by Chuck Smith Chuck Smith emphasizes the significance of stepping out in faith to discover God's will, illustrating that God can work through anyone willing to venture forth. He warns against pr
Denis Lyle A Most Unlikely Evangelist by Denis Lyle Denis Lyle preaches about the story of a most unlikely evangelist, a little maid in Naaman's house, who despite being a captive, displayed unwavering faith, compassion, and confide
Ian Paisley The Power of the Holy Spirit of God by Ian Paisley In this sermon, the preacher reflects on the story of the poor wise man from Ecclesiastes chapter 9, verses 14 to 18. The preacher emphasizes that although the world may see the po
Peter Bisset Nebuchadnezzars Dream by Peter Bisset In this sermon, the preacher draws parallels between the story of Daniel and the plight of sinners who are under the sentence of death. He emphasizes that it doesn't matter what me
Raymond Golsworthy The Little City by Raymond Golsworthy Raymond Golsworthy preaches on the profound message found in Ecclesiastes 9:14-15, using the analogy of a small city besieged by a great king to illustrate the essence of the gospe

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