Achav, Aram, and the Battle of Qarqar/0
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Achav, Aram, and the Battle of Qarqar
Biblical Sources The logic behind Achav's foreign policy decisions is unclear.
Melakhim I 20 and 22 discuss the foreign relations between Aram and Israel during the reign of Achav.
- In Chapter 20, Ben Hadad, the king of Aram initiates war, and is defeated. He and his servants surrender, don mourning garments, and approach the Israelites in the hopes that Achav will have mercy and spare them death. Somewhat surprisingly, Achav greets him without malice, saying "הַעוֹדֶנּוּ חַי אָחִי הוּא." Ben Hadad offers to return to Achav certain Israelite cities previously conquered by Aram and the two make an alliance.1 The prophetic reaction to Achav's actions is severe, and the king is told that he will pay with his life for having sent Ben Hadad free.
- Chapter 22 tells of another battle between Aram and Israel, which takes place just three years after the two had made peace. This time, Achav is the initiator and the point of contention is apparently Aram's possession of Ramot Gilad. During the war, Acav meets his death as an archer innocently hits him by arrow, fulfilling the prophecy of Chapter 20.
