Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 8
The principal event of Ahaziah’s short rule was a battle for control of Ramoth-Gilead. Ahaziah was king of Judah; he fought this battle to support his mother’s brother, Joram, who was the king of northern and central Israel. So Ahaziah’s own country, Judah, would not actually benefit from success in this battle. Rather, Ahaziah fought it because his relatives urged him to send his army there (2 Chronicles 22:5)
Ramoth-Gilead was a town about 30 miles (50 kilometres) east of the river Jordan. For a long time, it had been the cause of battles between Aram (also called Syria), and the kings of northern and central Israel. The last battle there seems to be the one in which Ahab died (1 Kings 22:1-38). Aram won that battle, and it was again the enemy on this occasion.
There was now a new king in Aram, Hazael. Judah’s army was particularly strong (2 Chronicles 17:14-18). Joram believed that, with the support of that vast army from Judah, he could defeat Hazael.
It seems that both Ahaziah and Joram led their own armies in the battle. The battle was successful; Joram regained control of Ramoth-Gilead. So, Israel’s army leaders were in control over that town in 2 Kings 9:1-5. However, although Ahaziah returned home safely, Joram did not. Joram suffered injuries in the battle. His life was not in danger, but he needed time to recover. So he did not return to Samaria, his capital city. Instead he went to the palace that Ahab had built in Jezreel (1 Kings 21:1). It was probably a quieter and more pleasant place, where he could rest.
Ahaziah went to visit Joram there, because Joram was his relative. It was Ahaziah’s decision to visit him there that brought about Ahaziah’s death.
© 2025 Keith Simons
This book is in EasyEnglish Level B (2800 words), which was developed by Wycliffe Associates (UK).
April 2025
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© 2025, Keith Simons.