King of Syria from about 886 to 840 B.C. Frequently mentioned in the lives of Elijah and Elisha (1 Kgs. 19: 15, 17; 2 Kgs. 8: 8-14). He became king by murdering his master Ben-hadad (2 Kgs. 8: 15), and soon started on a war with Israel and Judah for the possession of Ramoth-gilead (2 Kgs. 8: 28-29; 2 Kgs. 9: 14-15). We learn from Assyrian inscriptions that he was attacked and defeated in Damascus by Shalmaneser, king of Assyria; but a few years later he was again strong enough to attack Israel (2 Kgs. 10: 32; 2 Kgs. 12: 17-18; 2 Kgs. 13: 3-7, 22; 2 Chr. 24: 24).