עמוס, פרק א׳, פסוק ד׳

A severe divine judgment is destined to strike the center of the Aramean kingdom in Damascus, bringing absolute ruin to the symbols of its royal power. God will send a powerful enemy, acting as a consuming fire, to completely burn and destroy the nation [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון].

This devastation specifically targets the kingdom's rulers, Hazael and Ben-Hadad [רש״י, רד״ק]. Commentators offer different perspectives on the historical relationship between these two figures. One approach suggests that Hazael was an army commander who seized control of the government, with the kingdom ultimately taking his name, while Ben-Hadad was the ruler who preceded him [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Another perspective argues that Ben-Hadad was actually Hazael's son and successor, who constructed magnificent palaces around his father's royal estate [מלבי״ם]. Furthermore, the royal house of Hazael can represent the entire ongoing dynasty, extending down to his grandsons, such as Rezin, who would eventually fall to the king of Assyria [אבן עזרא].

The impending destruction will unfold in a highly unusual way, defying the normal patterns of warfare. Typically, an invading army first captures the surrounding countryside, then breaches the city walls, and only at the very end reaches the king's palace. In this case, however, the order is completely reversed. God will direct the disaster straight into the center of power, striking the royal house of Hazael first. Only after the core of the government falls will the devastation spread outward to consume the surrounding palaces of Ben-Hadad [מלבי״ם].