In this chapter, it is confirmed that the Lord continues to allow the enemies of Israel to defeat them because they continue to worship other gods. But, more importantly, it shows God's amazing grace and mercy. The chapter begins, “Jehoahaz son of Jehu began to rule over Israel in the twenty-third year of King Joash’s reign in Judah. He reigned in Samaria seventeen years. But he did what was evil in the Lord’s sight. He followed the example of Jeroboam son of Nebat, continuing the sins of idolatry that Jeroboam son of Nebat had led Israel to commit. So the Lord was very angry with Israel, and he allowed King Hazael of Aram and his son Ben-hadad to defeat them time after time.
Then Jehoahaz prayed for the Lord’s help, and the Lord heard his prayer. (Wow...even though, Jehoahaz has turned his back to the Lord, worshiping other gods, God still heard and acted on his prayer.) The Lord could see how terribly the king of Aram was oppressing Israel. So the Lord raised up a deliverer to rescue the Israelites from the tyranny of the Arameans. Then Israel lived in safety again as they had in former days. But they continued to sin, following the evil example of Jeroboam. They even set up an Asherah pole in Samaria. Finally, Jehoahaz’s army was reduced to fifty mounted troops, ten chariots, and ten thousand foot soldiers. The king of Aram had killed the others like they were dust under his feet. (Wow! Is this what we do? Are we praying to the Lord, getting prayers answered, and then going back to our evil ways?)
The rest of the events in Jehoahaz’s reign and all his deeds, including the extent of his power, are recorded in The Book of the History of the Kings of Israel. When Jehoahaz died, he was buried in Samaria with his ancestors. Then his son Jehoash became the next king. (2 Kings 13:1-9)
Jehoash reigned in Samaria as the king of Israel for sixteen years, and he also did what was evil in the Lord’s sight. When he died, his son Jeroboam II became the next king.
Elisha’s Final Prophecy
“When Elisha was in his last illness, King Jehoash of Israel visited him and wept over him. “My father! My father! The chariots and charioteers of Israel! He cried.
Elisha told him, “Get a bow and some arrows.” And the king did as he was told. Then Elisha told the king of Israel to put his hand on the bow, and Elisha laid his own hands on the king’s hands. Then he commanded, “Open that eastern window,” and he opened it. Then he said, “Shoot!” So he did.
Then Elisha proclaimed, “This is the Lord’s arrow, full of victory over Aram, for you will completely conquer the Arameans at Aphek. Now pick up the other arrows and strike them against the ground.” So the king picked them up and struck the ground three times. But the man of God was angry with him. “You should have struck the ground five or six times!” he exclaimed. “Then you would have beaten Aram until they were entirely destroyed. Now you will be victorious only three times.”
Then Elisha died and was buried. Groups of Moabite raiders used to invade the land each spring. Once when some Israelites were burying a man, they spied a band of these raiders. So they hastily threw the body they were burying into the tomb of Elisha. But as soon as the body touched Elisha’s bones, the dead man revived and jumped to his feet! (What? I need Elisha’s bones in my backyard!)
King Hazael of Aram had oppressed Israel during the entire reign of King Jehoahaz. But the Lord was gracious to the people of Israel, and they were not totally destroyed. He pitied them because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And to this day he still has not completely destroyed them or banished them from his presence. (Lord, thank you for your grace and mercy!) (2 Kings 13:14-23)
The chapter ends with King Jehoash, son of Jehoahaz, defeating King Ben-hadad, son of Hazael of Aram, three times, just as Elisha had prophesied.
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Help us break any curses against us with prayer and faithfulness to you. And thank you, Lord, for continually showing us grace and mercy. We love you!
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
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