2 Kings 13 Commentary

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Chart from recommended resource Jensen's Survey of the OT - used by permission
1 Kings Chart from Charles Swindoll

THE DOWNWARD SPIRAL

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Ryrie Study Bible - Borrow
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(NOTE: Many consider Amaziah and Hezekiah as "good" kings)
SEE ALSO:
ESV chart - kings of Israel - more information
ESV chart - kings of Judah - more information
Another Chart with Variable Dates for Reigns of Kings

Source: ConformingtoJesus.com

2 Kings 13:1 In the twenty-third year of Joash the son of Ahaziah, king of Judah, Jehoahaz the son of Jehu became king over Israel at Samaria, and he reigned seventeen years.

• three and twentieth year (KJV): Heb. twentieth year, and third year, 2Ki 8:26 10:36 11:4,21 
• Jehoahaz (KJV): 2Ki 10:35 

In the twenty-third year of Joash the son of Ahaziah, king of Judah, Jehoahaz the son of Jehu became king over Israel at Samaria, and he reigned seventeen years.

2 Kings 13:2 He did evil in the sight of the LORD, and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel sin; he did not turn from them.

• followed (KJV): Heb. walked after, 2Ki 13:11 10:29 1Ki 12:26-33 14:16 Ho 5:11 

He did evil in the sight of the LORD, and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel sin; he did not turn from them.

2 Kings 13:3 So the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and He gave them continually into the hand of Hazael king of Aram, and into the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael.

• and he delivered (KJV): Lev 26:17 De 4:24-27 28:25 Jud 2:14 3:8 10:7-14 Isa 10:5,6 Heb 12:29 
• Hazael (KJV): 2Ki 13:22 8:12,13 12:17 1Ki 19:17 
• Benhadad (KJV): 2Ki 13:24,25 
• all their days (KJV): Rather "all his days;" for Joash son of Jehoahaz delivered Israel from Ben-hadad. 2Ki 13:22-25 

So the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and He gave them continually into the hand of Hazael king of Aram, and into the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael.

2 Kings 13:4 Then Jehoahaz entreated the favor of the LORD, and the LORD listened to him; for He saw the oppression of Israel, how the king of Aram oppressed them.

• Jehoahaz (KJV): Nu 21:7 Jud 6:6,7 10:10 Ps 78:34 Isa 26:16 Jer 2:27 
• the Lord (KJV): 2Ki 14:26 Ge 21:17 Ex 3:7 Jud 10:15,16 2Ch 33:12,13,19 Ps 50:15 Ps 106:43,44 Jer 33:3 
• he saw (KJV): Ge 31:42 Ex 3:9 Isa 63:9 
• because the king (KJV): 2Ki 13:22 14:26 

Then Jehoahaz entreated the favor of the LORD, and the LORD listened to him; for He saw the oppression of Israel, how the king of Aram oppressed them.

2 Kings 13:5 The LORD gave Israel a deliverer, so that they escaped from under the hand of the Arameans; and the sons of Israel lived in their tents as formerly.

• a saviour (KJV): This saviour was undoubtedly Joash, whose successful wars are subsequently detailed.  Houbigant recommends to read the seventh verse after the fourth. 2Ki 13:25 14:25,27 Ne 9:27 Isa 19:20 Ob 1:21 Lu 2:11 
• beforetime (KJV): Heb. yesterday and third day, Ex 4:10 De 19:4 1Sa 19:7 1Ch 11:2 

The LORD gave Israel a deliverer, so that they escaped from under the hand of the Arameans; and the sons of Israel lived in their tents as formerly

This "deliverer" was probably the Assyrian king, Adad-nirari III (810-783 B.C.), who came to the throne during Jehoahaz's reign. Adad-nirari III attacked and crushed Damascus in 805 B.C., bringing relief to Israel from the Syrian oppression.

a deliverer. Perhaps King Adad-nirari III of Assyria, who invaded Aram at this time, enabling Israel to be free of Aramean domination. 

2 Kings 13:6 Nevertheless they did not turn away from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, with which he made Israel sin, but walked in them; and the Asherah also remained standing in Samaria.

• departed (KJV): 2Ki 13:2 10:29 17:20-23 De 32:15-18 
• walked (KJV): Heb. he walked, 1Ki 15:3 16:26 
• and there remained (KJV): Heb. and there stood, 2Ki 17:16 18:4 23:4 De 7:5 1Ki 16:33 

Nevertheless they did not turn away from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, with which he made Israel sin, but walked in them; and the Asherah also remained standing in Samaria

the Asherah. An idol of Baal's female consort. See note on Jdg 2:13. 

2 Kings 13:7 For he left to Jehoahaz of the army not more than fifty horsemen and ten chariots and 10,000 footmen, for the king of Aram had destroyed them and made them like the dust at threshing.

• fifty horsemen (KJV): 1Sa 13:6,7,15,19-23 1Ki 20:15,27 Isa 36:8 
• the king (KJV): 2Ki 8:12 10:32 
• like the dust (KJV): Ps 18:42 Isa 41:2,15,16 Joe 3:14 *marg: Am 1:3 

For he left to Jehoahaz of the army not more than fifty horsemen and ten chariots and 10,000 footmen, for the king of Aram had destroyed them and made them like the dust at threshing.

A very small army because of the wars with the Arameans. 

2 Kings 13:8 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoahaz, and all that he did and his might, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?

• 1Ki 11:4 14:19,20,29,31 
• the rest (KJV): 2Ki 10:34,35 

Now the rest of the acts of Jehoahaz, and all that he did and his might, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel

2 Kings 13:9 And Jehoahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in Samaria; and Joash his son became king in his place.  

• buried him (KJV): 2Ki 13:13 10:35 1Ki 14:13 
• Joash (KJV): 2Ki 13:10 14:8, Jehoash

And Jehoahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in Samaria; and Joash his son became king in his place

2 Kings 13:10 In the thirty-seventh year of Joash king of Judah, Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz became king over Israel in Samaria, and reigned sixteen years.

• In the thirty (KJV): Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, was associated with his father in the government two years before his death.  It is this association that is spoken of here.  Joash reigned sixteen years which include the years he reigned conjointly with his father.
• began Jehoash (KJV): "In consort with his father.  2Ki 14:1." 2Ki 13:10 

In the thirty-seventh year of Joash king of Judah, Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz became king over Israel in Samaria, and reigned sixteen years.

2 Kings 13:11 He did evil in the sight of the LORD; he did not turn away from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel sin, but he walked in them.

• he departed (KJV): 2Ki 13:2,6 3:3 10:29 

He did evil in the sight of the LORD; he did not turn away from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel sin, but he walked in them

2 Kings 13:12 Now the rest of the acts of Joash and all that he did and his might with which he fought against Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? 

• the rest (KJV): 2Ki 13:14-25 14:15,25 
• his might (KJV): 2Ki 14:8-16 2Ch 25:17-24 

Now the rest of the acts of Joash and all that he did and his might with which he fought against Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel

2 Kings 13:13 So Joash slept with his fathers, and Jeroboam sat on his throne; and Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel.

• slept (KJV): 2Sa 7:12 1Ki 1:21 2:10 11:31 
• Jeroboam (KJV): 2Ki 14:28,29 
• was buried (KJV): 2Ki 13:9 

So Joash slept with his fathers, and Jeroboam sat on his throne; and Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel.

2 Kings 13:14 When Elisha became sick with the illness of which he was to die, Joash the king of Israel came down to him and wept over him and said, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!”

• fallen sick (KJV): 2Ki 20:1 Ge 48:1  Joh 11:3 Php 2:26 
• he died (KJV): Ps 12:1 Isa 57:1 Zec 1:5 Ac 13:36 
• O my father (KJV): 2Ki 2:12 6:21 Pr 11:11 Eze 14:14 22:30 Mk 6:20 

When Elisha became sick with the illness of which he was to die, Joash the king of Israel came down to him and wept over him and said, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen

It is testimony to the long influence of Elisha, prophesying during a succession of ungodly kings, that King Joash would speak of him in this way, repeating verbatim the words that Elisha had cried out at the translation of Elijah into heaven (2 Kings 2:12). Elisha had, indeed, been a one-man army for Israel, on one occasion even leading captive the entire Syrian army (2 Kings 6:18-23), and on another putting a besieging army to route by his prophetic prayer (2 Kings 7:1-7).

Elisha was an old man at this time, and 45 years had elapsed since he had made a recorded 

2 Kings 13:15 Elisha said to him, “Take a bow and arrows.” So he took a bow and arrows.

Elisha said to him, “Take a bow and arrows.” So he took a bow and arrows.

2 Kings 13:16 Then he said to the king of Israel, “Put your hand on the bow.” And he put his hand on it, then Elisha laid his hands on the king’s hands.

• Elisha (KJV): 2Ki 4:34 Ge 49:24 Ps 144:1 

Then he said to the king of Israel, “Put your hand on the bow.” And he put his hand on it, then Elisha laid his hands on the king’s hands.

2 Kings 13:17 He said, “Open the window toward the east,” and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot!” And he shot. And he said, “The LORD’S arrow of victory, even the arrow of victory over Aram; for you will defeat the Arameans at Aphek until you have destroyed them.”

• Open (KJV): 2Ki 5:10-14 Joh 2:5-8 11:39-41 
• The arrow (KJV): This was a symbolical action, indicative of the deliverance of Israel from Syria.  It was an ancient custom to shoot an arrow or cast a spear into a country before the commencement of hostilities. Ex 4:2,17 Jud 7:9-20 2Sa 5:24 1Co 1:18 
• Aphek (KJV): 1Sa 4:1 1Ki 20:26 

He said, “Open the window toward the east,” and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot!” And he shot. And he said, “The LORD’S arrow of victory, even the arrow of victory over Aram; for you will defeat the Arameans at Aphek until you have destroyed them.

2 Kings 13:18 Then he said, “Take the arrows,” and he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground,” and he struck it three times and stopped.

• Smite (KJV): Isa 20:2-4 Eze 4:1-10 5:1-4 12:1-7 
• he smote thrice (KJV): 2Ki 4:6 Ex 17:11 

Then he said, “Take the arrows,” and he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground,” and he struck it three times and stopped

2 Kings 13:19 So the man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck five or six times, then you would have struck Aram until you would have destroyed it. But now you shall strike Aram only three times.”  

• the man of God (KJV): 2Ki 1:9-15 4:16,40 6:9 
• was wroth (KJV): Lev 10:16 Nu 16:15 Mk 3:5 10:14 
• now thou shalt (KJV): 2Ki 13:25 Mk 6:5 

So the man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck five or six times, then you would have struck Aram until you would have destroyed it. But now you shall strike Aram only three times.

 three times. Had he struck the ground more times (v. 18), Joash's conquest of Aram would have been more complete (see v. 25). 

2 Kings 13:20 Elisha died, and they buried him. Now the bands of the Moabites would invade the land in the spring of the year.

• buried him (KJV): 2Ch 24:16 Ac 8:2 
• the bands (KJV): 2Ki 5:2 6:23 24:2 
• the Moabites (KJV): 2Ki 3:5,24-27 Judges 3:12 6:3-6 

Elisha died, and they buried him. Now the bands of the Moabites would invade the land in the spring of the year.

2 Kings 13:21 As they were burying a man, behold, they saw a marauding band; and they cast the man into the grave of Elisha. And when the man touched the bones of Elisha he revived and stood up on his feet.  

• touched (KJV): 2Ki 4:35 Isa 26:19 Eze 37:1-10 Mt 27:52,53  Joh 5:25,28,29 11:44 Ac 5:15 19:12 Rev 11:11 

As they were burying a man, behold, they saw a marauding band; and they cast the man into the grave of Elisha. And when the man touched the bones of Elisha he revived and stood up on his feet

The strange miracle which occurred at Elisha's tomb must have been an astonishment to the friends of the resurrected man. The plundering Moabites must have been a surprise to the burial party, but what about a dead friend who suddenly stood up alive and well? The purpose of the miracle was (1) to confirm that God was the God of the living, and (2) to seal the witness of Elisha with the divine imprimatur.

  he revived. Lit., he lived. This miracle confirmed Elisha's promise to Joash of victory over Aram. 

 This is the third (and last in the Old Testament) of the eight recorded "resuscitations" of the dead back to life. See notes on 1 Kings 17:22 and 2 Kings 4:37.

2 Kings 13:22 Now Hazael king of Aram had oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz.

• Hazael (KJV): 2Ki 13:3-7 8:12 Ps 106:40-42 

Now Hazael king of Aram had oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz

2 Kings 13:23 But the LORD was gracious to them and had compassion on them and turned to them because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them or cast them from His presence until now.  

• the Lord (KJV): 2Ki 14:27 Ex 33:19 34:6,7 Jud 10:16 Ne 9:31 Ps 86:15 Isa 30:18,19 Jer 12:15 La 3:32 Mic 7:18,19 
• had respect (KJV): Ex 2:24,25 1Ki 8:28 
• because of his covenant (KJV): Ge 13:16,17 17:2-5,7,8 Ex 3:6,7 32:13,14 Lev 26:42 De 32:36 Ne 9:32 Ps 105:8 Mic 7:20 Lu 1:54,55,72,73 
• neither cast he (KJV): 2Ki 17:18 24:20 Ps 51:11 Mt 25:41 2Th 1:9 
• presence (KJV): Heb. face, Ge 6:3 

But the LORD was gracious to them and had compassion on them and turned to them because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them or cast them from His presence until now.

2 Kings 13:24 When Hazael king of Aram died, Ben-hadad his son became king in his place.

• Hazael (KJV): Ps 125:3 Lu 18:7 

When Hazael king of Aram died, Ben-hadad his son became king in his place.

2 Kings 13:25 Then Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz took again from the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael the cities which he had taken in war from the hand of Jehoahaz his father. Three times Joash defeated him and recovered the cities of Israel.

• took again (KJV): Heb. returned and took, Three times. 2Ki 13:18,19 

Then Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz took again from the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael the cities which he had taken in war from the hand of Jehoahaz his father. Three times Joash defeated him and recovered the cities of Israel.

The fulfillment of Elisha's prophecy saw Jehoash of Israel (798-782 B.C.) recover all the cities that Damascus had taken from Israel.