# Overview 2 Kings Chapter 13 presents the reigns of #Jehoahaz and his son #Joash, kings of #Israel. Under Jehoahaz, Israel suffers under the oppression of #Hazael, king of #Aram, due to their continued idolatry, which provokes the anger of the #LORD. Jehoahaz seeks the LORD's favor, and God grants Israel a deliverer, allowing them some respite from oppression, though they remained weakened. This chapter highlights the persistent struggle of Israel with sin and their reliance on God's mercy for deliverance. Despite the LORD's compassion, the people persist in the sins of #Jeroboam, maintaining the presence of the #Asherah pole in #Samaria. The chapter then details the beginning of Joash’s reign and his interactions with the prophet #Elisha. Elisha, on his deathbed, instructs Joash in a symbolic act of warfare against #Aram, prophesying limited victory due to Joash's lack of full obedience and faith, illustrated by the striking of the ground only three times. After Elisha's death, an extraordinary event occurs when a dead man is revived upon contact with Elisha's bones, demonstrating God's enduring power. The chapter concludes with further military engagements, where Joash manages to reclaim some of the cities that Aram had taken from Israel, partially fulfilling Elisha's prophecy, yet still underscoring the incomplete nature of Israel's repentance and restoration. ## Theological Insights 2 Kings 13 provides significant theological insights into the nature of God's faithfulness, mercy, and the consequences of disobedience. The chapter recounts the reigns of #Jehoahaz and #Jehoash, kings of #Israel, and their interactions with the prophet #Elisha. 1. **God's Mercy and Covenant Faithfulness**: Despite the persistent idolatry and rebellion of the kings of Israel, God's covenant with #Abraham, #Isaac, and #Jacob remains intact. In 2 Kings 13:23, the text underscores God's reluctance to destroy Israel entirely because of His covenant faithfulness. This highlights the unwavering mercy of God, who continues to offer grace and deliverance even when His people are unfaithful. 2. **The Role of Prophets**: The chapter illustrates the critical role of prophets in guiding and advising the kings of Israel. #Elisha's interaction with #Jehoash (2 Kings 13:14-19) serves as a reminder that God communicates His will and assures victory through His prophets. Elisha's instructions and the subsequent partial victory illustrate the importance of obedience to God's word, as partial faith and incomplete obedience can limit divine blessing. 3. **Divine Deliverance**: The cyclical pattern of disobedience, oppression, and deliverance is evident in this chapter. #Jehoahaz's plea to the Lord in 2 Kings 13:4-5 shows that even amidst judgment, God is willing to raise a deliverer for those who seek Him. This reflects the theme of repentance and redemption that runs throughout the #OldTestament, where God responds to genuine repentance with mercy. 4. **The Power of God Beyond Death**: The miraculous event in 2 Kings 13:20-21, where a dead man is revived upon touching #Elisha's bones, signifies the enduring power of God's Spirit that was upon the prophet. It serves as a testament to the belief in the power of God extending beyond the physical life of His servants, foreshadowing the resurrection power that is fully revealed in the #NewTestament through [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]]. 5. **Human Kingship vs. Divine Sovereignty**: The chapter reflects the limitations of human kingship without reliance on God. The repeated failures of the kings of Israel and their reliance on military might rather than divine guidance emphasize the superiority of God's sovereignty. It is a reminder that true kingship belongs to God alone, and human leaders are called to submit to His authority. Through these insights, 2 Kings 13 not only recounts historical events but also challenges readers to reflect on the steadfastness of God's promises, the necessity of obedience, and the hope of redemption even in times of spiritual decline. ## Thematic Connections ### The Cycle of Sin and Deliverance 2 Kings Chapter 13 highlights the recurring theme of the cycle of sin, oppression, and deliverance in the history of #Israel. Despite the continued sin of #Jehoahaz and the people, God listens to their cries and sends a deliverer, reminiscent of the cycles seen in [[Judges/Judges Chapter 2|Judges]] where Israel repeatedly falls into sin, faces oppression, cries out to God, and is delivered by a judge. This theme underscores God's patience and mercy, continually offering redemption despite persistent disobedience. ### The Power of a Righteous Leader In this chapter, the presence and influence of the prophet #Elisha continue to demonstrate the theme of the power and impact of a righteous leader. Elisha's interaction with #Joash, king of #Israel, particularly in the symbolic act of shooting arrows, serves as a reminder of the influence a prophet can have on the nation's fate. This theme is echoed in the stories of other prophets like [[1 Samuel/1 Samuel Chapter 12|Samuel]], who interceded for Israel, and [[1 Kings/1 Kings Chapter 18|Elijah]], who confronted idolatry and turned the people back to God. ### God's Faithfulness to His Covenant The chapter emphasizes God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant with #Abraham, #Isaac, and #Jacob, despite Israel's unfaithfulness. God’s decision not to destroy Israel completely, as mentioned in 2 Kings 13:23, reflects His enduring commitment to His promises. This theme is consistently seen throughout the Bible, such as in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 12|Genesis 12:1-3]] where God establishes His covenant with Abraham, and in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 32|Exodus 32:13]] when Moses appeals to God's promise during Israel's rebellion. ### The Reality of Death and Legacy The death of Elisha in this chapter brings forward the theme of mortality and the legacy left behind by God's servants. Elisha’s final miracle, where his bones bring a man back to life, signifies that God's power transcends human life and death, and that the influence of God's prophets continues beyond their earthly existence. This theme parallels the story of [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 34|Moses]]’ death, where his leadership legacy continued through #Joshua, and the impact of [[John/John Chapter 12|Jesus]], whose legacy and teachings extend beyond His crucifixion. ### The Symbolism of Objects and Actions The symbolic acts performed by Elisha, such as the striking of the ground with arrows, highlights the theme of the significance of symbols and actions in conveying divine messages. These actions serve as prophetic acts that symbolize God's intentions and promises, much like [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 9|Noah's rainbow]] as a sign of God's covenant or [[Ezekiel/Ezekiel Chapter 4|Ezekiel]]’s symbolic actions that were messages for Israel. This theme illustrates how God communicates profound truths through tangible symbols and actions. ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### The Faithfulness of God Despite Unfaithfulness In 2 Kings 13, we see the faithfulness of God to the covenant made with #Israel despite the unfaithfulness of the people and their kings. The chapter highlights God's mercy as he listens to the cries of #Jehoahaz and provides deliverance from the oppression of #Aram, fulfilling His promise to never abandon His people entirely. This reflects the prophetic assurances seen in [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 4|Deuteronomy 4:31]], where it is declared that God will not forget the covenant with the fathers, showing His enduring mercy despite Israel's disobedience. ### The Promise of Deliverance The chapter recounts how #Jehoash, king of Israel, visits the dying prophet #Elisha. Elisha's prophecy in verses 17-19, through the symbolic act of shooting an arrow, signifies the Lord's deliverance and victory over Aram. This act serves as a fulfillment of God's promise of deliverance, reminiscent of other divine assurances of victory over oppressors found in the scriptures, such as in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 14|Exodus 14:14]], where God fights for Israel. ### The Continuing Line of Prophetic Ministry #Elisha's death in 2 Kings 13:20-21 is marked by a miraculous event where a man comes back to life upon touching Elisha's bones. This miracle fulfills the prophetic role of Elisha as a bearer of God's life-giving power, pointing forward to the resurrection power revealed in [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]], who declared Himself the resurrection and the life in [[John/John Chapter 11|John 11:25]]. The continued prophetic activity and miraculous outcomes even after Elisha's death underscore the enduring influence of God's prophetic word and power, exemplified in the ministry of Jesus. ### The Endurance of David's House Although 2 Kings 13 primarily deals with the northern kingdom of Israel, the narrative implicitly relates to the enduring covenant with the house of #David, as God remembers His promises despite the divided kingdom's turmoil. This is in line with the prophetic assurances of a future restoration and the promise of a righteous branch from David's line, as seen in [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 23|Jeremiah 23:5-6]]. This foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment in the #Messiah, who would come to restore and reign over God's people eternally. ## Verses - **2 Kings 13:1** - "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." - **2 Kings 13:2** - "But he did what was evil in the Lord’s sight. He followed the example of Jeroboam son of Nebat, continuing the sins that Jeroboam had led Israel to commit." - **2 Kings 13:3** - "So the Lord was very angry with Israel, and he allowed King Hazael of Aram and his son Ben-hadad to defeat them repeatedly." - **2 Kings 13:4** - "Then Jehoahaz prayed for the Lord’s help, and the Lord heard his prayer, for he could see how severely the king of Aram was oppressing Israel." - **2 Kings 13:5** - "So the Lord provided someone to rescue the Israelites from the tyranny of the Arameans. Then Israel lived in safety again as they had in former days." - **2 Kings 13:6** - "But they continued to sin, following the evil example of Jeroboam. They also allowed the Asherah pole in Samaria to remain standing." - **2 Kings 13:7** - "Finally, Jehoahaz’s army was reduced to 50 charioteers, 10 chariots, and 10,000 foot soldiers. The king of Aram had killed the others, trampling them like dust under his feet." - **2 Kings 13:8** - "The rest of the events in Jehoahaz’s reign, everything he did and the extent of his power, are recorded in The Book of the History of the Kings of Israel." - **2 Kings 13:9** - "When Jehoahaz died, he was buried in Samaria. Then his son Jehoash became the next king." - **2 Kings 13:10** - "Jehoash son of Jehoahaz began to rule over Israel in the thirty-seventh year of King Joash’s reign in Judah. He reigned in Samaria sixteen years." - **2 Kings 13:11** - "But he did what was evil in the Lord’s sight. He refused to turn from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had led Israel to commit." - **2 Kings 13:12** - "The rest of the events in Jehoash’s reign, everything he did and the extent of his power, including his war with King Amaziah of Judah, are recorded in The Book of the History of the Kings of Israel." - **2 Kings 13:13** - "When Jehoash died, he was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel. Then his son Jeroboam II became the next king." - **2 Kings 13:14** - "When Elisha was in his last illness, King Jehoash of Israel visited him and wept over him. 'My father! My father! I see the chariots and charioteers of Israel!' he cried." - **2 Kings 13:15** - "Elisha told him, 'Get a bow and some arrows.' And the king did as he was told." - **2 Kings 13:16** - "Elisha told him, 'Put your hand on the bow,' and Elisha laid his own hands on the king’s hands." - **2 Kings 13:17** - "'Open that eastern window,' he said. And he opened it. Then he said, 'Shoot!' So he shot an arrow. Elisha proclaimed, 'This is the Lord’s arrow, an arrow of victory over Aram, for you will completely conquer the Arameans at Aphek.'" - **2 Kings 13:18** - "Then he said, 'Now pick up the other arrows and strike them against the ground.' So the king picked them up and struck the ground three times." - **2 Kings 13:19** - "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 it was entirely destroyed. Now you will be victorious only three times.'" - **2 Kings 13:20** - "Then Elisha died and was buried. Groups of Moabite raiders used to invade the land each spring." - **2 Kings 13:21** - "Once when some Israelites were burying a man, they spied a band of these raiders. So they hastily threw the corpse into the tomb of Elisha and fled. But as soon as the body touched Elisha’s bones, the dead man revived and jumped to his feet!" - **2 Kings 13:22** - "King Hazael of Aram had oppressed Israel during the entire reign of King Jehoahaz." - **2 Kings 13:23** - "But the Lord was gracious and merciful 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." - **2 Kings 13:24** - "King Hazael of Aram died, and his son Ben-hadad became the next king." - **2 Kings 13:25** - "Then Jehoash son of Jehoahaz recaptured from Ben-hadad son of Hazael the towns that had been taken from Jehoahaz’s father, Jehoahaz. Jehoash defeated Ben-hadad on three occasions, and he recovered the Israelite towns." ### Cross-References by Chapter - **Jehoahaz** - [[2 Kings/2 Kings Chapter 10]] - **Jehoash** - [[2 Kings/2 Kings Chapter 14]] - **Jeroboam** - [[1 Kings/1 Kings Chapter 12]] - **Elisha** - [[2 Kings/2 Kings Chapter 2]], [[2 Kings/2 Kings Chapter 6]] - **Hazael** - [[2 Kings/2 Kings Chapter 8]] - **Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob** - [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 12]], [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 25]], [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 28]]