2 Kings 13 Commentary: The Reigns of Jehoahaz and Jehoash in Israel and Elisha’s Final Miracles

Jehoahaz’s Reign and Israel’s Oppression

Jehoahaz son of Jehu became king of Israel in Samaria in the twenty-third year of Joash king of Judah. He reigned seventeen years over the northern kingdom, continuing the dynasty that his father had established through divine appointment. His reign was marked by both spiritual failure and military weakness.

Jehoahaz did evil in the sight of the Lord and followed the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had made Israel sin. He did not turn away from these sins, continuing the pattern of idolatry that had characterized the northern kingdom since its establishment. The golden calf worship at Bethel and Dan persisted throughout his reign.

The anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel because of their persistent idolatry. God delivered them into the hand of Hazael king of Syria and Ben-Hadad son of Hazael continually. This divine judgment came through foreign oppression, as Syria dominated Israel throughout most of Jehoahaz’s reign.

The Syrian oppression was so severe that Hazael reduced Israel’s army to almost nothing. The king was left with only fifty horsemen, ten chariots, and ten thousand foot soldiers. The rest were destroyed and made like dust at threshing, showing the completeness of Syria’s military dominance over Israel.

Jehoahaz’s Prayer and Limited Deliverance

Jehoahaz sought the Lord’s favor when the oppression became unbearable. The king prayed because he saw how severely the king of Syria was oppressing Israel. This turn to prayer represented a departure from his usual spiritual indifference and showed desperation born of military helplessness.

The Lord listened to Jehoahaz’s prayer because He saw the oppression of Israel and how the king of Syria was afflicting them. God’s compassion moved Him to respond despite Israel’s spiritual unfaithfulness. Divine mercy was extended even to those who had persistently rebelled against His commands.

God gave Israel a savior who delivered them from Syrian control. This deliverer was probably an Assyrian king whose campaigns against Syria relieved pressure on Israel. The identity of the specific savior was less important than the divine intervention that brought relief from oppression.

The children of Israel were able to dwell in their tents as before, returning to normal life after years of Syrian domination. However, they did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam’s house but continued in idolatry. Even the Asherah pole remained standing in Samaria, showing their spiritual obstinacy despite divine deliverance.

Jehoash Becomes King of Israel

Jehoash son of Jehoahaz became king of Israel in Samaria in the thirty-seventh year of Joash king of Judah. He reigned sixteen years, continuing his father’s dynasty but also inheriting the spiritual and political problems that had plagued the northern kingdom throughout its history.

Like his father and grandfather before him, Jehoash did evil in the sight of the Lord. He did not turn away from all the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had made Israel sin, but walked in them. The pattern of spiritual failure continued despite the lessons that should have been learned from previous judgments.

The persistence of idolatry in Israel despite repeated divine judgments revealed the depth of spiritual corruption in the northern kingdom. Each generation of kings maintained the same rebellious practices that had brought suffering on their predecessors. Political succession brought no spiritual reformation.

Elisha’s Final Illness and King’s Visit

Elisha became sick with the illness from which he would die. The great prophet who had performed numerous miracles and guided Israel through many crises was approaching the end of his earthly ministry. His impending death represented the end of an era in Israel’s prophetic history.

Jehoash king of Israel went down to visit the dying prophet and wept over him. The king’s emotional response showed recognition of Elisha’s importance to the nation, even though the royal house had never fully embraced the prophet’s spiritual message. Political leaders recognized prophetic value even when rejecting prophetic demands.

The king cried out, “O my father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” These were the same words Elisha had spoken when Elijah was taken up to heaven. The phrase recognized the prophet as Israel’s true spiritual defense, more valuable than military might.

The Arrow of Victory Prophecy

Elisha instructed the king to take a bow and arrows, then told him to put his hand on the bow. The prophet placed his own hands on the king’s hands, creating a symbolic connection between divine power and royal action. This physical contact represented the transmission of prophetic authority to accomplish God’s purposes.

The prophet commanded Jehoash to open the east window and shoot an arrow toward Syria. As the king shot the arrow, Elisha declared it to be “the arrow of the Lord’s deliverance and the arrow of deliverance from Syria.” The prophetic act symbolized future military victory over Israel’s oppressors.

Elisha prophesied that Jehoash would attack the Syrians at Aphek until he had destroyed them completely. This specific prophecy promised decisive victory over the enemy that had dominated Israel for so long. The location and completeness of the victory were both divinely predetermined.

The Test of the King’s Determination

Elisha then told the king to take the arrows and strike the ground with them. Jehoash struck the ground three times and then stopped. This action was intended to demonstrate the king’s faith and determination regarding the coming victories over Syria.

The man of God became angry with the king for stopping after only three strikes. Elisha explained that if Jehoash had struck five or six times, he would have defeated Syria completely and utterly. The limited striking revealed limited faith and would result in limited victory.

Because the king struck only three times, Elisha prophesied that he would defeat Syria only three times rather than achieving complete victory. This partial success would leave Syria as a continuing threat to Israel instead of eliminating the enemy permanently.

The incident revealed the connection between human faith and divine blessing. While God was willing to give complete victory, the king’s limited demonstration of faith restricted the scope of divine intervention on Israel’s behalf.

Elisha’s Death and Burial

Elisha died and was buried in a tomb that would later become the site of an extraordinary miracle. The prophet’s death marked the end of a ministry that had lasted for more than fifty years, during which he had performed numerous miracles and provided spiritual guidance to multiple kings of Israel.

The burial of Elisha was conducted with appropriate honor for a prophet who had served Israel faithfully throughout his long ministry. His tomb became a significant site, though the full significance would not be revealed until later events demonstrated the continuing power associated with the prophet even after death.

The Miracle of the Revived Corpse

In the spring of the year, bands of Moabites would invade Israel for raiding purposes. During one of these raids, some Israelites were burying a man when they spotted a band of Moabite raiders approaching. In their haste to avoid the enemies, they threw the corpse into Elisha’s tomb.

When the dead man’s body touched Elisha’s bones, he immediately revived and stood up on his feet. This miraculous resurrection demonstrated that divine power remained associated with the prophet even after his death. The miracle provided dramatic evidence of God’s continuing presence and power.

The revival of the dead man served as a sign that Elisha’s prophetic ministry continued to impact Israel even beyond the grave. The miracle encouraged faith in God’s power and reminded the people of the spiritual resources available to them through faithful servants of the Lord.

Hazael’s Continued Oppression and Limited Relief

Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel throughout all the days of Jehoahaz’s reign. The Syrian domination was comprehensive and prolonged, reducing Israel to virtual vassalage under foreign control. This oppression fulfilled divine judgment while also serving Syria’s imperial ambitions.

However, the Lord was gracious and had compassion on Israel because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Divine mercy was motivated not by Israel’s righteousness but by God’s covenant faithfulness to the patriarchs. The covenant promises provided a foundation for hope despite national failure.

God was not willing to destroy Israel completely or cast them from His presence at that time. This restraint reflected both covenant faithfulness and divine patience with rebellious people. The Lord’s long-suffering provided opportunities for repentance and restoration.

When Hazael king of Syria died, his son Ben-Hadad became king in his place. This succession provided an opportunity for Israel to recover some of their lost territory. New leadership often brought changes in foreign policy that could benefit previously oppressed nations.

Jehoash’s Limited Victories Over Syria

Jehoash son of Jehoahaz recovered from Ben-Hadad son of Hazael the cities that Hazael had taken from his father Jehoahaz by war. The new Syrian king was apparently less capable than his father, allowing Israel to regain some previously lost territory.

Jehoash defeated Ben-Hadad three times and recovered the cities of Israel. This limited success fulfilled Elisha’s prophecy about three victories over Syria, demonstrating the accuracy of prophetic words while also showing the consequences of limited faith.

The three victories provided significant relief for Israel but did not eliminate the Syrian threat completely. The partial success reflected both divine mercy in providing deliverance and divine judgment in limiting that deliverance because of spiritual unfaithfulness.

Theological Themes and Significance

Divine judgment comes through foreign oppression when God’s people persist in rebellion. The Syrian domination of Israel illustrated how spiritual unfaithfulness leads to political and military weakness that enemies can exploit.

God’s compassion responds to genuine prayer even from unfaithful leaders. Jehoahaz’s prayer for deliverance was answered despite his continued idolatry, showing that divine mercy is available to those who truly seek the Lord.

Covenant faithfulness motivates divine action beyond human merit. God’s refusal to destroy Israel completely was based on His promises to the patriarchs rather than on the nation’s righteousness or spiritual condition.

Human faith affects the extent of divine blessing. Jehoash’s limited demonstration of faith in striking the ground three times resulted in limited victory over Syria, showing the connection between spiritual commitment and divine intervention.

Prophetic power continues beyond the prophet’s lifetime. The resurrection miracle at Elisha’s tomb demonstrated that God’s power works through faithful servants even after death, encouraging ongoing faith in divine presence and intervention.

Partial obedience produces partial results in spiritual and political life. Israel’s incomplete repentance led to incomplete deliverance from foreign oppression, illustrating the importance of wholehearted commitment to God.

Practical Lessons for Modern Believers

Persistent rebellion eventually brings divine discipline through adverse circumstances. Israel’s continued idolatry resulted in Syrian oppression, warning believers that spiritual compromise leads to practical consequences.

Genuine prayer for help is heard by God even from imperfect people. Jehoahaz’s desperate prayer brought divine intervention despite his spiritual failures, encouraging believers to approach God with confidence in times of crisis.

God’s patience provides opportunities for repentance that should not be wasted. The limited deliverance given to Israel despite their continued rebellion shows divine long-suffering that calls for genuine spiritual response.

The extent of faith demonstrated affects the scope of blessing received. Jehoash’s limited faith resulted in limited victory, teaching believers that wholehearted trust in God opens the door to complete spiritual triumph.

Spiritual mentors continue to influence lives even after death. Elisha’s ongoing impact through his tomb reminds believers of the lasting effect of faithful spiritual leadership and example.

Covenant relationships provide security that transcends individual failure. God’s commitment to Israel based on promises to the patriarchs illustrates how divine faithfulness provides hope even during periods of personal spiritual failure.

Divine deliverance may come through unexpected human agents. The unnamed savior who delivered Israel from Syria shows how God can use various means to accomplish His purposes for His people.

Spiritual reformation requires more than crisis prayer. Israel’s failure to reform despite receiving deliverance warns against superficial spiritual responses that do not address underlying heart issues.

Cross References

Jehoahaz’s prayer for deliverance parallels other biblical accounts of leaders calling on God during oppression (1 Samuel 12:10-11, 2 Chronicles 33:12-13, Psalm 107:13-14).

The Syrian oppression of Israel fulfills divine warnings about the consequences of idolatry (Leviticus 26:14-17, Deuteronomy 28:25, Judges 2:14-15).

God’s compassion despite Israel’s unfaithfulness reflects His covenant faithfulness throughout Scripture (Nehemiah 9:27-28, Psalm 106:43-45, Lamentations 3:22-23).

The arrow prophecy connects to other biblical examples of symbolic prophetic acts (1 Kings 11:29-32, Jeremiah 19:1-11, Ezekiel 4:1-8).

The resurrection miracle at Elisha’s tomb anticipates greater resurrection power in the New Testament (Luke 7:14-15, John 11:43-44, Acts 9:40-41).

The connection between faith demonstration and blessing scope appears elsewhere in Scripture (Matthew 13:58, Matthew 17:20, James 1:6-7).

The divine refusal to destroy Israel completely despite judgment reflects covenant mercy (Jeremiah 30:11, Jeremiah 46:28, Romans 11:1-2).

The pattern of continued sin despite divine deliverance appears throughout biblical history (Judges 2:17-19, Nehemiah 9:26-28, Romans 1:21-25).

The death of faithful spiritual leaders marks transitions in God’s dealings with His people (Joshua 1:1-2, 1 Samuel 4:18, Acts 13:36).

Limited spiritual commitment producing limited results is a consistent biblical principle (1 Kings 20:34-43, 2 Kings 14:25-27, Revelation 3:15-16).