2 Kings 13

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Chapter Overview

2 Kings 13 is a historical narrative chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of fellowship, holiness, truth. Written during the divided and exilic periods (c. 853-560 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: The divided kingdoms faced threats from rising empires: Assyria and later Babylon.

The chapter can be divided into several sections:

  1. Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
  2. Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
  3. Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
  4. Verses 21-25: Conclusion and application

This chapter is significant because it foreshadows Christ's work through typology and prophetic elements. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within 2 Kings and its broader place in the scriptural canon.

Jehoahaz's Reign in Israel

1 In the three and twentieth year of Joash the son of Ahaziah king of Judah Jehoahaz the son of Jehu began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned seventeen years.

2 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORDLord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai). When 'LORD' appears in small capitals, it represents the Tetragrammaton YHWH (יְהוָה), God's personal covenant name meaning 'I AM.' When 'Lord' appears normally, it's Adonai (אֲדֹנָי), meaning 'my Lord,' emphasizing sovereignty., and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom. Creation: 1 Kings 14:16

3 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he delivered them into the hand of Hazael king of Syria, and into the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael, all their days. References Lord: Judges 2:14. Kingdom: 2 Kings 12:17. Parallel theme: 1 Kings 19:17

4 And Jehoahaz besought the LORD, and the LORD hearkened unto him: for he saw the oppression of Israel, because the king of Syria oppressed them. References Lord: 2 Kings 14:26, Exodus 3:7, Numbers 21:7. References Israel: Exodus 3:9. Parallel theme: Genesis 21:17, Psalms 50:15, 78:34, Isaiah 63:9, Jeremiah 33:3 +4

5 (And the LORD gave Israel a saviour, so that they went out from under the hand of the Syrians: and the children of Israel dwelt in their tents, as beforetime. Salvation: 2 Kings 14:27, Nehemiah 9:27. References Lord: 2 Kings 14:25. References Israel: 2 Kings 13:25

6 Nevertheless they departed not from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, who made Israel sinSin: חַטָּאת (Chatta'ah). The Hebrew chatta'ah (חַטָּאת) means sin—missing the mark of God's standard. It encompasses rebellion, transgression, and falling short of divine holiness., but walked therein: and there remained the grove also in Samaria.) Creation: 2 Kings 13:2, 1 Kings 16:33

7 Neither did he leave of the people to Jehoahaz but fifty horsemen, and ten chariots, and ten thousand footmen; for the king of Syria had destroyed them, and had made them like the dust by threshing. Parallel theme: 2 Kings 10:32, Amos 1:3

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?

9 And Jehoahaz slept with his fathers; and they buried him in Samaria: and Joash his son reigned in his stead.

Jehoash's Reign in Israel

10 In the thirty and seventh year of Joash king of Judah began Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned sixteen years.

11 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD; he departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel sinSin: חַטָּאת (Chatta'ah). The Hebrew chatta'ah (חַטָּאת) means sin—missing the mark of God's standard. It encompasses rebellion, transgression, and falling short of divine holiness.: but he walked therein. Creation: 2 Kings 13:2

12 And the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, and his might wherewith he fought against Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

13 And Joash slept with his fathers; and Jeroboam sat upon his throne: and Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel.

The Death of Elisha

14 Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. References Israel: 2 Kings 2:12. Parallel theme: 2 Kings 20:1, Genesis 48:1, John 11:3, Philippians 2:26

15 And Elisha said unto him, Take bow and arrows. And he took unto him bow and arrows.

16 And he said to the king of Israel, Put thine hand upon the bow. And he put his hand upon it: and Elisha put his hands upon the king's hands.

17 And he said, Open the window eastward. And he opened it. Then Elisha said, Shoot. And he shot. And he said, The arrow of the LORD'S deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria: for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek, till thou have consumed them. Parallel theme: 1 Kings 20:26, 1 Corinthians 1:18

18 And he said, Take the arrows. And he took them. And he said unto the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground. And he smote thrice, and stayed. Parallel theme: 2 Kings 4:6

19 And the man of GodGod: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim). The Hebrew Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) is a plural form denoting majesty and fullness of deity. Though grammatically plural, it takes singular verbs when referring to the one true God, suggesting the Trinity's plurality within unity. was wroth with him, and said, Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice. Parallel theme: 2 Kings 13:25

20 And Elisha died, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year. Parallel theme: 2 Kings 3:7, 24:2

21 And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet. Parallel theme: 2 Kings 4:35, John 5:25, Acts 5:15, 19:12

Jehoash Defeats Aram

22 But Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz. References Israel: 2 Kings 8:12

23 And the LORD was gracious unto them, and had compassion on them, and had respect unto them, because of his covenantCovenant: בְּרִית (Berit). The Hebrew berit (בְּרִית) denotes a covenant—a binding agreement, often ratified by blood sacrifice. God's covenants (Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic) structure redemptive history, culminating in the New Covenant. with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as yet. Covenant: Psalms 105:8. References Lord: 2 Kings 14:27, 17:18, 24:20, 1 Kings 8:28. Grace: Psalms 86:15

24 So Hazael king of Syria died; and Ben-hadad his son reigned in his stead.

25 And Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz took again out of the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael the cities, which he had taken out of the hand of Jehoahaz his father by war. Three times did Joash beat him, and recovered the cities of Israel. References Israel: 2 Kings 10:32