2 Kings 13
1599 Geneva Bible
13 3 Jehoahaz the son of Jehu is delivered into the hands of the Syrians. 4 He prayeth unto God, and is delivered. 9 Joash his son reigneth in his stead. 20 Elisha dieth. 24 Hazael dieth.
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 he reigned seventeen years.
2 And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to [a]sin, and departed not therefrom.
3 And the Lord was angry with Israel, and delivered them into the hand of Hazael king of Aram, and into the hand of Ben-Hadad the son of Hazael, all [b]his days.
4 And Jehoahaz besought the Lord, and the Lord heard him: for he saw the trouble of Israel, wherewith the king of Aram troubled them.
5 (And the Lord gave Israel a [c]deliverer, so that they came out from under the subjection of the Aramites. And the children of Israel [d]dwelt in their tents as [e]beforetime.
6 Nevertheless, they departed not from the sins of the house of Jeroboam which made Israel sin, but walked in them, even the [f]grove also remained still in Samaria)
7 For he had left of the people to Jehoahaz but fifty horsemen, and ten chariots, and ten thousand footmen, because the king [g]of Aram had destroyed them, and made them like dust beaten to powder.
8 Concerning the rest of the acts of Jehoahaz and all that he did, and his valiant deeds, 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.
10 ¶ In the seven and thirtieth year of Joash king [h]of Judah began Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned sixteen years.
11 And did evil in the sight of the Lord: for he departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat that made Israel to sin, but he walked therein.
12 Concerning the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, and his valiant deeds, and how 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 seat: and Joash was buried in Samaria among the kings of Israel.
14 ¶ When Elisha fell sick of his sickness whereof he died, Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept upon his face, and said, [i]O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen of the same.
15 Then Elisha said unto him, Take a 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 said, Open the window [j]Eastward. And when he had opened it, Elisha said, Shoot. And he shot. And he said, Behold, the arrow of the Lord’s deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance against Aram: for thou shalt smite the Aramites in Aphek, till thou hast consumed them.
18 Again he said, Take the arrows. And he took them. And he said unto the king of Israel, Smite the ground. And he smote thrice, and ceased.
19 Then the man of God was [k]angry with him, and said, Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times, so thou shouldest have smitten Aram, till thou hadst consumed it, where now thou shalt smite Aram but thrice.
20 ¶ So Elisha died, and they buried him. And certain bands of the Moabites came into the land that year.
21 And as they were burying a man: behold, they saw the soldiers: therefore they cast the man into the sepulcher of Elisha. And when the man was down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he [l]revived and stood upon his feet.
22 ¶ But Hazael king of Aram vexed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz.
23 Therefore the Lord had mercy on them and pitied them, and had respect unto them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from him as [m]yet.
24 So Hazael the King of Aram died: and Ben-Hadad his son reigned in his stead.
25 Therefore Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz returned, and took out of the hand of Ben-Hadad the son of Hazael the cities which he had taken away by war out of the hand of Jehoahaz his father: for three times did Joash beat him, and restored the cities unto Israel.
Footnotes
- 2 Kings 13:2 By worshipping the calves which Jeroboam did erect in Israel.
- 2 Kings 13:3 While Jehoahaz lived.
- 2 Kings 13:5 To wit, Joash the son of Jehoahaz.
- 2 Kings 13:5 Safely and without danger.
- 2 Kings 13:5 Hebrew, as yesterday and before yesterday.
- 2 Kings 13:6 Wherein they did commit their idolatry, and which the Lord had commanded to be destroyed, Deut. 16:21.
- 2 Kings 13:7 That is, Hazael and Ben-Hadad his son, as verse 3. Read of Hazael, 2 Kings 8:12.
- 2 Kings 13:10 His chief purpose is to describe the kingdom of Judah, and how God performed his promise made to the house of David: but by the way he showeth how Israel was afflicted and punished for their great idolatry, who though they had now degenerated, yet God both by sending them sundry Prophets and divers punishments, did call them unto him again.
- 2 Kings 13:14 Thus they used to call the Prophets and servants of God, by whom God blesseth his people, as 2 Kings 2:12, meaning that by their prayers they did more prosper their country than by force of arms.
- 2 Kings 13:17 That is, toward Syria: so that he did not only prophesy with words, but also confirmed him by these signs that he should have the victory.
- 2 Kings 13:19 Because he seemed content to have victory against the enemies of God for twice or thrice, and had not a zeal to overcome them continually, and to destroy them utterly.
- 2 Kings 13:21 By this miracle God confirmed the authority of Elisha, whose doctrine in his life they contemned, that at this sight they might return and embrace the same doctrine.
- 2 Kings 13:23 That is, until their sins were come to a full measure, and there was no more hope of amendment.
2 Kings 13
New King James Version
Jehoahaz Reigns in Israel
13 In the twenty-third year of (A)Joash[a] the son of Ahaziah, king of Judah, (B)Jehoahaz the son of Jehu became king over Israel in Samaria, and reigned seventeen years. 2 And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, and followed the (C)sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who had made Israel sin. He did not [b]depart from them.
3 Then (D)the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel, and He delivered them into the hand of (E)Hazael king of Syria, and into the hand of (F)Ben-Hadad the son of Hazael, all their days. 4 So Jehoahaz (G)pleaded with the Lord, and the Lord listened to him; for (H)He saw the oppression of Israel, because the king of Syria oppressed them. 5 (I)Then the Lord gave Israel a deliverer, so that they escaped from under the hand of the Syrians; and the children of Israel dwelt in their tents as before. 6 Nevertheless they did not depart from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, who had made Israel sin, but walked in them; (J)and the [c]wooden image also remained in Samaria. 7 For He left of the army of Jehoahaz only fifty horsemen, ten chariots, and ten thousand foot soldiers; for the king of Syria had destroyed them (K)and made them (L)like the dust at threshing.
8 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoahaz, all that he did, and his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? 9 So Jehoahaz [d]rested with his fathers, and they buried him in Samaria. Then [e]Joash his son reigned in his place.
Jehoash Reigns in Israel
10 In the thirty-seventh year of Joash king of Judah, [f]Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz became king over Israel in Samaria, and reigned sixteen years. 11 And he did evil in the sight of the Lord. He did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel sin, but walked in them.
12 (M)Now the rest of the acts of Joash, (N)all that he did, and (O)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? 13 So Joash (P)rested[g] with his fathers. Then Jeroboam sat on his throne. And Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel.
Death of Elisha
14 Elisha had become sick with the illness of which he would die. Then Joash the king of Israel came down to him, and wept over his face, and said, “O my father, my father, (Q)the chariots of Israel and their horsemen!”
15 And Elisha said to him, “Take a bow and some arrows.” So he took himself a bow and some arrows. 16 Then he said to the king of Israel, “Put your hand on the bow.” So he put his hand on it, and Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands. 17 And he said, “Open the east window”; 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 you must strike the Syrians at (R)Aphek till you have destroyed them.” 18 Then he said, “Take the arrows”; so he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground”; so he struck three times, and stopped. 19 And the man of God was angry with him, and said, “You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck Syria till you had destroyed it! (S)But now you will strike Syria only three times.”
20 Then Elisha [h]died, and they buried him. And the (T)raiding bands from Moab invaded the land in the spring of the year. 21 So it was, as they were burying a man, that suddenly they spied a band of raiders; and they put the man in the tomb of Elisha; and when the man was let down and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet.
Israel Recaptures Cities from Syria
22 And (U)Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz. 23 But the Lord was (V)gracious to them, had compassion on them, and (W)regarded them, (X)because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not yet destroy them or cast them from His presence.
24 Now Hazael king of Syria died. Then Ben-Hadad his son reigned in his place. 25 And [i]Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz recaptured from 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. (Y)Three times Joash defeated him and recaptured the cities of Israel.
Footnotes
- 2 Kings 13:1 Jehoash, 2 Kin. 12:1–18
- 2 Kings 13:2 Lit. turn
- 2 Kings 13:6 Heb. Asherah, a Canaanite goddess
- 2 Kings 13:9 Died and joined his ancestors
- 2 Kings 13:9 Or Jehoash
- 2 Kings 13:10 Joash, v. 9
- 2 Kings 13:13 Died and joined his ancestors
- 2 Kings 13:20 Having prophesied at least 55 years
- 2 Kings 13:25 Joash, vv. 12–14, 25
2 Kings 13
English Standard Version
Jehoahaz Reigns in Israel
13 In the twenty-third year of Joash the son of Ahaziah, king of Judah, Jehoahaz the son of Jehu began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and he reigned seventeen years. 2 He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, (A)which he made Israel to sin; he did not depart from them. 3 (B)And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he gave them continually into the hand of (C)Hazael king of Syria and into the hand of (D)Ben-hadad the son of Hazael. 4 Then Jehoahaz (E)sought the favor of the Lord, and the Lord listened to him, (F)for he saw the oppression of Israel, how the king of Syria oppressed them. 5 (Therefore the Lord gave Israel (G)a savior, so that they escaped from the hand of the Syrians, and the people of Israel lived in (H)their homes as formerly. 6 Nevertheless, they did not depart from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, (I)which he made Israel to sin, but walked[a] in them; and (J)the Asherah also remained in Samaria.) 7 For there was not left to Jehoahaz an army of more than fifty horsemen and ten chariots and ten thousand footmen, for the king of Syria had destroyed them and made them like the dust (K)at threshing. 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 So Jehoahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in Samaria, and Joash his son reigned in his place.
Jehoash Reigns in Israel
10 In the thirty-seventh year of Joash king of Judah, Jehoash[b] the son of Jehoahaz began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and he reigned sixteen years. 11 He also did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. He did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, (L)which he made Israel to sin, but he walked in them. 12 (M)Now the rest of the acts of Joash (N)and all that he did, (O)and the 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? 13 So Joash slept with his fathers, and Jeroboam sat on his throne. And Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel.
The Death of Elisha
14 Now when Elisha had fallen sick with the illness of which he was to die, Joash king of Israel went down to him and wept before him, crying, (P)“My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” 15 And Elisha said to him, “Take a bow and arrows.” So he took a bow and arrows. 16 Then he said to the king of Israel, “Draw the bow,” and he drew it. And Elisha laid his hands on 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 Lord's arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Syria! For you shall fight the Syrians in (Q)Aphek until you have made an end of them.” 18 And he said, “Take the arrows,” and he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground with them.” And he struck three times and stopped. 19 Then (R)the man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck down Syria until you had made an end of it, but now you will strike down Syria only (S)three times.”
20 So Elisha died, and they buried him. Now bands of (T)Moabites used to invade the land in the spring of the year. 21 And as a man was being buried, behold, a marauding band was seen and the man was thrown into the grave of Elisha, and as soon as the man touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet.
22 (U)Now Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz. 23 (V)But the Lord was gracious to them and had compassion on them, (W)and he turned toward them, (X)because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, nor has he cast them from his presence until now.
24 When Hazael king of Syria died, Ben-hadad his son became king in his place. 25 Then Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz took again from Ben-hadad the son of Hazael the cities (Y)that he had taken from Jehoahaz his father in war. (Z)Three times Joash defeated him and recovered the cities of Israel.
Footnotes
- 2 Kings 13:6 Septuagint, Syriac, Targum, Vulgate; Hebrew he walked
- 2 Kings 13:10 Jehoash is an alternate spelling of Joash (son of Jehoahaz) as in verses 9, 12–14; also verse 25
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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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