Israel’s King Jehoahaz
1In the twenty-third year of Judah’s King Joash13:1 2Kg 12:1 son of Ahaziah, Jehoahaz13:1 2Kg 10:35 son of Jehu became king over Israel in Samaria, and he reigned seventeen years.
2He did what was evil in the Lord’s sight and followed the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit; he did not turn away from them.13:2 1Kg 12:26–33
4Then Jehoahaz sought the Lord’s favor, and the Lord heard him, for he saw the oppression the king of Aram inflicted on Israel.13:4 Ex 3:7–9; Nm 21:7–9; 2Kg 14:26
5Therefore, the Lord gave Israel a deliverer,13:5 Jdg 2:18; 2Kg 13:25; 14:25,27 and they escaped from the power of the Arameans. Then the people of Israel returned to their former way of life,13:5 Lit Israel dwelt in their tents as formerly
6but they didn’t turn away from the sins that the house of Jeroboam had caused Israel to commit. Jehoahaz continued them,13:6 2Kg 13:2 and the Asherah pole also remained standing in Samaria.
7Jehoahaz did not have an army left, except for fifty horsemen, ten chariots, and ten thousand foot soldiers, because the king of Aram had destroyed them,13:7 2Kg 10:32–33 making them like dust at threshing.13:7 Am 1:3
8The rest of the events of Jehoahaz’s reign, along with all his accomplishments and his might, are written in the Historical Record of Israel’s Kings.13:8–9 2Kg 1:17–18; 10:34–36
9Jehoahaz rested with his ancestors, and he was buried in Samaria. His son Jehoash13:9 Lit Joash became king in his place.
Israel’s King Jehoash
10In the thirty-seventh year of Judah’s King Joash, Jehoash son of Jehoahaz became king over Israel in Samaria, and he reigned sixteen years.
11He did what was evil in the Lord’s sight. He did not turn away from all the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit, but he continued them.13:11 1Kg 12:28–33
12The rest of the events of Jehoash’s reign, along with all his accomplishments and the power he had to wage war against Judah’s King Amaziah,13:12–13 2Kg 14:15–16 are written in the Historical Record of Israel’s Kings.
Elisha’s Death
16Then Elisha said to the king of Israel, “Grasp the bow.” So the king grasped it, and Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands.
18Then Elisha said, “Take the arrows!” So he took them. Then Elisha said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground!” So he struck the ground three times and stopped.
God’s Mercy on Israel
22King Hazael13:22 1Kg 19:17; 2Kg 8:12–13 of Aram oppressed Israel throughout the reign of Jehoahaz,
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