2 Kings 13
Meaning of 2 Kings 13
Second Kings Chapter 13 delves into the reigns of two kings of Israel – Jehoahaz and Joash (also known as Jehoash) and the influence of prophet Elisha over them. It is part of the Old Testament of the Bible.
Verses 1-9 detail the reign of Jehoahaz, who assumes kingship over Israel and reigns for 17 years in Samaria. However, he does evil in the eyes of the Lord by persisting in the sins committed by Jeroboam, which makes the Lord angry. Consequently, Israel is severely oppressed by the King of Aram. Jehoahaz turns to the Lord for help and, seeing the oppression of Israel, the Lord provides a deliverer for Israel, bringing them temporary relief from Aram’s oppression. After Jehoahaz’s death, he is succeeded by his son Jehoash.
In verses 10-13, the scriptural text outlines the 16-year reign of Jehoash in Samaria. Like his father, he continues to commit sins which provoke God’s wrath. However, his reign expands the boundaries of Israel.
Verses 14-21 recount the final days of the prophet Elisha. Jehoash visits Elisha on his deathbed. Elisha instructs Jehoash to shoot an arrow out of the window as a symbolic act of victory over Aram. He also tells Jehoash to strike the ground with the arrows. Jehoash only strikes it three times, and Elisha tells him that because he did not strike five or six times, he will only defeat Aram three times, not completely destroy them.
Lastly, verses 22-25 document the death of Elisha and a miracle happening in his grave. The Bible mentions that even after Elisha’s death, the Lord was gracious to Israel and showed compassion because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and he did not destroy Israel or abandon them. At the end of the chapter, it is noted that Jehoash does win three victories over Ben-Hadad II as Elisha prophesied before his death.
In essence, this chapter highlights God’s mercy towards Israel in spite of their continued disobedience, the passing of prophet Elisha and the partial fulfillment of his last prophecy.
2 Kings 13 kjv
The 2 Kings 13 of the King James Version (KJV) in the Bible discusses the reigns of two kings: Jehoahaz and Jehoash (also named Joash), both of whom were kings of Israel.
Here is a summary of this chapter:
The chapter begins with the reign of Jehoahaz, who followed the evil ways of Jeroboam and did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. This led to anger from the Lord and subjugation of Israel by the hand of Hazael, king of Syria, and his son, Ben-hadad.
In their suffering, the Israelites turned back to the Lord, and He heard their pleas. He provided them with a savior who would save them from the oppression of the Syrians. However, this did not appear to lead to an end of their false worship.
After the death of Jehoahaz, his son Joash became the king. Jehoahaz’s reign lasted seventeen years, and he died and was buried in Samaria.
Joash, like his father, did evil in the eyes of the Lord. During his reign, Elisha the prophet became ill. Joash visited Elisha and wept over him. Elisha prophesized that Joash will obtain victory over the Syrians at Aphek but won’t completely destroy them.
Elisha then died and was buried. Miraculously, when a dead man was thrown into Elisha’s grave and touched Elisha’s bones, the man came back to life.
The war with Syria continued under Joash, who took back cities that had been lost during his father’s reign. Finally, Joash died and was buried in Samaria.
This chapter symbolizes the cycle of sin, punishment, repentance, and temporary deliverance that characterized much of Israel’s history during this period. Despite God’s mercy in response to their pleas, the nation’s leaders continue to lead the nation into idolatry, bringing about their ultimate demise.
2 Kings 13 nkjv
2 Kings 13 is a chapter in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Kings that continues with the narrative of the kings of Israel and Judah. “NKJV” stands for “New King James Version,” which is a modern, yet faithful translation of the original texts.
This chapter comprises two major sections:
1. The Reign of Jehoahaz: Verses 1-9 provide an account of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, who became king over Israel and reigned for seventeen years. However, Jehoahaz did not do what was pleasing in the sight of the Lord and followed the sins of Jeroboam, leading Israel into idolatry. As a result, the Lord allowed the king of Syria to oppress Israel. Jehoahaz sought the Lord’s favor, and even though God listened to him, the Israelites did not depart from their sins. Jehoahaz died and was buried in Samaria, and his son Joash succeeded him.
2. The Reign of Joash (also known as Jehoash): Verses 10-25 describe the reign of Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, as king of Israel and his interactions with Elisha, the prophet. Joash did what was evil in the sight of the Lord throughout his sixteen years as king. This section also details the terminal illness of Elisha during the time of Joash. Before his death, Elisha prophecies victory for Joash over the Syrians. This prophecy is signified through an arrow and striking the ground with arrows. Elisha passes away and is buried. Miraculously, a man revived from death upon touching Elisha’s bones demonstrating that even in death Elisha carried the power of God. The chapter ends with mentioning the war of Joash with Syria, in which Joash regained lost cities, fulfilling Elisha’s prophecy.
Overall, 2 Kings 13 demonstrates recurring themes of the consequences of idolatry and disobedience, as well as God’s mercy and the power of prophecy.
2 Kings 13 niv
The NIV (New International Version) of 2 Kings 13 recounts the reigns of several kings of the Israelite and Judah kingdoms.
The chapter begins with the reign of Jehoahaz son of Jehu over Israel, which lasts for seventeen years in Samaria. His reign was marked by evil, continuing the idolatrous worship that had been part of Israelite culture. Because of such sins, the Lord’s anger was against Israel, and He delivered them into the hands of Hazael king of Aram and his son Ben-Hadad.
In his distress, Jehoahaz sought the Lord’s favor, and the Lord listened. He saw the oppression of Israel and provided them a deliverer. However, they did not cease from their sinful ways.
Coming to Jehoash (also named Joash), the son of Jehoahaz, he reigned over Israel in Samaria for sixteen years. He too did evil in the eyes of the Lord, not turning away from the sins of his predecessors. However, he had some notable interactions with Elisha the prophet.
At the end of his life, Elisha had become sick. Jehoash went to see him and wept over him. Elisha instructed him in a prophetic act involving a bow and arrows, an acted prophecy regarding Jehoash’s future victories over Aram. Elisha also prophesied that he would strike down the Arameans only three times, not completely destroying them.
The chapter concludes with the death of Elisha, but even in his death, a miraculous event occurs. As a dead man is thrown into Elisha’s grave, the body comes in contact with Elisha’s bones and the man is revived and stands up on his feet.
Jehoash is recorded as fighting with Amaziah king of Judah, taking Amaziah as prisoner and destroying a portion of the wall of Jerusalem. Jehoash ends up dying and his son, Jeroboam II, takes his place as king. The chapter ends with Jehoahaz’s death and Jeroboam’s succession to his father’s throne, emphasizing how Jeroboam II did evil in the eyes of the Lord.
What is 2 Kings 13 all about?
2 Kings 13 is a chapter from the Old Testament of the Bible. This chapter predominantly focuses on the reigns of two kings of Israel: Jehoahaz and Jehoash (also known as Joash).
In the beginning of 2 Kings 13, Jehoahaz becomes king of Israel and reigns for 17 years. Like many of his predecessors, Jehoahaz does evil in the eyes of the Lord by following the sinful ways of the first king of Israel, Jeroboam. As a result of his disobedience, the Lord permits the king of Aram to oppress Israel.
Jehoahaz seeks the Lord’s favor, and the Lord responds by sending a deliverer to free Israel from the oppression. However, despite this deliverance, the Israelites continue in their sinful ways without turning from them.
The chapter also details the reign of Jehoahaz’s son, Jehoash. Not unlike his father, Jehoash also does evil in the sight of the Lord, yet during his reign, prophet Elisha falls sick and eventually dies. Before Elisha’s death, he has one final prophecy wherein he predicts that Israel will defeat Aram in future battles under the leadership of Jehoash.
The chapter ends with a series of wars between Israel and Aram where Jehoash defeats the Aramean army three times as Elisha had prophesied, but Israel is still subjugated, and the chapter concludes by mentioning the death of Jehoash and his burial in Samaria.
2 Kings 13 provides key insights into the conditions of Israel during the reigns of Jehoahaz and Jehoash, allowing us to understand the religious and military conflict Israel was embroiled in. The people of Israel were in a continuous cycle of sin, punishment, repentance, and deliverance.
What does 2 Kings 13 teaches?
2 Kings 13 is a chapter in the Old Testament of the Bible that continues the historical narrative of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah.
Here are the main lessons from this chapter:
1. Accountability for Wickedness: Both Jehoahaz and his son Jehoash, the kings of Israel mentioned in this chapter, reigned in evil, and their choices affected the entire nation, leading to oppression by enemy nations. This teaches that actions, especially those of leaders, can have far-reaching consequences.
2. The Mercy of God: Despite the people’s and their leader’s repeated turning away from God, He still had mercy on them because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God repeatedly provided relief and salvation for them, emphasizing his mercy and faithfulness even when people are unfaithful.
3. The Power of God: This chapter narrates Elisha’s final prophecy and miracle before his death. Even while dying, Elisha manifested God’s power and showed that trusting in God wouldn’t be vain.
4. Persistence in Prayer: Jehoash came to Elisha for help when Israel was facing trouble. Elisha told him to strike the ground with the arrows. When Jehoash stopped after striking three times, Elisha reprimands him for stopping. Had Jehoash continued to strike the ground, God could have given them a complete victory over Aram. This can teach about the need for persistence and continued faith in prayers for results.
5. The necessity of obedience: Same as Jehoash, our incomplete obedience limits God’s blessings in our lives and can result in only partial victories instead of achieving full potential.
These interpretations can largely depend on one’s particular religious views and denominational beliefs.
A Sermon on 2 Kings 13
Chapter 13 of Second Kings in the Bible is a narrative about the kings of Israel. It revolves around two kings: Jehoahaz and Jehoash, who were both kings of Israel. The chapter also introduces a pivotal character, Elisha, the prophet.
At the start of the chapter, King Jehoahaz’s reign is described as a time of spiritual decline and oppression from their enemies, the Arameans. All these unfortunate events happened because Jehoahaz “did evil in the sight of the Lord” by continuing in the sins of Jeroboam, the king who made Israel to sin.
The reaction of King Jehoahaz to the oppression is significant. He responds by seeking the Lord’s favor (verse 4). Though Jehoahaz did evil, he still recognized the Lord’s sovereignty and turned to Him in the time of trouble. God listens to Jehoahaz’s prayer, showcasing His mercy, and provides Israel with a deliverer (verse 5). Although the identity of this deliverer is unspecified, the Israelites are temporarily relieved from the harsh Aramean oppression.
The narrative then moves ahead to the final days of Elisha the prophet. The King Jehoash’s visit to Elisha’s deathbed witnessed a significant moment. Elisha tells Jehoash to shoot an arrow out of the window which symbolizes victory over the Arameans (verses 17). The second prophecy when Jehoash strikes the ground with the arrows only thrice, represents that the victory over Arameans will be incomplete, which leaves Jehoash despaired (verses 18-19).
Post Elisha’s death and burial, we witness God’s miraculous power when a dead man resurrects as he touches Elisha’s bones (verse 21).
Three lessons could be drawn from this sermon:
1. God’s Mercy: Despite the continued sinfulness of Jehoahaz, God listened to his cry for mercy. This showcases the forgiving and merciful nature of God, ready to rescue those who repent and call on Him.
2. Prophecy & Obedience: The episode with Jehoash and Elisha shows the importance of clear understanding and complete obedience to God’s word, else there are consequences of partial victories.
3. God’s Power after death: The power of God is everlasting, even after his prophets die, as evidenced by the resurrection of the man upon touching Elisha’s bones.
Hence, 2 Kings Chapter 13 delivers the message of God’s mercy, the importance of understanding and obeying God’s command, and the ever-present power of God.
Key people in 2 Kings 13
The key people in 2 Kings 13 include:
1. Jehoahaz: He is the king of Israel who takes over after his father Jehu. Jehoahaz reigned 17 years, doing evil in the sight of the Lord, following the sins of Jeroboam.
2. Jehoash (also known as Joash): He is the son of Jehoahaz who ascends to the throne after his father’s death. Jehoash, like his father, also continues in the wrong practices and sins of their forefathers.
3. Hazael: He is the king of Aram who oppresses the Israelites during the reign of Jehoahaz. God shows mercy to Israel and delivers them from Hazael once Jehoahaz repents and seeks God’s help.
4. Ben-Hadad: He is the son of Hazael. After his father’s death, Jehoash defeats him three times to reclaim cities Hazael had taken from his father Jehoahaz.
5. Elisha: The prophet Elisha plays a significant role in 2 Kings 13. He is visited by Jehoash when he is ill and nearing his death. Elisha foretells the victories of Jehoash over Aram before he dies.
6. The unnamed man: An unnamed man is resurrected when his body touches the bones of Elisha in his grave, which shows the power that resided in the prophet even after his death.
Real world examples on 2 Kings 13
2 Kings 13 records the reigns of Jehoahaz and Jehoash, kings of Israel, and their interactions with Elisha, a prophet of God, as well as the various military conflicts they had with the Arameans (Syrians).
Real-world examples or applications that parallel the circumstances in 2 Kings 13 are as follows:
1. The Cycle of Sin and Consequence: This chapter highlights the cyclical nature of Israel’s unfaithfulness to God (idolatry) and subsequent punishment (oppression by enemies). This can be related to real-life scenarios where individuals or communities continue in harmful behaviors and end up facing the negative consequences.
For example, consider a community struggling with a drug problem. Despite repeated warnings about health risks and legal penalties, some people may continue to abuse drugs, leading to various personal and community consequences such as poor health, broken families, crime, etc.
2. Drawing Strength From a Higher Power: Jehoash visits Elisha at a time when Israel is oppressed. Elisha guides Jehoash through a symbolic act of shooting an arrow, signifying a victory that God was to give Israel over Aram. This can be compared to moments in life when individuals seek guidance or inspiration from spiritual leaders, motivational figures, or personal faith in challenging times.
An example could be people relying on therapy, counsel, or spiritual support when they’re trying to overcome personal obstacles like depression, addiction, or grief.
3. The Importance of Persistence: Elisha instructs Jehoash to strike the ground with arrows. Jehoash only strikes it thrice, which disappoints Elisha because it limits the number of victories he would have over Aram. This can serve a reminder of the importance of persistence. For instance, in business or personal life, many successes require perseverance. If you give up too quickly, you may lose out on opportunities for greater achievements.
4. Legacy of Leaders: The death of Elisha and his continued impact even in death (one man comes back to life on touching Elisha’s bones) sets an example of the lasting legacy a leader can leave behind. It illustrates that the work and influence of a person can continue to have impact even after they are gone. Examples from real life can include influential leaders or figures whose teachings or legacy continue to have a profound impact on society or individuals even after their passing, such as Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, or Nelson Mandela.
Brief Explanation of 2 Kings 13
2 Kings chapter 13, part of the Old Testament of the Bible, presents the history of the kings of Israel, specifically focusing on the reigns of Jehoahaz and Joash (also known as Jehoash). The chapter explains that both kings did evil in the eyes of the Lord by following the sins of Jeroboam, which led the nation of Israel into idolatry.
First, the chapter details the harsh reign of Jehoahaz, during which Israel was significantly oppressed by the king of Aram. In desperation, Jehoahaz pleads to God for intervention, and God, seeing the suffering of Israel, sends a savior to deliver them from Aram’s oppression. Yet, the Israelites continue their idolatrous ways.
After Jehoahaz’s death, his son Joash becomes the king. He reigns for 16 years and continues the sins of Jeroboam.
The chapter also introduces Elisha’s final prophecy and death. King Joash visits the prophet Elisha on his deathbed. Elisha instructs the king to strike the ground with arrows, symbolizing victory over Aram. When Joash strikes the ground only three times, Elisha is disappointed and prophesizes that Joash will defeat Aram only three times, instead of completely destroying them.
The chapter ends with the death of Elisha and a recap of Joash’s reign. It’s noted that after Elisha’s death, a man is resurrected when his body touches Elisha’s bones, symbolizing the continuing power of God’s prophetic word even after the prophet’s death. Despite the miracles and prophecies, the chapter concludes noting that the kings of Israel continue in their idolatrous paths.
Frequently asked questions for 2 Kings 13
1. Who was the king of Israel in 2 Kings 13?
– In 2 Kings 13, the kings of Israel mentioned are Jehoahaz and his son Jehoash.
2. How long did Jehoahaz rule as king according to the scriptures?
– Jehoahaz ruled for 17 years as mentioned in 2 Kings 13:1.
3. What was the situation in Israel during the reign of Jehoahaz?
– Israel was oppressed by Hazael king of Aram during Jehoahaz’s reign. It was a period of strife and turmoil.
4. What can we infer about Jehoahaz’s rule in 2 Kings 13?
– 2 Kings 13:2 reveals that Jehoahaz did evil in the eyes of the Lord by following the sins of Jeroboam, leading Israel to sin, resulting in God’s anger and permitting Aram’s oppression.
5. Who succeeded Jehoahaz as king?
– Jehoahaz’s son Jehoash succeeded him as king of Israel according to 2 Kings 13:9.
6. Was the reign of Jehoash any different from that of his father Jehoahaz?
– Like his father, Jehoash did evil in the eyes of the Lord and followed the sinful practices of Jeroboam as mentioned in 2 Kings 13:11.
7. What was the prophecy Elisha gave to Jehoash?
– Elisha prophesied that Jehoash would defeat Aram three times but would not destroy it as we see in 2 Kings 13:18-19.
8. Did Jehoash respect the prophet Elisha?
– Yes, Jehoash respected Elisha. When Elisha was on his deathbed, Jehoash wept over him and called him “my father, my father” as seen in 2 Kings 13:14.
9. What happened after Elisha’s death?
– Even after Elisha’s death, God had regard for the distressed Israel and showed them mercy because of His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as referenced in 2 Kings 13:23.
10. Was Elisha’s burial peaceful?
– While it was intended to be peaceful, a band of Moabite raiders interrupted the burial. A man’s body was thrown into Elisha’s grave, and when the body touched Elisha’s bones, the man came back to life, an indication of Elisha’s prophetic power even in death (2 Kings 13:20-21).
Possible References for 2 Kings 13
The book of 2 Kings in the Bible primarily focuses on the narratives about the kings who ruled over the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. 2 Kings 13 specifically refers to the reigns of two kings – Jehoahaz and Joash (also known as Jehoash) – of Israel.
In the beginning of the chapter, it is about Jehoahaz, son of Jehu, who became the king of Israel in Samaria. The text states that Jehoahaz did evil in the eyes of the Lord, leading to the nation being oppressed by the king of Aram. Then Jehoahaz sought the Lord’s favor, and the Lord listened to him. God provided Israel with a deliverer, so they could escape from the control of Aram.
The latter part of 2 Kings 13 narrates about Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz, who took over the throne after his father’s death. Like his father, Jehoash did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam, and continued to lead Israel in doing wrong in the eyes of God.
This chapter also includes the account of the death of Elisha, a prophet in Israel, and a miracle that happened at his tomb. After Elisha’s death, while they were burying a man, his body touched Elisha’s bones, he revived and stood up on his feet.
So, the 2 Kings 13 potentially can be referred to discuss the reigns and sins of Jehoahaz and Jehoash, the mercy of God, the death of Elisha and the miracle at his tomb.
Conclusion on 2 Kings 13
2 Kings Chapter 13 highlights the reigns of Jehoahaz and Jehoash, the kings of Israel, against the backdrop of the longstanding issues of the nation’s disobedience.
In the conclusion of 2 Kings 13, we witness the prophecy of Elisha pertaining to King Jehoash’s war with the Arameans coming to pass: Israel would only score three victories over Aram, not fully eliminating the threat. Elisha had explained this by using symbolic actions – striking the ground with arrows only three times.
After Elisha’s death and his burial, there is an account of a dead man being brought back to life when his body touched Elisha’s bones. This is a clear testament to God’s enduring presence, power, and his ability to bring life, even in the midst of death. It showcases also Elisha’s prophetic power, even after he had died.
Nonetheless, this miraculous event did not lead the nation back to God. Israel continued to struggle due to lack of faithfulness, representative of the ongoing cycle of sin, punishment, repentance, and temporary deliverance chronicled throughout 2 Kings.
Also, Hazael king of Aram dies and his son Ben-Hadad took over. But, King Jehoash of Israel was able to recapture some cities from Ben-Hadad, just as Elisha had said. Yet, the chapter ends with continuing distress and threat to Israel from outside enemies because they persisted in their sins.
In conclusion, this chapter summarizes the dire consequences of unfaithfulness and disobedience to God, intermittent deliverance based on God’s mercy, the fulfillment of divine prophecy, and God’s enduring power of life and regrowth amid chaos and destruction.