2 Kings 13:1-9 | The Way of Scripture

2 Kings 13:1-9

Why does the Lord hear a king who has continued in wrongdoing?

Berean Standard Bible

1 In the twenty-third year of the reign of Joash son of Ahaziah over Judah, Jehoahaz son of Jehu became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria seventeen years. 2 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD and followed the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit; he did not turn away from them. 3 So the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He delivered them continually into the hands of Hazael king of Aram and his son Ben-hadad. 4 Then Jehoahaz sought the favor of the LORD, and the LORD listened to him because He saw the oppression that the king of Aram had inflicted on Israel. 5 So the LORD gave Israel a deliverer, and they escaped the power of the Arameans. Then the people of Israel lived in their own homes as they had before. 6 Nevertheless, they did not turn away from the sins that the house of Jeroboam had caused Israel to commit, but they continued to walk in them. The Asherah pole even remained standing in Samaria. 7 Jehoahaz had no army left, except fifty horsemen, ten chariots, and ten thousand foot soldiers, because the king of Aram had destroyed them and made them like the dust at threshing. 8 As for the rest of the acts of Jehoahaz, along with all his accomplishments and his might, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? 9 And Jehoahaz rested with his fathers and was buried in Samaria. And his son Jehoash reigned in his place.

What is the context?

Jehoahaz son of Jehu continues in the sins associated with Jeroboam. The narrator connects Israel’s subjection to Hazael and Ben-hadad with the Lord’s anger over that continuing unfaithfulness.

Nevertheless, when Jehoahaz seeks the Lord’s favor, the Lord hears because He sees Israel’s oppression. He gives a deliverer, and the people again live in their own homes. The notice of help stands alongside the continuing presence of idolatry.

The army has been drastically reduced, and the reign closes with Jehoahaz’s death and the succession of Jehoash. The Lord’s compassion is not presented as proof that the people have already abandoned every sin or that their existing worship is approved.

How is this passage commonly understood?

The Cambridge commentary connects the unnamed deliverer with the recovery under the following kings, especially Jeroboam in chapter 14. This is an interpretation of the notice’s place in the larger account; verse 5 itself does not name the deliverer. Wesley emphasizes the continued idolatry despite the relief.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

No deeper study linked yet.

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