2 Kings 13:1-9 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

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Bible Comments

2 Kings 13:1 to 2 Kings 17:6. The remainder of the history of Israel to the fall of Samaria, with the contemporary annals of Judah, is of the nature of chronicle rather than history. There are few interesting narratives like those in the earlier parts of the book. The exceptions are: (a) the death of Elisha (2 Kings 13:14 ff.); (b) the war between Israel and Judah (2 Kings 14:8-16); (c) the repairs of the Temple at Jerusalem by Ahaz (2 Kings 16:10-16). The main sources are: (a) the records of the kings of Israel and Judah; (b) the biography of Elisha; (c) Deuteronomic notes of reigns, etc.; (d) later additions.

2 Kings 13:1-9. The Reign of Jehoahaz of Israel. Israel is reduced to the lowest straits by Hazael. Yahweh left of Israel's army 10,000 soldiers and 10 chariots. (Ahab had, according to the inscriptions, 2000 chariots.) For 2 Kings 13:5 a cf. p. 69.

Related Commentaries of 2 Kings 13:1

2 Kings 13:1-9

1 In the threea 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 LORD, and followedb the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom.

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 Benhadad the son of Hazael, all their days.

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.

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.c

6 Nevertheless they departed not from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, who made Israel sin, but walkedd therein: and there remained the grove also in Samaria.)

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.

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 Joashe his son reigned in his stead.