◄ 2 Kings 13:1 ►
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.
Study Bible
In the twenty-third year of the reign of Joash son of Ahaziah over Judah
This phrase sets the chronological context for the events described. Joash, also known as Jehoash, was a king of Judah who began his reign as a child after being hidden from Athaliah's massacre. His reign is noted for the restoration of the temple in Jerusalem (2 Kings 12:4-16). The mention of Joash's reign provides a timeline for Jehoahaz's ascension in Israel, highlighting the divided kingdom period when Israel and Judah were separate entities. This division followed the reign of Solomon and was a result of the people's rebellion and God's judgment (1 Kings 11:11-13).

Jehoahaz son of Jehu became king of Israel
Jehoahaz was the son of Jehu, who was anointed by the prophet Elisha to destroy the house of Ahab and eradicate Baal worship from Israel (2 Kings 9-10). Jehu's dynasty was promised a four-generation rule over Israel as a reward for his zeal (2 Kings 10:30). Jehoahaz's reign is marked by continued idolatry and oppression by the Arameans, reflecting the spiritual decline of Israel despite Jehu's initial reforms. This highlights the recurring theme of Israel's unfaithfulness and the consequences of turning away from God.

and he reigned in Samaria seventeen years
Samaria was the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, established by Omri (1 Kings 16:24). It served as the political and religious center of the northern tribes. Jehoahaz's seventeen-year reign in Samaria was characterized by military defeats and subjugation by Hazael and Ben-Hadad of Aram (2 Kings 13:3). This period of oppression was a direct result of Israel's idolatry and disobedience to God's covenant. The mention of Samaria also foreshadows its eventual fall to the Assyrians in 722 BC, as prophesied by Amos and Hosea, due to persistent sin and rebellion.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Joash (Jehoash) son of Ahaziah
King of Judah during the time Jehoahaz became king of Israel. His reign provides a chronological marker for the events in Israel.

2. Jehoahaz son of Jehu
Became king of Israel in Samaria. His reign is marked by struggles against the Arameans and a return to the sins of Jeroboam.

3. Jehu
Father of Jehoahaz, known for eradicating Baal worship in Israel but failing to remove the golden calves at Bethel and Dan.

4. Samaria
The capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, where Jehoahaz reigned.

5. Israel
The Northern Kingdom, distinct from Judah, often characterized by its idolatry and political instability during this period.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Spiritual Leadership
Jehoahaz's reign illustrates the impact of a leader's spiritual decisions on a nation. Despite Jehu's initial zeal, his failure to fully turn Israel back to God led to continued idolatry and suffering.

Consequences of Partial Obedience
The account of Jehoahaz reminds us that partial obedience to God can lead to prolonged consequences. True repentance and full obedience are necessary for God's blessing.

God's Sovereignty Amidst Human Failure
Despite the failures of Israel's kings, God remains sovereign and continues to work His purposes. This encourages us to trust in God's ultimate plan, even when human leaders fall short.

The Role of Repentance
The account encourages personal reflection on areas of life where we may be holding onto "golden calves" and calls us to genuine repentance and renewal.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the reign of Jehoahaz reflect the spiritual state of Israel at the time, and what lessons can we learn about the importance of spiritual leadership?

2. In what ways does the account of Jehoahaz illustrate the consequences of partial obedience to God, and how can we apply this to our own lives?

3. How does the context of Jehoahaz's reign, as described in 2 Kings 10 and 2 Kings 13:2-3, help us understand the challenges he faced as king?

4. What does the account of Jehoahaz teach us about God's sovereignty and faithfulness, even when human leaders fail?

5. Reflect on areas in your life where you might be holding onto "golden calves." How can you seek genuine repentance and renewal in these areas?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Kings 10
Provides background on Jehu's reforms and the incomplete eradication of idolatry, setting the stage for Jehoahaz's reign.

2 Kings 13:2-3
Describes the spiritual state of Israel under Jehoahaz, highlighting the consequences of continued idolatry.

2 Chronicles 24
Offers insight into the reign of Joash in Judah, providing context for the political landscape during Jehoahaz's rule.
Sermons
Israel's Humiliation Under JehoahazJ. Orr 2 Kings 13:1-7
The Reigns of Jehoahaz and Joash, Kings of IsraelC.H. Irwin 2 Kings 13:1-13
The Death of ElishaD. Thomas 2 Kings 13:1-21
People
Ahaziah, Amaziah, Aram, Benhadad, Ben-hadad, Elisha, Hazael, Isaac, Israelites, Jacob, Jehoahaz, Jehoash, Jehu, Jeroboam, Joash, Moabites, Nebat, Syrians
Places
Aphek, Samaria, Syria
Topics
Ahaziah, Ahazi'ah, Jehoahaz, Jeho'ahaz, Jehu, Joash, Jo'ash, Judah, Reign, Reigned, Ruling, Samaria, Sama'ria, Seventeen, Third, Three-and-twentieth, Twentieth, Twenty, Twenty-third
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 13:1-2

     8739   evil, examples of

2 Kings 13:1-25

     5366   king

Library
The Spirit of Power
'And Elisha 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.'--2 KINGS xiii. 16. This is part of one of the strangest narratives in the Old Testament. Elisha is on his deathbed, 'sick of the sickness' wherewith he 'should die.' A very different scene, that close sick-chamber, from the open plain beyond Jordan from which Elijah had gone up; a very different way of passing from life by wasting sickness than by fiery …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Elijah's Translation and Elisha's Deathbed
And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.'--2 KINGS ii. 12. '...And Joash, the King of Israel, came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said. O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof.'--2 KINGS xiii. U. The scenes and the speakers are strangely different in these two incidents. The one scene is that mysterious translation on the further bank of the Jordan, when a mortal was swept up to heaven in a …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire from 745 to 722 B. C.
TIGLATH-PILESER III. AND THE ORGANISATION OF THE ASSYRIAN EMPIRE FROM 745 to 722 B.C. FAILURE OF URARTU AND RE-CONQUEST Of SYRIA--EGYPT AGAIN UNITED UNDER ETHIOPIAN AUSPICES--PIONKHI--THE DOWNFALL OF DAMASCUS, OF BABYLON, AND OF ISRAEL. Assyria and its neighbours at the accession of Tiglath-pileser III.: progress of the Aramaeans in the basin of the Middle Tigris--Urartu and its expansion into the north of Syria--Damascus and Israel--Vengeance of Israel on Damascus--Jeroboam II.--Civilisation …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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