13:1 In the twenty-third year of the reign of Judah’s King Joash, son of Ahaziah, Jehu’s son Jehoahaz became king over Israel. He reigned in Samaria1 for seventeen years. 13:2 He did evil before2 the Lord. He continued in3 the sinful ways of Jeroboam son of Nebat who had encouraged Israel to sin; he did not repudiate those sins.4 13:3 The Lord was furious with5 Israel and he handed them over to6 King Hazael of Syria and to Hazael’s son Ben Hadad for many years.7
13:4 Jehoahaz asked for the Lord’s mercy8 and the Lord responded favorably,9 for he saw that Israel was oppressed by the king of Syria.10 13:5 The Lord provided a deliverer11 for Israel and they were freed from Syria’s power.12 The Israelites once more lived in security.13 13:6 But they did not repudiate14 the sinful ways of the family15 of Jeroboam, who encouraged Israel to sin; they continued in those sins.16 There was even an Asherah pole standing in Samaria. 13:7 Jehoahaz had no army left,17 except for fifty horsemen, ten chariots, and ten thousand foot soldiers. The king of Syria had destroyed his troops18 and trampled on them like dust.19
13:8 The rest of the events of Jehoahaz’s reign, including all his accomplishments and successes, are recorded in the scroll called the Annals of the Kings of Israel.20 13:9 Jehoahaz passed away21 and was buried22 in Samaria. His son Joash replaced him as king.
Jehoash’s Reign over Israel
13:10 In the thirty-seventh year of King Joash’s reign over Judah, Jehoahaz’s son Jehoash became king over Israel. He reigned in Samaria23 for sixteen years. 13:11 He did evil before24 the Lord. He did not repudiate25 the sinful ways of Jeroboam son of Nebat who encouraged Israel to sin; he continued in those sins.26 13:12 The rest of the events of Joash’s27 reign, including all his accomplishments and his successful war with King Amaziah of Judah, are recorded in the scroll called the Annals of the Kings of Israel.28 13:13 Joash passed away29 and Jeroboam succeeded him on the throne.30 Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel.
Elisha Makes One Final Prophecy
13:14 Now Elisha had a terminal illness.31 King Joash of Israel went down to visit him.32 He wept before him and said, “My father, my father! The chariot33 and horsemen of Israel!”34 13:15 Elisha told him, “Grab a bow and some arrows,” and he did so.35 13:16 Then Elisha36 told the king of Israel, “Aim the bow.”37 He did so,38 and Elisha placed his hands on the king’s hands. 13:17 Elisha39 said, “Open the east window,” and he did so.40 Elisha said, “Shoot,” and he did so.41 Elisha42 said, “This arrow symbolizes the victory the Lord will give you over Syria.43 You will annihilate Syria in Aphek.”44 13:18 Then Elisha45 said, “Take the arrows,” and he did so.46 He told the king of Israel, “Strike the ground.” He struck the ground three times and stopped. 13:19 The prophet47 got mad at him and said, “If you had struck the ground five or six times, you would annihilate Syria.48 But now, you will defeat Syria just three times.”
13:20 Elisha died and was buried.49 Moabite raiding parties invaded50 the land at the beginning of the year.51 13:21 One day some men52 were burying a man when they spotted53 a raiding party. So they threw the dead man54 into Elisha’s tomb. When the corpse55 touched Elisha’s bones, the dead man56 came to life and stood on his feet.
13:22 Now King Hazael of Syria oppressed Israel throughout Jehoahaz’s reign.57 13:23 But the Lord had mercy on them and felt sorry for them.58 He extended his favor to them59 because of the promise he had made60 to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He has been unwilling to destroy them or remove them from his presence to this very day.61 13:24 When King Hazael of Syria died, his son Ben Hadad replaced him as king. 13:25 Jehoahaz’s son Jehoash took back from62 Ben Hadad son of Hazael the cities that he had taken from his father Jehoahaz in war. Joash defeated him three times and recovered the Israelite cities.
Amaziah’s Reign over Judah