2 Kings 13

2 Kings 13:1

J.N the three-and-twentieth year of Joash the son of Ahaziah king ofJudah, Jehoahaz the son of Jehu began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned seventeen years. Some have raised a doubt about this account, because Joash began to reign in the seventh year of Jehu, (xii. 2.) who reigned but twenty-eight years; (x. 36.) from whence if seven years be deducted, there remains no more than one-and-twenty, not three-and-twenty years, as is here said. To which Kimchi and Abarbinel answer, There were two incomplete years: for when it is said Joash reigned in the seventh year of Jehu, it must be understood of the beginning of his seventh year; and in like manner, when he speaks here of the three-and-twentieth year of Joash, it must be understood of the beginning of the same year. And so they are called three-and-twenty, when they were but one-and-twenty perfect years. But it is better to say (as my worthy friend Dr. Alix thinks) that there was an interregnum of a year between the death of Jehu and the first of Jehoahaz.

2 Kings 13:2

And he did that which teas evil in the sight of the Lord, and followed the sins of Jeroboam, who made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom. Was not reclaimed by the severe punishments God inflicted on him., J 1

2 Kings 13:3

And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel; arid he delivered them into the hand ofHazael king of Syria, and Beii-hadad the son ofHazael, all their days. The word their is not in the Hebrew; so that it may be translated all Ms days, as it is explained ver. 22..<

2 Kings 13:4

And Jehoahaz besought the Lord, and the Lord hearkened unto him. Not for his sake, but for the sake of the pious ancestors of this people, with whom he had made a covenant of great mercy to be shewed to their posterity; which in their great distress he now afforded them. (See ver. 23.) For he saw the oppression of Israel, because the king of Syria oppressed them.] Intending their utter ruin, which God would not yet permit, but bear longer with them.

2 Kings 13:5

(And God gave Israel a saviour, so, that they went out from under the hand of the Syrians. Some understand by this saviour, an extraordinary captain, whom God raised up to fight their battles with great success. t But it being said, that while Hazael lived he oppressed them, (ver. 22.) it is more reasonable to understand by this saviour, the son of Jehoahaz; who, when Hazael was dead, delivered them from their bondage, (ver. 25.) And, perhaps, he did this in his father’s lifetime, who made him joint sovereign with himself. And the children of Israel dwelt in their tents, as aforetime.] They lived quietly and securely, not only in their fortified towns, but in the villages and the fields.

2 Kings 13:6

Nevertheless, they departed not from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, who made Israel to sin, but walked therein. Neither their miseries, nor God’s mercies to them, made any alteration in them; but they continued in those sins which had ruined the house of Jeroboam, and many of his successors. And there remained the grove also in Samaria).] We read of a grove which Ahab planted in honour of Baal, 1 Kings xvi. 33. But his worship being utterly destroyed by Jehu, I cannot but think that he cut down that grove: and therefore the grove here mentioned had in it the image of some other god.

2 Kings 13:7

Neither did he leave of the people to Jehoahaz but fifty horsemen, and ten chariots. With the men belonging to them. And ten thousand footmen.] This explains what he means by the people in the foregoing words; not all the people of Israel, but the soldiers, or men of war; of which there were no more left than this small number. For the king of Syria had destroyed them.] God left them in his hand to make this destruction among them, killing some, and carrying others captive. And had made them like the dust by thrashing.] By perpetual wars and captivities; which made very great depopulations, t

2 Kings 13:8

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?. The judgments of God upon him were the most remarkable, because he was a man of might: and was so far from being able to stand before the Syrians, that they beat him to dust.