2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 13:1 Jehoahaz and Jehoash. The story goes back to the northern kingdom, Israel, and focuses on the two northern kings who ruled during Joash of Judah’s lifetime. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 13:4 JEHOAHAZ SOUGHT THE FAVOR OF THE LORD. The language throughout vv. 2 Kings 13:3 recalls the book of Judges 1:1. When Israel cried out under foreign oppression, God sent a SAVIOR (v. 2 Kings 13:5; compare Judges 3:9, Judges 3:15). Likely the “savi [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 13:6 THE ASHERAH... REMAINED IN SAMARIA. On Asherim, see note on 1 Kings 14:15. The English translation here implies that this is the same Asherah that Ahab made earlier (1 Kings 16:33). It seems to have survived Jehu’s reformation. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByT... [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 13:7 DUST AT THRESHING. See note on 1 Kings 22:10–12. The ARMY of Jehoahaz is reduced to a small number, as insubstantial as chaff in the breeze. On the CHRONICLES OF THE KINGS, see note on 1 Kings 14:19. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0,... [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 13:9 The next king of Israel, introduced here as JOASH, is referred to as both Joash (e.g., v. 2 Kings 13:14) and Jehoash (v. 2 Kings 13:25) throughout the rest of this chapter and in ch. 2 Kings 14:1 (e.g., 2 Kings 14:8). He is not to be confused with Joash of Judah; see not... [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 13:14 JOASH (Jehoash of Israel) weeps because he thinks he is on the verge of defeat, lacking CHARIOTS and HORSEMEN (v. 2 Kings 13:7). Elisha promises the king a series of victories (THREE TIMES, v. 2 Kings 13:19). The victories would have been greater in number had the king... [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 13:20 GRAVE OF ELISHA. Tombs in ancient Israel were often dug out of soft rock or located in caves (e.g., Genesis 23:1). They were not difficult to access. Israel needs to know that Elisha’s powers to resurrect live on (compare 2 Kings 4:8), because just as this MAN WAS THROW... [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 13:23 Israel is surviving because of God’s promise to Jehu (2 Kings 10:30), and also because of HIS COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM, ISAAC, AND JACOB. That is why he kept the Syrians at bay during the reign of Jehoahaz, in spite of Israel’s sin; and that is why the equally sinful Jehoa... [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 13:25 THREE TIMES JOASH (that is, Jehoash; see note on v. 9) DEFEATED HIM, fulfilling Elisha’s prophecy (v. 2 Kings 13:19). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]