Time moves quickly today as we cover 80 years of history in a blink. Jehoahaz of Israel seeks the LORD but also maintains the cults of Jeroboam at Dan and Bethel, and his son Jehoash is no better. While oppressed again by Syria, the author wants us to know why Israel survived: But the LORD was gracious to them and had compassion on them, and He turned toward them because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, nor has He cast them from His presence until now.
In the last half of chapter 13 the story ends for the man of God, Elisha. For most of his life Elisha has been more respected by foreign rulers than he is by Israel's king. However, Jehoash goes to mourn him, only to reveal the same almost-yet-uncommitted faith of his father.
In chapter 14 Amaziah reigns in Judah, righteously, yet not like David his father. His pride drives his story. Early in his reign he challenges Israel to a duel, which results in his capture and Jerusalem being sacked by their northern brothers. Later, he is so unpopular that he is driven from the throne and replaced by his sixteen-year-old son.
Meanwhile, Jeroboam, the great-grandson of Jehu, takes over in Israel. However, the author spends very little time on Jeroboam II, except to highlight the LORD’s efforts and opinion of Israel’s most prosperous king. It is significant to note that Jeroboam reigns during Assyria’s weakest era, and it is more important to the author that Jeroboam did what was evil in the sight of the LORD. He did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin.
Furthermore, Jeroboam’s success was a result of the LORD’s compassion, for the LORD saw that the affliction of Israel was very bitter, for there was none left, bond or free, and there was none to help Israel. But the LORD had not said that He would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, so He saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash.
In chapter 15, sandwiched between two kings of Judah are the brief accounts of Menahem, Pekahiah, and Pekah: three men who wasted twenty years fighting over the throne. As prophesied, Jehu’s prosperous line has ended. Israel is in chaos. And Assyria is on the rise.
Our verse for this week is Romans 8:28: And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
2 Kings 13 through 15. Now let’s read it!