Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 13
Jehoahaz did not turn to God until he had tried every other method to defend Israel from Aram’s army. In the end, after many defeats, his army was weak (13:7) and he was truly desperate. So, at last, he turned to God and he asked God to help him.
God heard that prayer and he sent help. He cared about his poor people who were suffering so much. 2 Kings 13:5 says that God sent a saviour, a rescuer. A similar word appears in 2 Kings 14:27 to refer to Jeroboam, Jehoahaz’s grandson. So, some people think that 2 Kings 13:5 is also referring to Jeroboam. They say, therefore, that God answered Jehoahaz’s prayer – but only long after Jehoahaz’s death.
We do not like that explanation. In our opinion, the Bible is referring to something that God did during the life of Jehoahaz. God saw that the people were suffering; he cared about them although they did not turn back fully to him (13:6). The rule of Jehoahaz was the time when they were most desperate. So that was the time when they most needed God’s help; and therefore, that was the time when it was urgent for God to act.
The Bible does not tell us who that rescuer was. He could have been a military leader in Israel who won a battle against Aram. He could have been a foreign king who attacked Aram – and so Aram’s army had to leave Israel. The result was that Israel’s people lived in safety again. They were safe both in their towns, and even when they lived in tents in the country areas. The attacks by Aram’s army, from which they had suffered for so long, had ended.
Next part: Wrong religions at the time of Jehoahaz (2 Kings 13:6)
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