Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 13

A great leader whose nation became very weak

2 Kings 13:8-9

It is easy to blame a ruler for his country’s troubles. However, that is not always correct.

Northern and central Israel became an extremely weak nation when Jehoahaz was king. We might accuse him of poor leadership or a lack of military skills. However, the Bible does not say such things about him. Rather, the Bible describes Jehoahaz as a great and powerful leader.

The reason that the Bible gives for those troubles, was the power of the kings of Aram (13:3). Jehoahaz was a powerful king – but his enemies were too powerful for him. Their army was stronger than his army – and after a series of defeats, his army became extremely weak.

The real cause of this was God’s anger against the evil deeds of the people in Israel. They had turned away from God and they neglected his law. So God did not protect them from Aram’s army. He permitted them to suffer their enemies’ attacks because he wanted his own people to turn back to him.

Jehoahaz did turn back to God – sincerely, but perhaps not completely. Still, God answered his prayer and God rescued Israel from the power of Aram (13:4-5).

God had promised that four kings would come from the family of Jehu, who was Jehoahaz’s father (10:30). When Jehoahaz died, his son Jehoash (also called Joash) became the second of those four kings. So, the family of Jehu continued its rule over northern and central Israel.

Next part: King Jehoash of Israel (2 Kings 13:10-13)

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