Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 13
Jehoash had shot his first arrow, as Elisha told him to do. Elisha then explained the meaning of that action. It meant that God would give Jehoash success in his first battle against Aram’s army. God was rescuing Israel’s people from the cruel enemy that had power over them.
Then Elisha told Jehoash to strike the ground with his other arrows. In our opinion, he meant that Jehoash must shoot each of his other arrows in turn. That was how a soldier practised with his bow and arrows. He would shoot his arrows in a particular direction, and afterwards, he would collect them from the ground. That was what Jonathan was doing in 1 Samuel 20:35-40.
Jehoash was not merely practising. As he shot each arrow, he was obeying God’s message to him by Elisha. In that way, Jehoash was expressing trust in God. Each arrow that he shot, meant success in another battle against Aram’s army.
So Jehoash shot three arrows – and then he stopped. He still had more arrows to shoot – but he did not shoot them. It seems that he doubted God’s message to him. Perhaps he doubted the power of God to win so many battles against such a strong enemy. So, Jehoash would not continue. He had obeyed three times what Elisha as God’s prophet (holy man) had told him to do. However, after that he would not obey Elisha. Jehoash considered that he had already done enough.
Next part: Jehoash would not completely defeat Aram (2 Kings 13:19)
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