Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 13
God had given Jehoash the task to free Israel from the power of its cruel enemy, the army of Aram. God showed Jehoash by means of Elisha, that he (God) would give Jehoash the power to do it. Jehoash simply had to obey and to trust God.
However, Jehoash’s reaction to Elisha’s instructions showed his (Jehoash’s) attitude. Jehoash would not refuse to carry out that work for God – however, Jehoash would not finish the task. He only wanted to do as much of it as, in his opinion, he needed to do. He would not trust and obey God completely. So, he would not complete the rescue of Israel from Aram’s army during his rule.
That attitude made Elisha angry. God showed Elisha what it would mean for the future of Israel. Jehoash would win three battles, to regain towns that Aram’s king had taken from Israel (13:25). However, that was not enough to free Israel from the cruel actions of Aram’s army. Elisha saw that cruelty even before it happened – and it had then caused him to cry (8:11-12). Now, the king whom God had chosen to free Israel was unwilling to complete the task. That was why Elisha became angry.
Everyone in Israel would continue to suffer from Aram’s cruelty until the rule of Jeroboam. He was Jehoash’s son, and he would fight a series of wars with great success. Unlike his father, he continued to fight until he had regained a vast area of land for Israel (14:25-27).
Next part: A dead man touches Elisha's bones, and becomes alive (2 Kings 13:20-21)
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