II Kings 13:23
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But the LORD was gracious to Israel and had compassion on them, and He turned toward them because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And to this day, the LORD has been unwilling to destroy them or cast them from His presence.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
This chapter brings us again to the history of the kings of Israel, and particularly of the family of Jehu. We have here an account of the reign, I. Of his son Jehoahaz, which continued seventeen years. 1. His bad character in general (Kg2 13:1, Kg2 13:2), the trouble he was brought into (Kg2 13:3), and the low ebb of his affairs (Kg2 13:7). 2. His humiliation before God, and God's compassion towards him (Kg2 13:4, Kg2 13:5, and Kg2 13:23). 3. His continuance in his idolatry notwithstanding (Kg2 13:6). 4. His death (Kg2 13:8, Kg2 13:9). II. Of his grandson Joash, which continued sixteen years. Here is a general account of his reign in the usual form (Kg2 13:10-13), but a particular account of the death of Elisha in his time. 1. The kind visit the king made him (Kg2 13:14), the encouragement he gave the king in his wars with Syria (Kg2 13:15-19). 2. His death and burial (Kg2 13:20), and a miracle wrought by his bones (Kg2 13:21). And, lastly, the advantages Joash gained against the Syrians, according to his predictions (Kg2 13:24, Kg2 13:25).
Open source ↗13:23 Despite Israel’s continued infidelity, God remained faithful to his covenant with Abraham (Gen 12:1-3; 13:15-17; 15:18-20; 17:6-8). By listing Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the writer emphasizes Israel’s spiritual identity with the Lord and its possession of the land of promise (see Gen 50:24; Exod 3:6, 15-16; 6:3, 6-8; Deut 6:10; 9:5; 34:4).
Open source ↗Cross-references
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He remembers His covenant forever, the word He ordained for a thousand generations—
and since the LORD had said that He would not blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, He saved them by the hand of Jeroboam son of Jehoash.
But You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness.
For because of the anger of the LORD, all this happened in Jerusalem and Judah, until He finally banished them from His presence. And Zedekiah also rebelled against the king of Babylon.
Yet regard the prayer and plea of Your servant, O LORD my God, so that You may hear the cry and the prayer that Your servant is praying before You today.
So the LORD was very angry with Israel, and He removed them from His presence. Only the tribe of Judah remained,
But after I have uprooted them, I will once again have compassion on them and return each one to his inheritance and to his land.
So the LORD said, “My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days shall be 120 years.”
then I will remember My covenant with Jacob and My covenant with Isaac and My covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land.
For the LORD will vindicate His people and have compassion on His servants when He sees that their strength is gone and no one remains, slave or free.