II Kings 13:7
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Jehoahaz had no army left, except fifty horsemen, ten chariots, and ten thousand foot soldiers, because the king of Aram had destroyed them and made them like the dust at threshing.
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 ↗13:7 Years of Aramean oppression severely reduced Israel’s army. Only God could save Israel from complete destruction (13:4-5). Ultimately, only God can rescue a helpless and lost humanity (Ps 35:10; Rom 5:6-8).
Open source ↗Cross-references
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This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Damascus, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they threshed Gilead with sledges of iron.
In those days the LORD began to reduce the size of Israel. Hazael defeated the Israelites throughout their territory
Who has aroused one from the east and called him to his feet in righteousness? He hands nations over to him and subdues kings before him. He turns them to dust with his sword, to windblown chaff with his bow.
Now, therefore, make a bargain with my master, the king of Assyria. I will give you two thousand horses—if you can put riders on them!
Then Samuel set out from Gilgal and went up to Gibeah in Benjamin. And Saul numbered the troops who were with him, about six hundred men.
“Why is my lord weeping?” asked Hazael. “Because I know the evil you will do to the Israelites,” Elisha replied. “You will set fire to their fortresses, kill their young men with the sword, dash their little ones to pieces, and rip open their pregnant women.”
The Israelites also mobilized, gathered supplies, and marched out to meet them. The Israelites camped before them like two small flocks of goats, while the Arameans covered the countryside.
Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the Day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
I ground them as dust in the face of the wind; I trampled them like mud in the streets.
So Ahab assembled the young officers of the district governors, and there were 232 men. And after them, he assembled the rest of the Israelite troops, 7,000 in all.