2-а царів 13:10

Reign of Jehoash or Joash of Israel. - On the commencement of his reign see at Kg2 13:1. He also walked in the sins of Jeroboam (compare Kg2 13:11 with Kg2 13:2 and Kg2 13:6). The war with Amaziah referred to in Kg2 13:12 is related in the history of this king in Kg2 14:8-14; and the close of the reign of Joash is also recorded there (Kg2 14:15 and Kg2 14:16) with the standing formula. And even here it ought not to be introduced till the end of the chapter, instead of in Kg2 13:12 and Kg2 13:13, inasmuch as the verses which follow relate several things belonging to the reign of Joash. But as they are connected with the termination of Elisha's life, it was quite admissible to wind up the reign of Joash with Kg2 13:13.

We have here Jehoash, or Joash, the son of Jehoahaz and grandson of Jehu, upon the throne of Israel. Probably the house of Jehu intended some respect to the house of David when they gave this heir-apparent to the crown the same name with him that was then king of Judah. I. The general account here given of him and his reign is much the same with what we have already met with, and has little in it remarkable, Kg2 13:10-13. He was none of the worst, and yet, because he kept up that ancient and politic idolatry of the house of Jeroboam, it is said, He did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord. That one evil was enough to leave an indelible mark of infamy upon his name; for, how little evil soever men saw in it, it was, in the sight of the Lord, a very wicked thing; and we are sure that his judgment is according to truth. It is observable how lightly the inspired penman passes over his acts, and his might wherewith he warred, leaving it to the common historians to record them, while he takes notice only of the respect he showed to Elisha. One good action shall make a better figure in God's book than twenty great ones; and, in his account, it gains a man a much better reputation to honour a prophet than to conquer a king and his army. II. The particular account of what passed between him and Elisha has several things in it remarkable. 1. Elisha fell sick, Kg2 13:14. Observe, (1.) He lived long; for it was now about sixty years since he was first called to be a prophet. It was a great mercy to Israel, and especially to the sons of the prophets, that he was continued so long a burning and shining light. Elijah finished his testimony in a fourth part of that time. God's prophets have their day set them, some longer, others shorter, as Infinite Wisdom sees fit. (2.) All t…

13:10-13 The narrator atypically combines the accession statement for Jehoash with the usual closing notice concerning his reign. This arrangement allows him to focus attention on some final details about Elisha (13:14-21) and Israel’s continuing problem with Aram (13:22-25) before returning to Jehoash’s war with King Amaziah of Judah in 14:8-14. • The Book of the History of the Kings of Israel: See study note on 1 Kgs 14:19-20.