But Hazael ... oppressed. —Rather, Now Hazael ... had oppressed. The narrative returns to 2 Kings 13:3.

But Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz. And the LORD was gracious to them, and had compassion on them, and had resp…

But Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of
Jehoahaz .
] That he reigne…

God has many ways to chastise a provoking people. Trouble sometimes comes from that point from which we least feared it.