Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Kings 13

In this chapter, the history of the kingdom of Israel is traced through the two reigns of Jehoahaz and Jehoash. The history of Judah is resumed in 2 Kings 14:0.

In the twenty-third year—Rather, the “twenty-first year.” See 2 Kings 13:10.

All their days - literally, “all the days.” This does not refer to “all the days” of the two Syrian kings, since Ben-hadad lost to Joash all the cities he had gained from Jehoahaz (2 Kings 13:25). Rather, it means either “all the days of Jehoahaz” (2 Kings 13:22) or “all the days of Hazael”—a period including both the time he led his own armies and the time they were led by his son.

The Lord gave Israel a saviour — This did not happen immediately upon the repentance of Jehoahaz but after his death (see 2 Kings 13:25).

They went out from under the hand of the Syrians — That is, they ceased to be oppressed by the Syrians; they shook off their yoke and became perfectly independent once more.

Tents — See the note on 1 Kings 8:66.

But walked in it — Rather, “he walked in it,” meaning Joash, the “savior” of the preceding verse.

There remained the grove also in Samaria — It seems strange that Jehu had not destroyed this when he abolished the worship of Baal (2 Kings 10:26–28). Perhaps the “grove,” or Asherah worship, was too closely connected with the old worship in the high places to be set aside with the same ease as the rites newly introduced from Phoenicia.

The meaning is that “he, the king of Syria” (2 Kings 13:4; Hazael) limited the standing army of Jehoahaz.

Like the dust by threshing—an expression not only employed metaphorically, signifying defeat, conquest, and grinding oppression (Jeremiah 51:33; Micah 4:12), but also implying the literal use of threshing instruments in the execution of prisoners of war (compare to 2 Samuel 12:31).