Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Kings 13

THE REIGN OF JEHOAHAZ.

In the twenty-third year of Joash. — Josephus makes it the twenty-first year of Joash, but wrongly. According to 2 Kings 12:1, Joash succeeded in the seventh year of Jehu, and Jehu reigned twenty-eight years (2 Kings 10:36).

Seventeen years. — This agrees with 2 Kings 14:1.

And he did. — See Notes on 2 Kings 3:3.

He delivered them into the hand of Hazael. — Compare 2 Kings 10:32 and following. The meaning is that Jehovah allowed Israel to be defeated in successive encounters with the Syrian forces, and to suffer loss of territory, but not total subjugation. According to the Assyrian data, Shalmaneser warred with Hazael in 842 B.C., and again in 839 B.C. (See Notes on 2 Kings 8:15; 2 Kings 9:2.)

All their days. — Rather, all the days, i.e., continually (not all the days of Jehoahaz, nor of Hazael and Ben-hadad). The phrase is an indefinite designation of a long period of disaster.

Besought. — Literally, stroked the face of; a metaphor that occurs in Exodus 32:11 and 1 Kings 13:6.

And the Lord hearkened unto him. — Not, however, immediately (see 2 Kings 13:7). The Syrian invasions, which began under Jehu, were renewed again and again throughout the reign of Jehoahaz (2 Kings 13:22), until the tide of conquest began to turn in the time of Joash (2 Kings 13:15), whose incomplete victories (2 Kings 13:17, 2 Kings 13:19, 2 Kings 13:25) were followed by the permanent successes of his son Jeroboam II (2 Kings 14:25–28).

The parenthetical statement in 2 Kings 13:5, therefore, really begins with the words, And the Lord hearkened. The historian added it to point out that although the prayer of Jehoahaz did not meet with an immediate response, it was not ultimately ineffectual.

For he saw the oppression. — Compare with Exodus 3:7 and Deuteronomy 26:7.

The king of Syria. — Intentionally general, to include both Hazael and Ben-hadad III, his son (2 Kings 13:24).

A saviour. —Jeroboam II, the grandson of Jehoahaz, a vigorous and successful sovereign, of whom it is said that Jehovah saved Israel by his hand (2 Kings 14:27).

They went out from under the hand. —Referring to the oppressive supremacy of Syria. From these words, and from those of 2 Kings 13:22, it would appear that Israel was tributary to Syria during some part of this period.

Dwelt in their tents —that is, in the open country. In time of war they were obliged to take refuge in strongholds and fortified cities.

As before time. —See Note on 1 Chronicles 11:2; Genesis 31:2.

Nevertheless they departed not. —The restoration of Divine favor did not result in the abolition of the irregular worship introduced by Jeroboam I as the state religion of the northern kingdom. This is written, of course, from the point of view of the Judean editor of Kings, who lived long after the events he describes, writing during the period of the exile. It does not appear from the history of Elijah and Elisha, incorporated in his work, that either of those great prophets ever protested against the worship established at Bethel and Dan.

The house of Jeroboam —Some manuscripts, the Syriac, Targum, and Arabic omit “house.” But the specification of the dynasty is here very appropriate.

But walked therein. —Rather, therein they walked; the reading of the Septuagint (Alex.), Vulgate, and Targum being probably correct. It is the conduct of the nation that is being described.

And there remained the grove also in Samaria. —Rather, and moreover the Asherah stood (that is, was set up) in Samaria. The Asherah was the sacred tree, so often depicted in Assyrian art. It symbolized the productive principle of nature, and was sacred to Ashtoreth. With the return of peace, and the renewal of prosperity, luxury also soon reappeared, and the idolatry that specially countenanced it lifted up its head again. (See the Note on 2 Kings 17:16.)

Neither did he leave of the people to Jehoahaz. —Rather, For he had not left to Jehoahaz (any) people (i.e., fighting men; 1 Kings 16:15). The subject appears to be Jehovah. The narrative returns, after the long parenthesis, to the statement of 2 Kings 13:4, and Jehoahaz pleaded with Jehovah (for he had not left, etc.). Or we might translate, one had not left, i.e., there was not left.

Fifty horsemen, and ten chariots. —The mention of so small a number appears to indicate the result of the Israelite losses in some great battle, or in successive engagements. The destruction of these particular kinds of forces was equivalent to complete disarmament, and rendered further resistance hopeless, as the Syrians were especially strong in chariots and horsemen. (See Note on 2 Kings 2:12.)

Had made them like the dust by threshing. —Rather, and set them like the dust to trample on or tread underfoot. Israel was down-trodden by the conqueror. (Compare 2 Samuel 22:43; Isaiah 10:6.)