Bible Chapter Summary
2 Kings 13 Summary
Israel's Struggle Against Syria
Jehoahaz reigns over Israel but does evil, and the LORD delivers Israel into Syrian hands. Jehoahaz pleads with the LORD, who sends a savior so Israel escapes the Syrians' oppression, yet they continue following Jeroboam's sins. Syria reduces Israel's military forces to minimal strength. When King Joash arrives at the dying Elisha, the prophet instructs him to shoot arrows eastward as a sign of victory. Elisha warns that Joash's three strikes on the ground means only three victories over Syria. After Elisha dies, even his bones bring life to a dead man.
Key themes
Key verses
2 Kings 13:3-4
“And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he delivered them into the hand of Hazael king of Syria, and into the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael, all their days.”
2 Kings 13:14-17
“Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.”
2 Kings 13:19
“And the man of God was wroth with him, and said, Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice.”
2 Kings 13:21
“And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.”
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