2 Kings 13

Passage overview

1 Chronicles 13 begins with the story of how, after David became king, the ark of God (the covenant ark) is to be moved to Jerusalem, where it will be established. This is where David’s intention to reestablish Israel’s faith at its center becomes evident. David consults the people and the leaders together and decides that moving the ark will be the work of the entire Israelite community.

1verseIn the twenty-third year of Joash the son of Ahaziah, king of Judah, Jehoahaz the son of Jehu began to reign over Israel in Samaria for seventeen years.

2verseHe did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight, and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin. He didn’t depart from it.

3verseThe LORD’s anger burned against Israel, and he delivered them into the hand of Hazael king of Syria, and into the hand of Benhadad the son of Hazael, continually.

4verseJehoahaz begged the LORD, and the LORD listened to him; for he saw the oppression of Israel, how the king of Syria oppressed them.

5verse(The LORD gave Israel a savior, so that they went out from under the hand of the Syrians; and the children of Israel lived in their tents as before.

6verseNevertheless they didn’t depart from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, with which he made Israel to sin, but walked in them; and the Asherah also remained in Samaria.)

7verseFor he didn’t leave to Jehoahaz of the people any more than fifty horsemen, and ten chariots, and ten thousand footmen; for the king of Syria destroyed them and made them like the dust in threshing.

8verseNow the rest of the acts of Jehoahaz, and all that he did, and his might, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

9verseJehoahaz slept with his fathers; and they buried him in Samaria; and Joash his son reigned in his place.

10verseIn the thirty-seventh year of Joash king of Judah, Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz began to reign over Israel in Samaria for sixteen years.

11verseHe did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight. He didn’t depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin; but he walked in them.

12verseNow the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, and his might with which he fought against Amaziah king of Judah, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

13verseJoash slept with his fathers; and Jeroboam sat on his throne. Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel.

14verseNow Elisha became sick with the illness of which he died; and Joash the king of Israel came down to him, and wept over him, and said, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!”

15verseElisha said to him, “Take bow and arrows;” and he took bow and arrows for himself.

16verseHe said to the king of Israel, “Put your hand on the bow;” and he put his hand on it. Elisha laid his hands on the king’s hands.

17verseHe said, “Open the window eastward;” and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot!” and he shot. He said, “The LORD’s arrow of victory, even the arrow of victory over Syria; for you will strike the Syrians in Aphek until you have consumed them.”

18verseHe said, “Take the arrows;” and he took them. He said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground;” and he struck three times, and stopped.

19verseThe man of God was angry with him, and said, “You should have struck five or six times. Then you would have struck Syria until you had consumed it, but now you will strike Syria just three times.”

20verseElisha died, and they buried him. Now the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year.

21verseAs they were burying a man, behold, they saw a band of raiders; and they threw the man into Elisha’s tomb. As soon as the man touched Elisha’s bones, he revived, and stood up on his feet.

22verseHazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz.

23verseBut the LORD was gracious to them, and had compassion on them, and favored them because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them and he didn’t cast them from his presence as yet.

24verseHazael king of Syria died; and Benhadad his son reigned in his place.

25verseJehoash the son of Jehoahaz took again out of the hand of Benhadad the son of Hazael the cities which he had taken out of the hand of Jehoahaz his father by war. Joash struck him three times, and recovered the cities of Israel.

Carrying the Ark and Uzzah’s Death

As David and all Israel rejoice greatly while carrying the ark, they set the ark on a new cart and proceed. But when the oxen stumble, Uzzah reaches out to steady the ark, and God strikes him so that Uzzah dies. This shows the tension between God’s holiness and respect for God’s law, and human good intentions and God’s command. Because of what happens, David becomes afraid and leaves the ark in the house of Obed-edom on that day.

A Clue to Blessing and a New Beginning

While the ark remains in the house of Obed-edom, Obed-edom and his family receive God’s blessing. This symbolically shows the blessing that comes when God’s presence comes, and it also hints at David’s change and preparation to move the ark again afterward.

Meditation Points

  • When carrying out God’s work, it matters how you do it. You can reflect on the fact that although goodwill and the community’s enthusiasm are also needed, you must put God’s commands and will first.
  • You can also think about how God’s presence brings blessing not only to those who feel fear, but to those who obey.

Try Applying It to Me

  • In my life, when I try to carry out God’s will, do I look back to see whether I’m putting only my own thoughts and methods first?
  • Check whether I’m doing things with humility and respect before God, and think about what I need to prepare so that my life becomes one where God’s presence remains.

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