The Lord's Arrow of Victory, Ron Ward
HE SOUGHT THE LORD'S FAVOR, BUT...
Passage: 2Kings 13:1~13  
Key verse: 4-5a,6a
Jehoahaz King of Israel
13 In the twenty-third year of Joash son of Ahaziah king of Judah, Jehoahaz son of Jehu became king of Israel in Samaria, and he reigned seventeen years. 2 He did evil(A) in the eyes of the Lord by following the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit, and he did not turn away from them. 3 So the Lord’s anger(B) burned against Israel, and for a long time he kept them under the power(C) of Hazael king of Aram and Ben-Hadad(D) his son.
4 Then Jehoahaz sought(E) the Lord’s favor, and the Lord listened to him, for he saw(F) how severely the king of Aram was oppressing(G) Israel. 5 The Lord provided a deliverer(H) for Israel, and they escaped from the power of Aram. So the Israelites lived in their own homes as they had before. 6 But they did not turn away from the sins(I) of the house of Jeroboam, which he had caused Israel to commit; they continued in them. Also, the Asherah pole[a](J) remained standing in Samaria.
7 Nothing had been left(K) of the army of Jehoahaz except fifty horsemen, ten chariots and ten thousand foot soldiers, for the king of Aram had destroyed the rest and made them like the dust(L) at threshing time.
8 As for the other events of the reign of Jehoahaz, all he did and his achievements, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel? 9 Jehoahaz rested with his ancestors and was buried in Samaria. And Jehoash[b] his son succeeded him as king.
Jehoash King of Israel
10 In the thirty-seventh year of Joash king of Judah, Jehoash son of Jehoahaz became king of Israel in Samaria, and he reigned sixteen years. 11 He did evil in the eyes of the Lord and did not turn away from any of the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit; he continued in them.
12 As for the other events of the reign of Jehoash, all he did and his achievements, including his war against Amaziah(M) king of Judah, are they not written in the book of the annals(N) of the kings of Israel? 13 Jehoash rested with his ancestors, and Jeroboam(O) succeeded him on the throne. Jehoash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel.
Footnotes
- 2 Kings 13:6 That is, a wooden symbol of the goddess Asherah; here and elsewhere in 2 Kings
- 2 Kings 13:9 Hebrew Joash, a variant of Jehoash; also in verses 12-14 and 25
Cross references
- 2 Kings 13:2 : 1Ki 12:26-33
- 2 Kings 13:3 : S Dt 31:17
- 2 Kings 13:3 : S 1Ki 19:17
- 2 Kings 13:3 : ver 24
- 2 Kings 13:4 : S Dt 4:29
- 2 Kings 13:4 : S Dt 26:7
- 2 Kings 13:4 : S Nu 10:9; 2Sa 7:10
- 2 Kings 13:5 : S Ge 45:7; S Dt 28:29; S Jdg 2:18
- 2 Kings 13:6 : 1Ki 12:30
- 2 Kings 13:6 : S 1Ki 16:33
- 2 Kings 13:7 : 2Ki 10:32-33
- 2 Kings 13:7 : S 2Sa 22:43
- 2 Kings 13:12 : 2Ki 14:15
- 2 Kings 13:12 : 1Ki 15:31
- 2 Kings 13:13 : 2Ki 14:23; Hos 1:1
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source:  BibleGateway
1. Jehoahaz became king in Israel and he followed the bad influence of Jeroboam's sins (1-5)
The LORD's anger burned against Israel and he kept them under the enemy's power for a long time. Finally, Jehoahaz sought the LORD's favor, which is always a good idea. The LORD listened and provided a deliverer to save them from severe oppression. So they lived in their own homes again. God is so merciful!
2. In spite of God's merciful deliverance and help, they still worshiped idols (6-13)
How stubborn, sinful and forgetful we are also in mind and heart and behavior! The next king of Israel, Jehoash was no better. He also followed the sins of others before him. How serious is one person's influence on others-their family, their nation, even the next generations!
Prayer: Lord, how great is your mercy upon sinners, like me! Help me to seek your favor earnestly, and wholeheartedly, with no 'but.'
One Word: Seek the Lord's favor earnestly and faithfully