2 Kings 13-15

After Jehu died the northern kingdom again fell into sin and God was displeased with their idolatry. During this period Elisha became sick and died but not before prophesying that Israel would defeat Aram three times. It could have been more but Jehoash, king of Israel, was not enthusiastic enough in pounding the ground with his arrows. It is also recounts that after Elisha died and was buried a body thrown into his tomb came back to life (13:20f). This is quite a powerful epilogue to a spirit-filled life.

After Joash was assassinated his son Amaziah came to power. Although he had his father’s assassins executed he did not kill their children. This was in observance of the Law of Moses and was obviously so out of character for this time period that it warranted mention in the historical records. Amaziah followed the ways of Joash and was therefore fairly righteous. He defeated Edom and then made the foolish decision to fight Israel. His army was soundly defeated and Jerusalem, along with the temple, was sacked.

Many kings are passed over with brief mention in these chapters. Only those things which have special significance with relation to God are focussed on. For example: “So the word of the Lord spoken to Jehu was fulfilled: ‘Your descendants will sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation’” (15:12). Usually there is a comment made that a king “did evil in the eyes of the Lord” or that he “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord;” often in the latter case with the exception that the high places were not removed.