Jehoahaz’s Reign over Israel

13:1 In the twenty-third year of the reign of Judah’s King Joash son of Ahaziah, Jehu’s son Jehoahaz became king over Israel. He reigned in Samaria1 for seventeen years. 13:2 He did evil in the sight of2 the Lord. He continued in3 the sinful ways of Jeroboam son of Nebat who had encouraged Israel to sin; he did not repudiate those sins.4 13:3 The Lord was furious with5 Israel and handed them over to6 King Hazael of Syria and to Hazael’s son Ben Hadad for many years.7

13:4 Jehoahaz asked for the Lord’s mercy8 and the Lord responded favorably,9 for he saw that Israel was oppressed by the king of Syria.10 13:5 The Lord provided a deliverer11 for Israel and they were freed from Syria’s power.12 The Israelites once more lived in security.13 13:6 But they did not repudiate14 the sinful ways of the family15 of Jeroboam, who encouraged Israel to sin; they continued in those sins.16 There was even an Asherah pole17 standing in Samaria. 13:7 Jehoahaz had no army left18 except for fifty horsemen, ten chariots, and 10,000 foot soldiers. The king of Syria had destroyed his troops19 and trampled on them like dust.20

13:8 The rest of the events of Jehoahaz’s reign, including all his accomplishments and successes, are recorded in the scroll called the Annals of the Kings of Israel.21 13:9 Jehoahaz passed away22 and was buried23 in Samaria. His son Joash replaced him as king.