2 Kings

2 Kings 13: The LORD is gracious to Israel

Begin in prayer

Before we read about Jehoahaz, Joash, and the old prophet Elisha, let us draw near to the Lord together. Ask Him to show us His grace, and to show us Jesus, the better Mediator of the covenant.

I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts to him and to his mourners.

Isaiah 57:18

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You are gracious and keep Your covenant. Help us to cry to You in our trouble and trust You for life. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Jehoahaz becomes king of Israel and does evil, following the sins of Jeroboam. The LORD's anger burns, and He hands Israel over to Hazael and Ben-hadad of Syria. Jehoahaz begs the LORD, and the LORD listens, because He sees how Syria oppresses Israel, so He gives Israel a savior. Yet the people do not turn from the sins of Jeroboam, and the army of Jehoahaz is cut down. Elisha falls sick, and King Joash weeps over him. Elisha tells Joash to shoot an arrow and strike the ground, and then Elisha dies. A man touches Elisha's bones and comes back to life, and the LORD is gracious to Israel because of His covenant.

As you read 2 Kings 13, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD was gracious to Israel and kept His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Jehoahaz did evil and followed the sins of Jeroboam, so the LORD's anger burned against Israel (verses 2 and 3). He gave Israel into Syria's hand, and Syria left Jehoahaz only fifty horsemen and ten chariots (verses 3 and 7). Jehoahaz begged the LORD, and the LORD listened and gave Israel a savior (verses 4 and 5). Yet Israel did not turn from the sins of Jeroboam (verse 6). King Joash struck the ground three times, and Elisha said he would strike Syria only three times (verses 18 and 19). After Elisha died, a dead man touched his bones and stood up alive (verses 20 and 21). The LORD was gracious to Israel and had compassion on them, because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (verse 23). Joash then took back from Ben-hadad, the son of Hazael, the cities that Syria had held (verse 25). This shows that the LORD's mercy rested on His own covenant, and Israel had not earned it.

How does 2 Kings 13 show us that the LORD was gracious to Israel, and kept His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?

The LORD listens to a king who begs for help.

Jehoahaz begged the LORD, and the LORD listened (verse 4). He saw how Syria oppressed Israel (verse 4). The LORD gave Israel a savior, and they went out from under the hand of the Syrians (verse 5).

The LORD is gracious because of His covenant.

The LORD was gracious, had compassion, and would not destroy Israel (verse 23). He did this because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (verse 23). Israel had not turned from the sins of Jeroboam (verse 6).

A dead man lives when he touches Elisha's bones.

A band of raiders came while some men were burying a man, so they threw him into Elisha's tomb (verse 21). As soon as he touched Elisha's bones, he revived and stood up on his feet (verse 21). The text does not say who gave him life, but the LORD kills and makes alive (1 Samuel 2 verse 6). Jesus is the resurrection and the life (John 11 verse 25).

Memorise

Yahweh was gracious to them, and had compassion on them, and had respect for them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob

2 Kings 13:23

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, when I am in trouble, will I cry to the LORD and come to Jesus?

Jehoahaz begged the LORD, and the LORD listened and gave Israel a savior. The LORD was gracious because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jesus is the Savior whom God sent, and He is the Mediator of a better covenant (Hebrews 8 verse 6).

Sin keeps every person in bondage, and no savior from Syria could free a person from it. Jesus died on the cross in His people's place, and His death pays for all their sin. He was buried, and on the third day He rose again.

Come to Him now, turn from your sin, and rest in Jesus. Repent and turn to God, so that your sins may be blotted out (Acts 3 verse 19). That is forgiveness for everyone who trusts Him.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD listened to Jehoahaz and was gracious because of His covenant, and that Jesus is the Savior. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Parents, you may want to explain verses 20 and 21 in your own words. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He is gracious and keeps His covenant, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

For Yahweh will judge his people, and have compassion on his servants.

Psalm 135:14

Father, thank You that You are gracious to Your people and keep Your covenant. Thank You for Jesus, the Savior and Mediator of a better covenant, who gave Himself for His people. Help each child turn from sin and trust Jesus. Help us to cry to You in trouble this week. Amen.