BibleWord.ai› Bible› 2 Kings› Chapter 13› Verse 4

2 Kings 13:4

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Kings 13:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Jehoahaz besought Jehovah, and Jehovah hearkened unto him; for he saw the oppression of Israel, how that the king of Syria oppressed them.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Jehoahaz besought Jehovah, and Jehovah hearkened unto him; for he saw the oppression of Israel, how that the king of Syria oppressed them.
2 Kings 13:4 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Kings 13

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1In the three and twentieth year of Joash the son of Ahaziah, king of Judah, Jehoahaz the son of Jehu began to reign over Israel in Samaria, [and reigned] seventeen years.
2And he did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, wherewith he made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom.
3And the anger of Jehovah was kindled 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.
4And Jehoahaz besought Jehovah, and Jehovah hearkened unto him; for he saw the oppression of Israel, how that the king of Syria oppressed them.
5(And Jehovah gave Israel a saviour, so that they went out from under the hand of the Syrians; and the children of Israel dwelt in their tents as beforetime.
6Nevertheless they departed not from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, wherewith he made Israel to sin, but walked therein: and there remained the Asherah also in Samaria.)
7For he left not to Jehoahaz of the people save fifty horsemen, and ten chariots, and ten thousand footmen; for the king of Syria destroyed them, and made them like the dust in threshing.
← 2 Kings 13:32 Kings 13:5 →
← Full Chapter 13 2 Kings Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Jehoahaz besought the Lord, and the Lord hearkened unto him, etc.] He did not apply in his distress to the calves he worshipped, but to the Lord; who had a regard to his prayer, not for his sake, or any righteousness of his, or even his repentance and humiliation, which were only external; but for the sake of Israel, and because they were oppressed, who were his people, and he their God, though they had sadly departed from him: for he saw the oppression of Israel; not only with his eye of omniscience, but with an eye of mercy and compassion: because the king of Syria oppressed them; by his incursions upon them, and wars with them.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“he saw the oppression of Israel--that is, commiserated the fallen condition of His chosen people. The divine honor and the interests of true religion required that deliverance should be granted them to check the triumph of the idolatrous enemy and put an end to their blasphemous taunts that God had forsaken Israel (Deu 32:27; Psa 12:4).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“13:4-5 Jehoahaz prayed . . . the Lord heard: Despite Jehoahaz’s poor spiritual condition, God graciously answered his prayer. The Lord graciously answers the earnest prayers of his people (see also 4:32-35; 6:17-20; 19:14-28; 20:2-6; 1 Kgs 3:8-14; 13:4-6; 17:21-23; 18:36-39; Ps 34:4-7; Jas 5:16). • provided someone to rescue the Israelites (cp. Judg 3:9, 15): Scholars have suggested many possibilities for Israel’s rescuer, the most likely being King Adad-nirari III of Assyria, whose westward thrusts brought about the capture of Damascus in 802 BC.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Jehoahaz: Num 21:7; Jdg 6:6, Jdg 6:7, Jdg 10:10; Psa 78:34; Isa 26:16; Jer 2:27 the Lord: Kg2 14:26; Gen 21:17; Exo 3:7; Jdg 10:15, Jdg 10:16; Ch2 33:12, Ch2 33:13, Ch2 33:19; Psa 50:15; Psa 106:43, Psa 106:44; Jer 33:3 he saw: Gen 31:42; Exo 3:9; Isa 63:9 because the king: Kg2 13:22, Kg2 14:26 4 Kings (2 Kings) 13:5”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read 2 Kings 13 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification