2 Kings 13:1-25, NLT
2 Kings 13
Jehoahaz Rules in Israel
1Jehoahaz son of Jehu began to rule over Israel in the twenty-third year of King Joash’s reign in Judah. He reigned in Samaria seventeen years.
4Then Jehoahaz prayed for the Lord’s help, and the Lord heard his prayer, for he could see how severely the king of Aram was oppressing Israel.
6But they continued to sin, following the evil example of Jeroboam. They also allowed the Asherah pole in Samaria to remain standing.
8The rest of the events in Jehoahaz’s reign—everything he did and the extent of his power—are recorded in The Book of the History of the Kings of Israel.
Jehoash Rules in Israel
10Jehoash son of Jehoahaz began to rule over Israel in the thirty-seventh year of King Joash’s reign in Judah. He reigned in Samaria sixteen years.
12The rest of the events in Jehoash’s reign and everything he did, including the extent of his power and his war with King Amaziah of Judah, are recorded in The Book of the History of the Kings of Israel.
Elisha’s Final Prophecy
14When Elisha was in his last illness, King Jehoash of Israel visited him and wept over him. “My father! My father! I see the chariots and charioteers of Israel!” he cried.
15Elisha told him, “Get a bow and some arrows.” And the king did as he was told.
17Then he commanded, “Open that eastern window,” and he opened it. Then he said, “Shoot!” So he shot an arrow. Elisha proclaimed, “This is the Lord’s arrow, an arrow of victory over Aram, for you will completely conquer the Arameans at Aphek.”
18Then he said, “Now pick up the other arrows and strike them against the ground.” So the king picked them up and struck the ground three times.
20Then Elisha died and was buried.
Groups of Moabite raiders used to invade the land each spring.
22King Hazael of Aram had oppressed Israel during the entire reign of King Jehoahaz.
24King Hazael of Aram died, and his son Ben-hadad became the next king.