2 Kings 13:4

4 Then Jehoahaz ¹sought the favor of the LORD, and the LORD listened to him, ²for he saw the oppression of Israel, how the king of Syria oppressed them.

2 Kings 13:4 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 13:4

And Jehoahaz besought the Lord, and the Lord hearkened unto
him
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.

2 Kings 13:4 In-Context

2 He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin; he did not depart from them.

3 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he gave them continually into the hand of Hazael king of Syria and into the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael.

4 Then Jehoahaz sought the favor of the LORD, and the LORD listened to him, for he saw the oppression of Israel, how the king of Syria oppressed them.

5 (Therefore the LORD gave Israel a savior, so that they escaped from the hand of the Syrians, and the people of Israel lived in their homes as formerly.

6 Nevertheless, they did not depart from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, which he made Israel to sin, but walked in them; and the Asherah also remained in Samaria.)

Cross References

• 1. Exodus 32:11; [Psalms 78:34]
• 2. 2 Kings 14:26; Exodus 3:7, 9