View 2nd Kings 13 in the note window.
The reign of Jehoahaz, ver. 1 - 9.
A general account of the reign of Joash, ver. 10 - 13.
Elisha falls sick, encourages Joash and dies, ver. 14 - 19.
A dead body is raised by touching his bones, ver. 20 - 21.
Hazael oppresses Israel, and dies, ver. 22 - 24.
Joash beats the Syrians, ver. 25.
6: The grove - Which Ahab had planted for the worship of
Baal, and which should have been destroyed, (De 7:5).
7: He - The king of Syria. People - Of his army, or men of war.
8: His might - For though his success was not good, he shewed much
personal valour. Which is noted to intimate, that the Israelites were
not conquered, because of the cowardice of their king, but merely from
the righteous judgment of God, who was now resolved to reckon with them
for their apostacy.
14: Fallen sick, &c. - He lived long: for it was sixty years since
he was first called to be a prophet. It was a great mercy to Israel
and especially to the sons of the prophets, that he was continued so long,
a burning and a shining light. Elijah finished his testimony, in a
fourth part of that time. God's prophets have their day set them, longer
or shorter, as infinite wisdom sees fit. But all the latter part of his
time, from the anointing of Jehu, which was forty five years before
Joash began his reign, we find no mention of him, or of any thing he
did, 'till we find him here upon his death bed. Yet he might be useful
to the last, tho' not so famous as he had sometimes been.
17: Eastward - Toward Syria, which lay north - eastward, from the
land of Israel: this arrow is shot against the Syrians, as a token
what God intended to do against them.
18: Smite - The former sign portended victory, this was to declare
the number of the victories.
20: Moabites invaded - The mentioning this immediately on the death
of Elisha intimates, that the removal of God's faithful prophets, is a
presage of judgments approaching.
21: He revived - Which miracle God wrought, to do honour to that
great prophet, and that by this seal he might confirm his doctrine, to
strengthen the faith of Joash, and of the Israelites, in this
promise of their success against the Syrians; and in the midst of
all their calamities to comfort such Israelites as were Elisha's
followers, with the hopes of eternal life, whereof this was a manifest
pledge, and to awaken the rest of that people to a due care and preparation
for it.
23: Had compassion - The slowness of God's process against sinners
even when they remain impenitent must be construed to the advantage of
his mercy, not the impeachment of his justice.
