called king in 2Ki 13:3.
Verse 6
2Ki 13:6 “Only they departed not,” etc., is inserted as a parenthesis and must be expressed thus: “although they departed not from the sin of Jeroboam.”
Verse 7
2Ki 13:7 “For (כּי) he had not left,” etc., furnishes the ground for 2Ki 13:5 : God gave them a saviour, ... although they did not desist from the sin of Jeroboam, ... for Israel had been brought to the last extremity; He (Jehovah) had left to Jehoahaz people (עם, people of war), only fifty horsemen, etc. For החטי instead of החטיא (2Ki 13:6), see at 1Ki 21:21. The suffix בּהּ in 2Ki 13:6 refers to הטּאת, just as that in ממּנּה in 2Ki 13:2 (see at 2Ki 3:3). “And even the Asherah was (still) standing at Samaria,” probably from the time of Ahab downwards (1Ki 16:33), since Jehu is not said to have destroyed it (2Ki 10:26.). וגו וישׂמם “and had made them like dust for trampling upon,” - an expression denoting utter destruction.
Verses 8-9
Close of the reign of Jehoahaz. Jehoahaz had probably shown his might in the war with the Syrians, although he had been overcome.
Verses 10-13
Reign of Jehoash or Joash of Israel. - On the commencement of his reign see at 2Ki 13:1. He also walked in the sins of Jeroboam (compare 2Ki 13:11 with 2Ki 13:2 and 2Ki 13:6). The war with Amaziah referred to in 2Ki 13:12 is related in the history of this king in 2Ki 14:8-14; and the close of the reign of Joash is also recorded there (2Ki 14:15 and 2Ki 14:16) with the standing formula. And even here it ought not to be introduced till the end of the chapter, instead of in 2Ki 13:12 and 2Ki 13:13, inasmuch as the verses which follow relate several things belonging to the reign of Joash. But as they are connected with the termination of Elisha’s life, it was quite admissible to wind up the reign of Joash with 2Ki 13:13.
Verse 14
Illness and Death of the Prophet Elisha. - 2Ki 13:14. When Elisha was taken ill with the sickness of which he was to die, king Joash visited him and wept over his face, i.e., bending over the sick man as he lay, and exclaimed, “My father, my father! the chariot of Israel and horsemen thereof!” just as Elisha had mourned over the departure of Elijah (2Ki 2:12). This lamentation of the king at the approaching death of the prophet shows that Joash knew how to value his labours. And on account of this faith which was manifested in his recognition of the prophet’s worth, the Lord gave the king another gracious assurance through the dying Elisha, which was confirmed
