2 Kings 13:10-13·~1 min

Jehoash Reigns in Israel

Jehoash begins his reign in Samaria and rules sixteen years. Like the kings before him, he does evil and remains in the sins Jeroboam set in motion.

I¹⁰n the thirty-seventh year of the reign of Joash over Judah, Jehoash son of Jehoahaz became king of Israel in Samaria, and he reigned sixteen years. ¹¹And he did evil in the sight of the LORD and did not turn away from all the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit, but he walked in them.

The account briefly notes Jehoash’s accomplishments and his war with Amaziah, then records his death, burial, and Jeroboam’s succession.

¹²As for the rest of the acts of Jehoash, along with all his accomplishments and his might, including his war against Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? ¹³And Jehoash rested with his fathers, and Jeroboam succeeded him on the throne. Jehoash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel.

Section summaryJehoash succeeds Jehoahaz and receives the same verdict as his father: he continues in Jeroboam’s sins without turning aside. The account stays brief, noting his acts, his conflict with Amaziah of Judah, and the transfer of the throne to Jeroboam.

Role in the chapterThis short section moves the royal line forward while stressing continuity rather than change. It keeps the northern kingdom’s pattern intact just before Elisha’s final appearance gives the chapter its decisive turn.