Melachim II Perek 13

Melachim II Perek 13-
Sefer Melachim II is taught by Adele Chabot, Judaic Studies teacher at Barkai Yeshiva; Author of “The Best Secret Revealed”.

A summary by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:

Yehoahaz, son of Yehu, had become king of Israel and he was one of the bad kings, perpetuating the evil of his predecessors. The people were led into idolatry and G-d became angry with them, so He allowed Aram to invade and oppress them. Yehoahaz pleaded to G-d, so G-d provided relief and they dwelled securely again. Nevertheless, the golden calves of Yaravam and the Ashera trees remained in place. The army of Israel was all but destroyed by Aram. Yehoahaz reigned 17 years and was succeeded by his son Yehoash (not the same as the king of Judah by the same name). Yehoash the son of Yehoahaz was an evil king, who sinned and led his nation to sin. The prophet Elisha became sick with what would be his final illness. Even though he was a wicked king, Yehoash of Israel went to visit him. Yehoash mourned the loss of Elisha’s merits from the nation. Elisha had Yehoash take a bow and shoot an arrow in the direction of Aram. He then prophesized that Israel would beat Aram into submission. (A prophecy accompanied by a physical act is irrevocable.) Elisha then told Yehoash to shoot the remaining arrows into the ground. Yehoash shot three, then stopped. Elisha became angry. “Had you emptied the quiver, you would have totally destroyed Aram! Now you will only strike them three times!” Elisha died and was buried.

Later, some people were burying a body when soldiers from Moab started approaching. They quickly threw the body into Elisha’s tomb and ran away. When the body touched Elisha’s bones, the corpse woke up and walked out of the tomb.

Hazael, king of Aram, oppressed Israel throughout the reign of Yehoahaz, but G-d did not permit the Jewish nation to be destroyed. Hazael died and was succeeded by his son, Ben-Hadad. Yehoash, son of Yehoahaz, struck Aram three times, as Elisha had said, and retrieved the cities that Hazael had captured from Israel.

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