(REFLECTIONS ON 2 Kings 13:1-25)

As we continue our journey through the Book of Kings, it is easy to become confused about who is king of Israel and who is king of Judah. Many of the kings have similar names, and in today’s Scripture, there are even two kings named Joash, one in Israel and one in Judah, separated by only a generation.

Rather than becoming distracted by the names, let us focus on Elisha’s final interaction with the king of the northern kingdom of Israel before the prophet passed away. Let us read God’s Word once again,

14 When Elisha became sick with the illness of which he was to die, Joash the king of Israel came down to him and wept over him and said, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” 15 Elisha said to him, “Take a bow and arrows.” So he took a bow and arrows.16 Then he said to the king of Israel, “Put your hand on the bow.” And he put his hand on it, then Elisha laid his hands on the king’s hands. 17 He said, “Open the window toward the east,” and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot!” And he shot. And he said, “The Lord’s arrow of victory, even the arrow of victory over Aram; for you will defeat the Arameans at Aphek until you have destroyed them.” 18 Then he said, “Take the arrows,” and he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground,” and he struck it three times and stopped. 19 So the man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck five or six times, then you would have struck Aram until you would have destroyed it. But now you shall strike Aram only three times.”

When Elisha became sick, Joash, the king of Israel, came to him because of the oppression that Israel was suffering under Aram. Elisha instructed Joash to shoot an arrow toward the east, symbolizing the Lord’s promise of victory over the Arameans.

Elisha then told Joash to take the arrows and strike the ground. This symbolic act represented the extent of Israel’s victory over Aram. Yet Joash struck the ground only three times before stopping. Elisha became angry and told him that because he had stopped, Israel would defeat Aram only three times. Had he struck the ground five or six times, Aram would have been completely destroyed.

Joash’s actions revealed a lack of wholehearted faith, expectation, and dependence on the Lord. This passage also challenges us in our own walk with God. Do we approach Him with wholehearted faith, or do we merely do the minimum? Are we fervent and steadfast in our prayers, worship, and obedience, or do we give up too soon?

Paul reminds us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to “pray without ceasing.” While Elisha’s command to strike the ground was not specifically about prayer, it illustrates the kind of wholehearted faith and perseverance that should characterize our relationship with God. We are called to seek Him continually, to worship Him wholeheartedly, and to remain steadfast in faith without growing weary.

In the end, the outcome of all things rests in the hands of our sovereign Lord. Yet we are called to respond with unwavering faith, persistent prayer, and wholehearted obedience. May no one ever be able to accuse us of believing in Christ with only our lips while withholding our hearts. Instead, may our lives testify to the greatness of our Lord Jesus Christ through fervent faith, steadfast worship, and a life fully surrendered to Him.

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: 2 Kings 13