Jehoahaz son of Jehu became king over Israel in Samaria. This was during the 23 year that Joash son of Ahaziah was king in Judah. Jehoahaz ruled 17 years.
Jehoahaz did what the Lord said was wrong. He followed the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat who caused Israel to sin. Jehoahaz did not stop doing those things.
Then Jehoahaz begged the Lord to help them, and the Lord listened to him. The Lord had seen the troubles of Israel and how the king of Aram troubled the Israelites.
But the Israelites still did not stop committing the sins of the family of Jeroboam that caused Israel to sin. The Israelites continued committing the sins of Jeroboam. They also kept the Asherah poles in Samaria.
The king of Aram defeated Jehoahaz's army and destroyed most of the men in the army. He left only 50 horse soldiers, 10 chariots, and 10,000 foot soldiers. Jehoahaz's soldiers were like chaff blown away by the wind at the time of threshing.
Jehoash son of Jehoahaz became king over Israel in Samaria. This was during the 37 year that Joash was king of Judah. Jehoash ruled Israel for 16 years.
He did what the Lord said was wrong. He did not stop committing the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat who caused Israel to sin. Jehoash continued to commit those sins.
Jehoash died and was buried with his ancestors. Jeroboam became the new king and sat on Jehoash's throne. Jehoash was buried at Samaria with the kings of Israel.
Elisha became sick, and later he died from this sickness. King Jehoash of Israel went to visit Elisha. Jehoash cried for him and said, "My father, my father! Is it time for the chariot of Israel and its horses? "
Elisha said, "Open the east window." Jehoash opened the window. Then Elisha said, "Shoot." Jehoash shot. Then Elisha said, "This is the Lord's arrow of victory over Aram! You will defeat the Arameans at Aphek until you destroy them."
Elisha said, "Take the arrows." Jehoash took the arrows. Then Elisha said to him, "Hit on the ground." Jehoash hit the ground three times. Then he stopped.
The man of God was angry with Jehoash. Elisha said, "You should have hit five or six times! Then you would have defeated Aram until you destroyed it! But now, you will defeat Aram only three times."
Some Israelites were burying a dead man when they saw that group of soldiers. The Israelites quickly threw the dead man into Elisha's grave. As soon as the dead man touched the bones of Elisha, he came back to life and stood up on his feet.
But the Lord was kind to the Israelites. The Lord had mercy and turned to the Israelites, because of his agreement with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Lord would not destroy the Israelites or throw them away yet.
Before he died, Hazael had taken some cities in war from Jehoahaz, Jehoash's father. But now Jehoash took back these cities from Hazael's son Ben-Hadad. Jehoash defeated Ben-Hadad three times and took back the cities of Israel.