2 Kings 13:3-7
13:3 The
Lord was furious with
Israel and handed them over to
King Hazael of Syria and to Hazael’s son Ben Hadad for many years.
13:4 Jehoahaz asked for the Lord’s mercy and the Lord responded favorably, for he saw that Israel was oppressed by the king of Syria.
13:5 The Lord provided a deliverer for Israel and they were freed from Syria’s power. The Israelites once more lived in security.
13:6 But they did not repudiate the sinful ways of the family of Jeroboam, who encouraged Israel to sin; they continued in those sins. There was even an Asherah pole standing in Samaria.
13:7 Jehoahaz had no army left except for fifty horsemen, ten chariots, and 10,000 foot soldiers. The king of Syria had destroyed his troops and trampled on them like dust.