2 Kings 13:10-21
2 Kings 13:10-21 NCV
Jehoash son of Jehoahaz became king of Israel in Samaria during Joash’s thirty-seventh year as king of Judah. Jehoash ruled sixteen years, and he did what the LORD said was wrong. He did not stop doing the same sins Jeroboam son of Nebat had done. Jeroboam had led Israel to sin, and Jehoash continued to do the same thing. Everything else he did and all his victories, including his war against Amaziah king of Judah, are written in the book of the history of the kings of Israel. Jehoash died, and Jeroboam took his place on the throne. Jehoash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel. At this time Elisha became sick. Before he died, Jehoash king of Israel went to Elisha and cried for him. Jehoash said, “My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and their horsemen!” Elisha said to Jehoash, “Take a bow and arrows.” So he took a bow and arrows. Then Elisha said to him, “Put your hand on the bow.” So Jehoash put his hand on the bow. Then Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands. Elisha said, “Open the east window.” So Jehoash opened the window. Then Elisha said, “Shoot,” and Jehoash shot. Elisha said, “The LORD’s arrow of victory over Aram! You will defeat the Arameans at Aphek until you destroy them.” Elisha said, “Take the arrows.” So Jehoash took them. Then Elisha said to him, “Strike the ground.” So Jehoash struck the ground three times and stopped. The man of God was angry with him. “You should have struck five or six times!” Elisha said. “Then you would have struck Aram until you had completely destroyed it. But now you will defeat it only three times.” Then Elisha died and was buried. At that time groups of Moabites would rob the land in the springtime. Once as some Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a group of Moabites coming. The Israelites threw the dead man into Elisha’s grave. When the man touched Elisha’s bones, the man came back to life and stood on his feet.