Bible Strands
2 Kings 13:1
In the twenty-third year of the reign of Joash son of Ahaziah over Judah, Jehoahaz son of Jehu became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria seventeen years.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrative records the accession of Jehoahaz over Israel during the twenty-third year of Joash’s reign in Judah. This chronological marker situates the northern kingdom’s leadership transition within the broader timeline of Judah’s monarchy.
The words — בִּ/שְׁנַ֨ת (bi/sh.Nat) and שָנָ֔ה (sha.Nah) both denote “year,” anchoring the regnal chronology. עֶשְׂרִ֤ים (es.Rim) and וְ/שָׁלֹשׁ֙ (ve./sha.Losh) combine as “twenty-three,” specifying the exact regnal year of Joash.
The thread — The chronology connects to 2 Kings 8:26, which dates Joash’s reign by his father Ahaziah’s accession, and to 2 Kings 10:35, which records Jehu’s death and Jehoahaz’s succession. These references establish a continuous dynastic timeline across both kingdoms.
Why it lands — The text demands precise historical tracking of royal successions to understand the political and spiritual climate preceding Israel’s decline. It requires the reader to recognize that covenant faithfulness or failure unfolds within concrete historical moments.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
In the three and twentieth year of Joash the son of Ahaziah king of Judah Jehoahaz the son of Jehu began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned seventeen years.
Cross-references
- 2 Kings 8:26 Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem one year. His mother’s name was Athaliah, the granddaughter of Omri king of Israel.
- 2 Kings 10:35 And Jehu rested with his fathers and was buried in Samaria, and his son Jehoahaz reigned in his place.
- 2 Kings 11:4 Then in the seventh year, Jehoiada sent for the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, and the guards, and had them brought into the house of the LORD. There he made a covenant with them and put them under oath. He showed them the king’s son
- 2 Kings 11:21 Joash was seven years old when he became king.