Bible Strands
2 Kings 13:4
Then Jehoahaz sought the favor of the LORD, and the LORD listened to him because He saw the oppression that the king of Aram had inflicted on Israel.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records King Jehoahaz of Israel making supplication to Yahweh during a sustained period of military subjugation by the kings of Aram. This petition occurs immediately after Yahweh’s anger resulted in Israel’s continuous defeat under Hazael and his son Ben-hadad.
The words — The Hebrew וַיְחַל (va/y.Chal) literally means “he entreated” or “he made supplication,” and פְּנֵי יְהוָה (pe.Nei Yah.weh) translates to “the face of Yahweh,” denoting divine favor. The paired verb וַיִּשְמַע (va/i.yish.Ma') means “he listened,” indicating Yahweh’s responsive attention to the king’s request.
The thread — This sequence of divine hearing following human supplication under oppression appears in Exodus 3:7, where Yahweh acknowledges the cries of His people in Egypt, and 2 Kings 14:26, where He observes the bitter affliction of Israelites. Psalm 78:34 similarly records that Israel sought God when He brought judgment upon them.
Why it lands — The text states that Yahweh’s intervention is triggered by His observation of suffering and is accessed through the king’s petition. It requires the reader to accept that historical deliverance follows divine responsiveness to supplication rather than human military strategy.
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
And Jehoahaz besought the Lord, and the Lord hearkened unto him: for he saw the oppression of Israel, because the king of Syria oppressed them.
Cross-references
- 2 Kings 14:26 For the LORD saw that the affliction of the Israelites, both slave and free, was very bitter. There was no one to help Israel,
- Exodus 3:7 The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the affliction of My people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their oppressors, and I am aware of their sufferings.
- Psalms 78:34 When He slew them, they would seek Him; they repented and searched for God.
- Jeremiah 33:3 Call to Me, and I will answer and show you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
- Genesis 21:17 Then God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, “What is wrong, Hagar? Do not be afraid, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he lies.
- Exodus 3:9 And now the cry of the Israelites has reached Me, and I have seen how severely the Egyptians are oppressing them.
- Numbers 21:7 Then the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you. Intercede with the LORD so He will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses interceded for the people.
- Judges 10:15 “We have sinned,” the Israelites said to the LORD. “Deal with us as You see fit; but please deliver us today!”
- Psalms 50:15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.”
- Isaiah 63:9 In all their distress, He too was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them. In His love and compassion He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.