The Decline of Israel and Death of Elisha

INTRODUCTION: Despite God’s mercy, Israel continues its march toward destruction. The death of Elisha, who must have been over eighty at this time, marks the end of an era as well. For decades, Elijah or Elisha had been a voice for God in the northern kingdom of Israel. Now that they are gone, there are few to proclaim God’s word.

1. THE REIGN OF JEHOAHAZ (2 Kings 13:1-9)
1. The Details of His Reign (2 Kings 13:1)
1. Began in the 23rd year of Joash of Judah
2. Reigned over Israel in Samaria for seventeen years
2. The Character of His Reign (2 Kings 13:2)
1. Did evil in the sight of the Lord
2. Followed the sins of Jeroboam
3. The Judgment of His Reign (2 Kings 13:3)
1. The anger of the Lord against Israel
2. The deliverance of Israel to Syria
4. The Deliverance of Israel (2 Kings 13:4-5)
1. The continued power of prayer (2 Kings 13:4)
1. Jehoahaz besought the Lord and the Lord hearkened to him.
2. The Lord saw the oppression of Israel.
2. The deliverance of the Lord (2 Kings 13:5)
1. The Lord gave Israel a saviour; this man is not identified, but he delivered Israel from their present distress.
2. Israel was delivered from servitude.
5. The Decline of His Reign (2 Kings 13:6-7)
1. The continuation of their sins (2 Kings 13:6)
1. In the sins of Jeroboam
2. Keeping the grove in Samaria
2. The condition of Israels army (2 Kings 13:7)
1. Fifty horsemen, ten chariots, and 10,000 footmen
2. Had been destroyed and made like dust by Syria
6. The End of His Reign (2 Kings 13:8-9)
2. THE REIGN OF JOASH (2 Kings 13:10-13)
1. The Details of His Reign (2 Kings 13:10)
1. Began in the 37th year of Joash of Judah
2. Reigned over Israel in Samaria for sixteen years
2. The Character of His Reign (2 Kings 13:11)
1. Did evil in the sight of the Lord
2. Followed the sins of Jeroboam
3. The Record of His Reign (2 Kings 13:12)
1. The rest of his acts
2. How he fought against Amaziah of Judah
4. The End of His Reign (2 Kings 13:13)
1. He died and was buried in Samaria.
2. Jeroboam reigned in his stead (this is the second Jeroboam).
3. THE PROPHECY OF ELISHA (2 Kings 13:14-19)
1. The visit of Elisha by Joash (2 Kings 13:14)
1. The sickness of Elisha
2. The sorrow of Joash
2. The Instructions of Elisha for Joash (2 Kings 13:15-17)
1. Take bow and arrows (2 Kings 13:15).
2. Put your hand on the bow (2 Kings 13:16).
1. Joash put his hand on the bow.
2. Elisha put his hands on the kings hands.
3. Open the window eastward (2 Kings 13:17).
4. Shoot the arrow (2 Kings 13:17).
1. Joash shot the arrow.
2. Elisha called it the arrow of the Lords deliverance.
3. The Smiting of Syria by Israel (2 Kings 13:18-19)
1. The instructions of Elisha (2 Kings 13:18)
1. Take the arrows.
2. Smite them on the ground.
2. The actions of Joash (2 Kings 13:18) He smote the arrows three times.
3. The anger of Elisha (2 Kings 13:19)
1. He was wroth because Joash should have smitten five or six times.
2. Now Syria will be smitten only three times.
4. THE DEATH OF ELISHA (2 Kings 13:20-25)
1. The Last Miracle of Elisha (2 Kings 13:20-21)
1. The death and burial of Elisha (2 Kings 13:20)
2. The raiding bands of Moabites (2 Kings 13:20)
3. The interrupted funeral (2 Kings 13:21)
1. The Moabites were burying a man.
2. A band of men (probably Israelites) came toward them.
3. The Moabites threw the body in Elishas sepulcher.
4. The resurrection of the dead Moabite (2 Kings 13:21)
1. He touched the bones of Elisha, revived, and stood on his feet.
2. Note: This was the last miracle of Elisha. Elisha had prayed for a double portion of Elijahs spirit (2 Kings 2:9). Many have thought that this might mean that Elisha committed twice as many miracles as Elijah. Perhaps he needed one more to finish the account.
2. Partial Deliverance from the Syrians (2 Kings 13:22-25)
1. The continued oppression of Hazael king of Syria (2 Kings 13:22)
2. The compassion of the Lord on the Israelites (2 Kings 13:23)
1. His actions toward them
1. Grace
2. Compassion
3. Respect
2. The reason for His compassion
1. His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
2. Not yet time to cast them from His presence
3. The continuation of Syrian oppression (2 Kings 13:24-25)
4. The victories of Joash against Syria (2 Kings 13:25)
1. Three victories over Benhadad
2. Recovery of the cities of Israel

CONCLUSION: Elisha is dead and his voice is silenced. The northern kingdom of Israel continues to walk in their own way, but the Lord is gracious because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.