Background:
Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, was the eleventh king of the northern kingdom of Israel. His reign is recorded in the biblical narrative found in 2 Kings 13:1-9. Jehoahaz ascended to the throne during a tumultuous period marked by idolatry and political instability. His reign lasted for seventeen years, during which he continued the sinful practices of his predecessors, leading Israel further away from the covenantal relationship with Yahweh.

Idolatry and Sin:
Jehoahaz is noted for perpetuating the sins of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, who had led Israel into idolatry by establishing golden calves at Bethel and Dan (1 Kings 12:28-30). The biblical account in 2 Kings 13:2 states, "He did evil in the sight of the LORD and followed the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit, and he did not turn away from them." This persistent idolatry provoked the anger of the LORD, as the people of Israel continued to forsake the worship of the one true God.

Divine Judgment:
As a consequence of Jehoahaz's unfaithfulness, the LORD allowed the kingdom of Israel to fall under the oppression of Hazael, king of Aram, and his son Ben-hadad. The biblical text in 2 Kings 13:3 records, "So the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He delivered them into the hands of Hazael king of Aram and into the hand of Ben-hadad son of Hazael continually." This period of subjugation served as a divine chastisement intended to lead Israel to repentance.

Supplication and Partial Deliverance:
In the face of relentless oppression, Jehoahaz sought the favor of the LORD. 2 Kings 13:4-5 recounts, "Then Jehoahaz sought the favor of the LORD, and the LORD listened to him, for He saw the oppression of Israel, how the king of Aram oppressed them. So the LORD gave Israel a deliverer, and they escaped from the hand of the Arameans. Then the Israelites dwelt in their own homes as they had before." This deliverance, however, was partial and temporary, as the people did not fully turn away from their idolatrous practices.

Continued Idolatry and Decline:
Despite the LORD's intervention, the people of Israel, under Jehoahaz's leadership, persisted in their idolatry. The high places, Asherah poles, and other symbols of pagan worship remained intact. 2 Kings 13:6 notes, "Nevertheless, they did not turn away from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, which he had caused Israel to commit, but they continued in them. The Asherah pole even remained standing in Samaria."

Military Weakness:
The judgment on Jehoahaz also manifested in the significant weakening of Israel's military capabilities. The once formidable army was reduced to a mere fraction of its former strength. 2 Kings 13:7 describes, "Nothing was left of the army of Jehoahaz except fifty horsemen, ten chariots, and ten thousand foot soldiers, for the king of Aram had destroyed them and made them like the dust at threshing."

Death and Legacy:
Jehoahaz's reign concluded with his death, and he was succeeded by his son Jehoash (Joash). The biblical narrative in 2 Kings 13:8-9 summarizes his reign: "As for the rest of the acts of Jehoahaz, all that he did and his might, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? And Jehoahaz rested with his fathers and was buried in Samaria. And his son Joash reigned in his place."

Jehoahaz's reign serves as a somber reminder of the consequences of idolatry and disobedience to God's commandments. Despite moments of divine mercy, the persistent sinfulness of Israel under his leadership led to continued suffering and decline.