2 Kings 13 13

2 Kings 13:13 kjv

And Joash slept with his fathers; and Jeroboam sat upon his throne: and Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel.

2 Kings 13:13 nkjv

So Joash rested with his fathers. Then Jeroboam sat on his throne. And Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel.

2 Kings 13:13 niv

Jehoash rested with his ancestors, and Jeroboam succeeded him on the throne. Jehoash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel.

2 Kings 13:13 esv

So Joash slept with his fathers, and Jeroboam sat on his throne. And Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel.

2 Kings 13:13 nlt

When Jehoash died, he was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel. Then his son Jeroboam II became the next king.

2 Kings 13 verses

2 Kings 13 13 Meaning

This verse marks the peaceful passing of King Joash of Israel and the immediate succession of his son Jeroboam II to the throne. It also records Joash's burial in Samaria, indicating his proper placement within the royal line of the northern kingdom. It is a formulaic summary common in the Book of Kings, denoting the conclusion of one king's reign and the commencement of another's.

2 Kings 13 13 Context

Chapter 13 of 2 Kings focuses primarily on the reign of King Joash (also called Jehoash) of Israel, a successor in the idolatrous line of Jeroboam, son of Nebat. Despite the nation's spiritual failings, Joash's reign sees a significant, albeit limited, victory over the Arameans, following Elisha's deathbed prophecy and symbolic actions. This victory represents a temporary resurgence for Israel, fulfilling God's promise not to destroy them utterly due to His covenant. Verse 13 concisely concludes Joash's reign, shifts the narrative to his demise, and introduces the succeeding king, Jeroboam II. This immediate context follows a general pattern in the Deuteronomistic History where each king's reign is summarized by their age, length of rule, relation to the prior king, spiritual evaluation (always negative for the Northern Kingdom), their death, and the succession. This formulaic summary, therefore, provides a pivotal transition point in the historical narrative of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.

2 Kings 13 13 Word analysis

• Then Joash: Joash (יְהוֹאָשׁ, Yeho'ash) or Jehoash, King of Israel. He reigned for 16 years. His reign saw some national resurgence through God's grace, despite his continuance in the sins of Jeroboam, son of Nebat (2 Kgs 13:10-11).
• slept: The Hebrew word is שָׁכַב (shakhav), literally meaning "to lie down." In this context, it is a common biblical euphemism for death, particularly for the passing of kings and patriarchs (e.g., Gen 47:30, 1 Kgs 2:10). It suggests a peaceful, natural death, as opposed to violent or unexpected demise, and conveys the idea of a final resting.
• with his fathers: אֲבֹתָיו (avotayv), meaning "his ancestors" or "his predecessors." This phrase, often coupled with "slept," signifies that the king died and was gathered to the common fate of his lineage. It implies an orderly end to his life, taking his place among the departed ancestors. It also confirms his legitimate place in the succession.
• and Jeroboam: Jeroboam II, son of Joash (יָרָבְעָם, Yarav'am). He would reign for 41 years (2 Kgs 14:23), during a period of significant economic and territorial expansion for Israel but also pronounced spiritual decay, as condemned by the prophets Amos and Hosea. He is the second Jeroboam, and like the first (Jeroboam, son of Nebat), he led Israel in idolatry.
• sat on his throne: יָשַׁב עַל כִּסְאֹו (yashav al kisse'o), literally "sat upon his throne." This phrase clearly indicates the act of royal succession and enthronement, signifying the immediate transfer of royal authority and power. It points to dynastic continuity.
• And Joash was buried: קָבַר (qavar) means "to bury." Burial was an essential part of ancient Israelite funerary customs, signifying honor and a proper end to one's life. The specific mention of burial place reinforces the formality and legitimacy of his reign's conclusion.
• in Samaria: שֹׁמְרוֹן (Shomron), the capital city of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Burial in the capital with other kings served to establish legitimacy, lineage, and connection to the royal city.
• with the kings of Israel: This emphasizes his rightful place in the line of succession for the Northern Kingdom, validating his reign and ensuring continuity. It further indicates a normal, dignified burial appropriate for a monarch.

Words-group analysis:

• "Then Joash slept with his fathers, and Jeroboam sat on his throne": This powerful juxtaposition immediately shows the brevity and transience of human rule. One king's reign ends with his death ("slept with his fathers"), and another's begins seamlessly ("sat on his throne"). It highlights God's sovereignty in orchestrating these transitions, implicitly underscoring that earthly power ultimately resides in His hand, not the king's. The smooth transition implies an unchallenged succession.
• "slept with his fathers... buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel": This common formula serves a literary and theological purpose. It provides a consistent framework for measuring the kings against their predecessors and covenant faithfulness. For Israelite kings, the mention of Samaria distinguishes them from the Judahite kings buried in Jerusalem. It underscores the establishment and legitimacy of the Israelite monarchy within their specific geographical and political context, even as it was riddled with idolatry from its inception under Jeroboam I.

2 Kings 13 13 Bonus section

• Literary Device: This verse employs a formulaic literary style, characteristic of the Deuteronomistic History found throughout Kings. These standard expressions (death, burial, succession) create a consistent rhythm in the narrative, allowing the author to move quickly through the reigns and highlight only the significant details pertaining to each king's adherence to or deviation from the covenant with God.
• Implicit Polemic: While not an overt polemic in this specific verse, the overall Deuteronomistic historical framework implicitly contrasts the short-lived, unstable, and unrighteous dynasties of Israel (due to their idolatry and unfaithfulness) with the divinely appointed, though often flawed, continuous Davidic dynasty in Judah (which persisted until the exile). The regularity of death and succession highlights the temporary nature of human power when unaligned with divine will.
• Succession Context: The immediate succession by the son of the king (Jeroboam II following Joash) suggests dynastic stability, which was often a struggle in the Northern Kingdom due to its cycle of rebellion, coups, and instability in contrast to the continuous Davidic line in Judah. This particular transition, though, was stable.

2 Kings 13 13 Commentary

2 Kings 13:13 serves as a succinct concluding statement for Joash's reign and an inaugural announcement for Jeroboam II's, upholding the structural rhythm characteristic of the Book of Kings. The standard formula "slept with his fathers" marks Joash's natural death, while "sat on his throne" details the smooth, unchallenged transition of power to his son. The reference to Joash's burial "in Samaria with the kings of Israel" validates his royal status and marks his final resting place among his fellow Northern Kingdom monarchs. Theologically, this verse, while brief, implicitly points to the continuous unfolding of God's sovereign plan. Despite the consistent apostasy of the Northern Kingdom, God permitted a line of succession to continue, showcasing His patience and allowing a temporary reprieve from Aramean oppression during Joash's time and a period of prosperity during Jeroboam II's reign before final judgment. However, it also signifies that the cycle of sin, leadership transition, and God's eventual judgment was inexorably moving forward in Israel's history. This verse stands as a factual summary, yet within the larger narrative, it silently points to the continuing rebellion that will lead to the Northern Kingdom's downfall.