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.

2 KINGS 13:1KJV
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2 Kings 13:1 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 13:1 mean?

2 Kings 13:1 states that Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, began to rule over Israel in Samaria during the twenty-third year of Joash, son of Ahaziah, who was king of Judah. Jehoahaz ruled Israel for seventeen years. This verse marks the beginning of Jehoahaz’s reign and sets the timeline in relation to the king of Judah.

The book of 2 Kings is a historical record, and this verse is part of its careful tracking of Israel’s and Judah’s rulers. The writer is giving readers a clear point in time by connecting Jehoahaz’s rise to power in Israel with Joash’s reign in Judah. This helps keep track of the two kingdoms’ overlapping histories and prepares the reader for the events that will follow in Jehoahaz’s reign.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 13:1

  • "Three" (שָׁלוֹשׁ, shalosh) and "twentieth" (עֶשְׂרִים, esrim) combine to form "twenty-three," showing the Hebrew way of counting years, which is precise and helps anchor the timeline.
  • "Reign" (מָלַךְ, malakh) means to rule as king, emphasizing Jehoahaz’s official start as Israel’s leader.
  • "Samaria" (שֹׁמְרוֹן, Shomron) is the capital city of the northern kingdom, highlighting where Jehoahaz’s authority was centered.

Why 2 Kings 13:1 matters

  • This verse helps readers keep track of the complicated timeline between the northern kingdom (Israel) and the southern kingdom (Judah), which often had different kings ruling at the same time.
  • By naming both Jehoahaz and Joash, the verse shows the ongoing split between Israel and Judah and sets up the context for the stories that follow about their kings.
  • The mention of Samaria as the seat of power reminds readers that Israel’s capital was different from Judah’s (Jerusalem), which is important for understanding the political and religious divisions in this period.

Where else these words appear

“Jehoahaz” Hebrew H3059 · used in 19 verses

  • 2 Kings 10:35 And Jehu slept with his fathers: and they buried him in Samaria. And Jehoahaz his son reigned in his stead.
  • 2 Kings 13:22 But Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz.
  • 2 Kings 23:34 And Pharaohnechoh made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in the room of Josiah his father, and turned his name to Jehoiakim, and took Jehoahaz away: and he came to Egypt, and died there.

“Ahaziah” Hebrew H274 · used in 30 verses

  • 1 Kings 22:40 So Ahab slept with his fathers; and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead.
  • 2 Kings 9:16 So Jehu rode in a chariot, and went to Jezreel; for Joram lay there. And Ahaziah king of Judah was come down to see Joram.
  • 1 Chronicles 3:11 Joram his son, Ahaziah his son, Joash his son,

“Joash” Hebrew H3101 · used in 41 verses

  • Judges 6:11 And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.
  • 2 Kings 13:10 In the thirty and seventh year of Joash king of Judah began Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned sixteen years.
  • 2 Chronicles 18:25 Then the king of Israel said, Take ye Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son;

“Jehu” Hebrew H3058 · used in 54 verses

  • 1 Kings 16:1 Then the word of the LORD came to Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha, saying,
  • 2 Kings 9:22 And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many?
  • 2 Kings 10:30 And the LORD said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel.