2 Kings 13:13
So Joash slept with his fathers, and Jeroboam sat on his throne. And Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The text highlights that Joash, a king of Israel, was buried with the kings of Israel in Samaria, not with the kings of Judah in Jerusalem. This detail subtly underscores the ongoing division of the kingdom and the separate, often spiritual, trajectories of the northern kingdom of Israel compared to the southern kingdom of Judah. It reminds us that even within the same lineage, actions and allegiances had lasting consequences on where and how one was remembered.
This verse marks the end of King Joash's reign in Israel, a period that saw him humble himself before the prophet Elisha and experience military victory. His death transitions the narrative to his successor, Jeroboam II, who will go on to be one of Israel's most prosperous kings, though his reign is also marked by spiritual decline. The mention of burial in Samaria anchors his story to the capital city of the Northern Kingdom.
Every leader eventually passes from the scene. What does Scripture want us to see in this simple statement about a king's death and succession?
The verse highlights the natural end of King Joash's reign and the seamless transition of power to Jeroboam. This isn't just a historical note; it emphasizes that earthly kingdoms and their rulers are temporary. God's sovereign plan, however, continues beyond any single human reign. The succession itself points to the ongoing narrative of Israel's history under God's watchful eye, even amidst its failures.
Where a king was buried often carried great significance. What does Joash's burial place reveal about his reign and the state of Israel?
Joash was buried 'with the kings of Israel' in Samaria. This was the capital of the northern kingdom, Israel. While this indicates he was recognized as a legitimate king, it also places him firmly within the history of the divided monarchy, a period marked by spiritual compromise and idolatry. His burial among these kings, rather than in Jerusalem (the city of David and the place of God's temple), subtly underscores his connection to the often-wayward northern kingdom and its trajectory.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about 2 Kings 13:13 is available in the Sola app.
Understand the original words
shâkab · Hebrew Verb
A common biblical euphemism for death, often implying a state of rest after a life spent, and suggesting that the individual has joined their ancestors in Sheol or the place of the departed.
This verse marks the end of King Joash's reign and the transition to his son Jeroboam II. It places Joash's burial within the context of Israel's ongoing struggles and eventual resurgence under the Omri and Jehu dynasties.
c. 841 BC
Jehu's Violent Revolution
Jehu, commissioned by God, violently overthrew the Omri dynasty, including King Ahab and Jezebel, to purify Israel from Baal worship. This set the stage for subsequent dynasties.
c. 835-798 BC
Reign of King Jehoahaz of Israel
Jehoahaz, son of Jehu, reigned during a period of intense oppression by Hazael, king of Aram-Damascus, who severely weakened Israel.
c. 800 BC— this verse
Reign of King Joash of Israel
Joash, son of Jehoahaz, succeeded his father. Though Israel remained under Syrian pressure, Joash saw some military successes, particularly against Judah.
c. 798-759 BC
Reign of King Jeroboam II of Israel
Jeroboam II, son of Joash, is the next king mentioned. His long reign was a period of significant military and economic prosperity for Israel, marked by territorial expansion.
c. 797-767 BC
Reign of King Amaziah of Judah
Amaziah of Judah also had a conflict with Joash of Israel, which illustrates the complex and often hostile relationship between the two kingdoms.
This passage describes the same burial but also highlights the immediate consequences of Joash's reign and his eventual fate, showing how even kings are subject to divine judgment.
2 Kings 14:23-29This passage details Jeroboam II's long and prosperous reign, offering a stark contrast to the mixed legacy of his father Joash and illustrating God's continued, though often complex, dealings with Israel.
1 Kings 11:26This verse introduces Jeroboam I, the first king of the divided Northern Kingdom, setting the stage for the lineage and the historical context of the kings mentioned in 2 Kings 13, emphasizing the ongoing division of the kingdom.
Ecclesiastes 2:14-16This wisdom passage reflects on the ultimate futility of human endeavors, including kingship, as both the wise and the foolish share the same fate, underscoring the vanity of earthly power and legacy.
The text highlights that Joash, a king of Israel, was buried with the kings of Israel in Samaria, not with the kings of Judah in Jerusalem. This detail subtly underscores the ongoing division of the kingdom and the separate, often spiritual, trajectories of the northern kingdom of Israel compared to the southern kingdom of Judah. It reminds us that even within the same lineage, actions and allegiances had lasting consequences on where and how one was remembered.
This verse marks the end of King Joash's reign in Israel, a period that saw him humble himself before the prophet Elisha and experience military victory. His death transitions the narrative to his successor, Jeroboam II, who will go on to be one of Israel's most prosperous kings, though his reign is also marked by spiritual decline. The mention of burial in Samaria anchors his story to the capital city of the Northern Kingdom.
This verse marks the end of King Joash's reign in Israel, a period that saw him humble himself before the prophet Elisha and experience military victory. His death transitions the narrative to his successor, Jeroboam II, who will go on to be one of Israel's most prosperous kings, though his reign is also marked by spiritual decline. The mention of burial in Samaria anchors his story to the capital city of the Northern Kingdom.
"So Joash slept with his fathers, and Jeroboam sat on his throne. And Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel." — The text highlights that Joash, a king of Israel, was buried with the kings of Israel in Samaria, not with the kings of Judah in Jerusalem. This detail subtly underscores the ongoing division of the…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
