1 Jeoacaz, o filho de Jeú, começou um reinado sobre Israel, que duraria 17 anos, durante o vigésimo terceiro ano do reinado de Joás, rei de Judá. 2 Foi um rei que fez o que era mau aos olhos do Senhor, e seguiu os maus caminhos de Jeroboão, filho de Nebate, que levara Israel a pecar. 3 Dessa forma, a ira do Senhor acendeu-se contra Israel e permitiu que Hazael, rei de Aram, assim como o seu filho Ben-Hadade, conquistassem terras.

4 Jeoacaz pediu ao Senhor que o ajudasse e o Senhor ouviu-o, porque o rei de Aram estava a oprimir fortemente a Israel. 5 Por isso, o Senhor suscitou um salvador para libertar a nação da tirania dos arameus. Até que finalmente o povo pôde viver novamente em segurança, como antigamente. 6 No entanto, continuaram a pecar e a seguir os maus caminhos de Jeroboão, adorando a deusa Achera em Samaria.

7 Jeoacaz acabou por ficar reduzido a uma força militar composta apenas por 50 tropas montadas, 10 carros de combate e 10 000 soldados de infantaria. É que o rei de Aram tinha destruído o exército, reduzindo-o a nada.

8 O resto da história de Jeoacaz está escrito no Livro das Crónicas dos Reis de Israel. 9 Jeoacaz faleceu e foi sepultado em Samaria. Sucedeu-lhe no trono o seu filho Jeoás.

10 O seu filho Jeoás reinou em Samaria durante 16 anos. Subiu ao trono no trigésimo sétimo ano do reinado de Joás, rei de Judá. Contudo, foi também um mau rei. 11 Fez o que era mau aos olhos do Senhor, e seguiu os maus caminhos de Jeroboão que levara Israel a pecar.

12 O resto da história do reinado de Jeoás, incluindo as guerras que travou contra o rei Amazias de Judá, está escrito no Livro das Crónicas dos Reis de Israel. 13 Jeoás morreu e foi enterrado em Samaria com os outros reis de Israel. Jeroboão II tornou-se o novo rei.

14 Quando Eliseu adoeceu, com a enfermidade de que morreu, o rei Jeoás veio visitá-lo e chorou na sua presença: "Meu pai! Meu pai! Carro de Israel e seus condutores!", lamentava-se.

15 "Pega num arco e em flechas", disse-lhe Eliseu. 16,17 "Agora abre a janela do lado do oriente e prepara-te para atirar." O outro ia obedecendo. Eliseu pôs as mãos sobre as do rei. "Atira!", mandou Eliseu. E ele disparou a flecha. "Essa é a flecha do Senhor que representa a plena vitória sobre Aram, porque vencerás completamente os arameus em Afeque."

18 "Agora", continou o profeta, "pega nas outras setas e bate com elas no chão." O rei pegou nelas e bateu com elas três vezes no chão. 19 Eliseu ficou zangado: "Devias ter batido no chão cinco ou seis vezes", disse-lhe. "Poderias vir a derrotar os arameus até ficarem completamente destruídos; sendo assim, serás vitorioso apenas três vezes."

20 Eliseu faleceu e foi sepultado.

Nesses dias, bandos de moabitas invadiam a terra na primavera. 21 Uma vez, uns quantos homens que estavam a fazer o enterro de um amigo depararam-se com um desses bandos de marginais e lançaram apressadamente o corpo para dentro do túmulo de Eliseu. Logo que tocou nos ossos de Eliseu, o morto reviveu e pôs-se em pé!

22 O rei Hazael tinha oprimido a Israel durante todo o reinado de Jeoacaz. 23 Mas o Senhor teve compaixão do povo israelita e, por isso, este não foi completamente destruído. Deus não só teve misericórdia deles, como foi fiel à aliança que fez com Abraão, Isaque e Jacob. Essa é a razão por que ainda se mantêm vivos.

24 Hazael, o rei de Aram, morreu. O seu filho Ben-Hadade reinou em seu lugar. 25 O rei Jeoás de Israel, filho de Jeoacaz, saiu vitorioso sobre ele em três ocasiões, reconquistando as cidades que o seu pai perdera a favor de Ben-Hadade.

1 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.*13.1 three…: Heb. twentieth year and third year 2 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom.*13.2 followed: Heb. walked after

3 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he delivered them into the hand of Hazael king of Syria, and into the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael, all their days. 4 And Jehoahaz besought the LORD, and the LORD hearkened unto him: for he saw the oppression of Israel, because the king of Syria oppressed them. 5 (And the LORD gave Israel a saviour, so that they went out from under the hand of the Syrians: and the children of Israel dwelt in their tents, as beforetime.*13.5 as beforetime: Heb. as yesterday, and third day 6 Nevertheless they departed not from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, who made Israel sin, but walked therein: and there remained the grove also in Samaria.)*13.6 walked: Heb. he walked*13.6 remained: Heb. stood 7 Neither did he leave of the people to Jehoahaz but fifty horsemen, and ten chariots, and ten thousand footmen; for the king of Syria had destroyed them, and had made them like the dust by threshing.

8 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoahaz, and all that he did, and his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? 9 And Jehoahaz slept with his fathers; and they buried him in Samaria: and Joash his son reigned in his stead.*13.9 Joash: also called, Jehoash

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. 11 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD; he departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel sin: but he walked therein. 12 And the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, and his might wherewith he fought against Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? 13 And Joash slept with his fathers; and Jeroboam sat upon his throne: and Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel.

14 Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. 15 And Elisha said unto him, Take bow and arrows. And he took unto him bow and arrows. 16 And he said to the king of Israel, Put thine hand upon the bow. And he put his hand upon it: and Elisha put his hands upon the king’s hands.*13.16 Put thine…: Heb. Make thine hand to ride 17 And he said, Open the window eastward. And he opened it. Then Elisha said, Shoot. And he shot. And he said, The arrow of the LORD’s deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria: for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek, till thou have consumed them. 18 And he said, Take the arrows. And he took them. And he said unto the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground. And he smote thrice, and stayed. 19 And the man of God was wroth with him, and said, Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice.

20 And Elisha died, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year. 21 And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.*13.21 was…: Heb. went down

22 But Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz. 23 And the LORD was gracious unto them, and had compassion on them, and had respect unto them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as yet.*13.23 presence: Heb. face 24 So Hazael king of Syria died; and Ben-hadad his son reigned in his stead. 25 And Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz took again out of the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael the cities, which he had taken out of the hand of Jehoahaz his father by war. Three times did Joash beat him, and recovered the cities of Israel.*13.25 took…: Heb. returned and took