2 Kings 13:25

25 Then Jehoash son of Jehoahaz recaptured from Ben-hadad son of Hazael the towns that had been taken from Jehoash’s father, Jehoahaz. Jehoash defeated Ben-hadad on three occasions, and he recovered the Israelite towns.

2 Kings 13:25 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 13:25

And Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz took again out of the hand of
Benhadad the son of Hazael the cities which he had taken out of the
hand of Jehoahaz his father by war
Which were in the countries of Gilead and Bashan, and belonged to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh, ( 2 Kings 10:33 ) ,

three times did Joash beat him:
in so many pitched battles, but where is not said, no doubt one of them was in Aphek, at least, ( 2 Kings 13:17 ) , and perhaps the other two on the other side Jordan; this agrees with the three times he smote the ground, significant thereof, ( 2 Kings 13:18 )

and recovered the cities of Israel;
those before mentioned; otherwise, if those had not been recovered, not ten tribes, only seven and a half, would have been carried captive by the king of Assyria; whereas Josephus ^F25 says expressly, the ten tribes were carried captive.

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FOOTNOTES:

F25 Antiqu. l. 9. c. 14. sect. 1.

2 Kings 13:25 In-Context

23 But the LORD was gracious and merciful to the people of Israel, and they were not totally destroyed. He pitied them because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And to this day he still has not completely destroyed them or banished them from his presence.

24 King Hazael of Aram died, and his son Ben-hadad became the next king.

25 Then Jehoash son of Jehoahaz recaptured from Ben-hadad son of Hazael the towns that had been taken from Jehoash’s father, Jehoahaz. Jehoash defeated Ben-hadad on three occasions, and he recovered the Israelite towns.