2 Kings 13:23

23 But the LORD was gracious to them and had compassion on them, and he turned toward them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them; nor has he cast them from his presence until now.

2 Kings 13:23 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 13:23

And the Lord was gracious to them
To Israel, notwithstanding their apostasy from him, and the idolatry of the calves they were guilty of:

and had compassion on them;
being in oppression and distress:

and had respect unto them;
looked upon them with an eye of pity and mercy:

because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob;
made so long ago he still remembered:

and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as
yet;
or suffered them to be carried captive into another land, as he afterwards did in the times of Hoshea.

2 Kings 13:23 In-Context

21 And as a man was being buried, lo, a marauding band was seen and the man was cast into the grave of Eli'sha; and as soon as the man touched the bones of Eli'sha, he revived, and stood on his feet.

22 Now Haz'ael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jeho'ahaz.

23 But the LORD was gracious to them and had compassion on them, and he turned toward them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them; nor has he cast them from his presence until now.

24 When Haz'ael king of Syria died, Ben-ha'dad his son became king in his stead.

25 Then Jeho'ash the son of Jeho'ahaz took again from Ben-ha'dad the son of Haz'ael the cities which he had taken from Jeho'ahaz his father in war. Three times Jo'ash defeated him and recovered the cities of Israel.