20 Elisha died , and they buried him. Now the bands of the Moabites would invade the land in the spring of the year . 21 As they were burying a man , behold , they saw a marauding band ; and they cast the man into the grave of Elisha . And when the man touched the bones of Elisha he revived and stood up on his feet . 22 Now Hazael king of Aram had oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz . 23 But the Lord was gracious to them and had compassion on them and turned to them because of His covenant with Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob , and would not destroy them or cast them from His presence until now . 24 When Hazael king of Aram died , Ben-hadad his son became king in his place . 25 Then Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz took again from the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael the cities which he had taken in war from the hand of Jehoahaz his father . Three times Joash defeated him and recovered the cities of Israel .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Kings 13:20-25
Commentary on 2 Kings 13:20-25
(Read 2 Kings 13:20-25)
God has many ways to chastise a provoking people. Trouble comes sometimes from that point whence we least feared it. The mention of this invasion on the death of Elisha, shows that the removal of God's faithful prophets is a presage of coming judgments. His dead body was a means of giving life to another dead body. This miracle was a confirmation of his prophecies. And it may have reference to Christ, by whose death and burial, the grave is made a safe and happy passage to life to all believers. Jehoash was successful against the Syrians, just as often as he had struck the ground with the arrows, then a stop was put to his victories. Many have repented, when too late, of distrusts and the straitness of their desires.