Reading for January 3rd

 Read 2 Kings 13.14-25. In 13.14-25: Elisha's death. This story lies outside of the framework for Joash (vv. 12-13) but precedes the beginning formula for Jeroboam II (14.23-24). Since the deuteronomistic editor regularly uses these formulas as the frame work for the history, this story may be either out of place or a later addition. In verse 14: My father is a term of respect showing the king's subordination to the prophet. The exact sense of the chariots of Israel and its horsemen here is uncertain. It recalls previous episodes in the Elisha stories (2.12; 6.17) and may have become a kind of nickname for him because of those episodes. In verses 15-17: Symbolic acts like this one are frequently carried out by prophets in the bible, especially by Ezekiel and Jeremiah. In this case, the Lord's arrow of victory is shot eastward (v. 17), toward Aram (Syria), to represent victory over the Arameans. In verses 18-19: This is an example of bellomancy, the use of weapons of war to foretell the future, which was common in the ancient Near East. In verses 20-21: Elisha's miraculous powers continue even after his death. In verses 22-23: While these verses were certainly written after the fall of Israel in 721 BCE, the writer still appeals to the people of the north stating that the Lord has not ultimately abandoned them. In verses 24-25: These verses fulfill Elisha's prediction in v. 19. Comments or Questions..