In regard to my favorite NBA team, preseason analysts predicted that success would largely depend on the intensity of one key player. Though blessed with unusual athletic talent, he is not always aggressive in the way he competes. In 2 Kings 13, attention is redirected from southern to northern kingdom. Jehoahaz the son of Jehu is reigning in Samaria, as God continues to display His solid faithfulness (v 1). Because Jehu carried out the LORD’s execution on Ahab’s dynasty, he himself was promised a four-generation dynasty (10:30). Jehu was the man who boasted of his zeal for the LORD and “drove” his chariot “furiously” (9:20). If this guy “drove” the lane—with a basketball—his competitive fire would have never been questioned, that’s for sure! Jehu’s son Jehoahaz was a spiritual disappointment, but by now, we are used to it. The surprise comes when this calf worshiping king prays for rescue from enemy oppression, and God answers him! With compassion for His helpless and wayward people, God provides deliverance through an unnamed “savior.” Sadly the warmth of His compassion did nothing to soften the hardness of their infidelity. His mercy did not melt their hearts, and they continued in their sins. Relief from trouble is all they wanted, not transformed lives (v 2-9). Jehoash was the son of Jehoahaz and grandson of Jehu. The defining moment of his reign came when visiting Elisha as the prophet was ailing and near death. The king wept before him, so Elisha sought to encourage, using bow and arrows. They shoot an arrow out the east window, and Elisha calls it, “The LORD’s arrow of victory... over Syria.” Now that Jehoash understands what the arrow means, Elisha wants to see how much it means to him. Will the king apply God’s Word with gusto? The prophet orders him to “strike the ground” with arrows, apparently shooting through the window into the ground. Jehoash strikes three times and stops. Elisha is furious! In his judgment, the king should have used five or six arrows at least! Does he want victory over Syria or not? In essence, the prophet gave him a blank check, and he only cashed half of it. As a result of his half-hearted effort, victory over Syria is limited (v 14-19, 22-25). Another bizarre incident accompanies the death of God’s prophet. While Elijah had personally escaped death, Elisha’s bones provide an escape from death for someone else. The incident shows there is always hope for God’s people, for His power does not disappear with the death of His servants. Yes, by the powerful Word of God, the nation will live again. And so will every believer in Christ (v 20-21). Let us love and serve Him, with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. The lesson is plain: how someone responds to God’s Word is more significant than all the achievements and honors of a lifetime. For further meditation: