³ So the Lord’s anger^(A) burned against Israel, and for a long time he kept them under the power^(B) of Hazael king of Aram and Ben-Hadad^(C) his son.

¹⁴ In his anger^(A) against Israel the Lord gave them into the hands^(B) of raiders who plundered^(C) them. He sold them^(D) into the hands of their enemies all around, whom they were no longer able to resist.^(E)

²⁴ Hazael king of Aram died, and Ben-Hadad^(A) his son succeeded him as king. ²⁵ Then Jehoash son of Jehoahaz recaptured from Ben-Hadad son of Hazael the towns he had taken in battle from his father Jehoahaz. Three times^(B) Jehoash defeated him, and so he recovered^(C) the Israelite towns.

¹⁷ Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael,^(A) and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu.^(B)

¹⁷ About this time Hazael^(A) king of Aram went up and attacked Gath and captured it. Then he turned to attack Jerusalem.

²⁹ for our “God is a consuming fire.”^[a](A)

God’s Judgment on Assyria

²² Hazael king of Aram oppressed^(A) Israel throughout the reign of Jehoahaz.

¹² “Why is my lord weeping?” asked Hazael.

“Because I know the harm^(A) you will do to the Israelites,” he answered. “You will set fire to their fortified places, kill their young men with the sword, dash^(B) their little children^(C) to the ground, and rip open^(D) their pregnant women.”

¹³ Hazael said, “How could your servant, a mere dog,^(E) accomplish such a feat?”

“The Lord has shown me that you will become king^(F) of Aram,” answered Elisha.