God’s Mercy on Israel

²² King Hazael^(A) of Aram oppressed Israel throughout the reign of Jehoahaz, ²³ but the Lord was gracious to them, had compassion on them,^(B) and turned toward them because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.^(C) He was not willing to destroy them. Even now he has not banished them from his presence.^(D)

²⁴ King Hazael of Aram died, and his son Ben-hadad^(E) became king in his place. ²⁵ Then Jehoash son of Jehoahaz took back from Ben-hadad son of Hazael the cities that Hazael had taken in war from Jehoash’s father Jehoahaz. Jehoash defeated Ben-hadad three times and recovered the cities of Israel.^(F)