The Arrow of Victory

Jehoahaz son of Jehu did evil, following Jeroboam's sins. The Lord's anger burned, and He gave Israel into the hand of Hazael and his son Ben Hadad. But Jehoahaz begged the Lord, and the Lord listened, for He saw Israel's oppression. He gave Israel a savior. Yet they did not turn from Jeroboam's sins.

Elisha fell sick with the illness that would kill him. Jehoash king of Israel wept over him, crying, My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen! Elisha told him to take bow and arrows. He laid his hands on the king's hands. He said to open the east window and shoot. Elisha declared it the Lord's arrow of victory over Syria.

Then he told the king to strike the ground with the arrows. The king struck three times and stopped. The man of God was angry. He said striking five or six times would have meant complete victory, but now he would strike Syria only three times. Elisha died and was buried. When a dead man was thrown into his tomb and touched his bones, he revived and stood up. The Lord was gracious to Israel because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jehoash defeated Syria three times.