2 Kings 13:12

KJV

And the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, and his might wherewith he fought against Amaziah king of Judah, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

KJV (with Strong's)

And the rest {H3499} of the acts {H1697} of Joash {H3101}, and all that he did {H6213}, and his might {H1369} wherewith he fought {H3898} against Amaziah {H558} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063}, are they not written {H3789} in the book {H5612} of the chronicles {H1697}{H3117} of the kings {H4428} of Israel {H3478}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Other activities of Yo'ash, all his accomplishments and his power in fighting Amatzyah king of Y'hudah are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Isra'el.

Berean Standard Bible

As for the rest of the acts of Jehoash, along with all his accomplishments and his might, including his war against Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?

American Standard Version

Now the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, and his might wherewith he fought against Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Kings 13:12 serves as a concluding summary statement for the reign of Joash (Jehoash), king of Israel, a common literary device in the Books of Kings. It briefly notes that the remainder of his deeds, including his military prowess and his conflict with Amaziah, king of Judah, are recorded in the official "book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel." This verse functions to complete the narrative segment on Joash, affirm the historical basis of the biblical account by referencing external records, and transition the reader to the subsequent reign.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse appears at the conclusion of the account of King Joash's reign in 2 Kings, specifically following the narrative of his interactions with the prophet Elisha. The preceding verses detail Elisha's deathbed prophecy to Joash, instructing him to strike the ground with arrows, symbolizing limited victories against Aram (Syria). Though Joash only struck three times, thereby limiting Israel's triumph, he did achieve some success against the Arameans (2 Kings 13:25). The verse immediately before 2 Kings 13:12, verse 11, condemns Joash for continuing the idolatrous practices of Jeroboam I, a standard evaluation for Northern Kingdom kings. Thus, 2 Kings 13:12 acts as a formulaic summary, typical of the Deuteronomistic History, signaling the end of a king's rule and directing readers to other sources for a more exhaustive account, before introducing the next monarch.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Joash ruled the Northern Kingdom of Israel (c. 798–782 BC), while Amaziah reigned over the Southern Kingdom of Judah (c. 796–767 BC). Despite their shared heritage as descendants of Jacob, the two kingdoms frequently engaged in conflict after the [division of the united monarchy](/1_kings/12 "1 Kings 12 - Division of the Kingdom"). The specific war between Joash and Amaziah is detailed in [2 Kings 14:8-14](/2_kings/14-8 "2 Kings 14:8-14 - War Between Joash and Amaziah") and [2 Chronicles 25:17-24](/2_chronicles/25-17 "2 Chronicles 25:17-24 - Amaziah's Challenge and Defeat"), where Amaziah foolishly challenged Joash to battle at Beth-shemesh and suffered a decisive defeat, resulting in the breaching of Jerusalem's walls and the plundering of the temple and palace. The reference to "the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel" points to official, contemporary historical records maintained by the Israelite kingdom, which were distinct from the biblical narrative itself. These royal annals were common in ancient Near Eastern monarchies, serving as source material for the biblical authors, lending credibility to the historical accounts presented in Scripture.
* **Key Themes:** The verse, though brief, contributes to several overarching themes within 2 Kings and the Deuteronomistic History. It highlights the **historical record-keeping** practices of ancient Israel, underscoring the biblical authors' reliance on and acknowledgment of external, verifiable sources, which reinforces the historical grounding of the narrative. It functions as a **summary and transition** device, marking the completion of Joash's reign and preparing the reader for the succession, a common structural element throughout [1 and 2 Kings](/1_kings/1 "1 Kings - The Reigns of Israel's Kings"). The mention of the conflict with Amaziah underscores the persistent **inter-kingdom conflict** between Israel and Judah, a tragic consequence of the kingdom's division that continued for centuries, often driven by pride and a lack of trust in God, as seen in Amaziah's challenge in [2 Chronicles 25:17](/2_chronicles/25-17 "2 Chronicles 25:17 - Amaziah's Challenge"). Lastly, the reference to external chronicles subtly speaks to the **biblical authority and sources**, demonstrating that the biblical text is not exhaustive but selective, focusing on theological and covenantal implications while acknowledging a broader historical context.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Chronicles (Hebrew, _divrei hayyamim'_):** This phrase literally means "the words/affairs of the days" or "the events of the days." It refers to official, day-by-day records or annals kept by the royal scribes of the Israelite and Judean kingdoms. These were not merely lists but likely detailed accounts of significant events, military campaigns, building projects, and administrative decisions. The biblical authors frequently cite these "chronicles" as external, authoritative sources for additional information not included in the biblical narrative, affirming the historical basis of their accounts.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did":** This opening phrase is a standard formula used repeatedly throughout the Books of Kings to indicate that the preceding narrative has not exhausted the full scope of a king's reign. It acknowledges that a monarch's life and rule involved many more events, policies, and actions than the biblical text chooses to recount. This selectivity highlights the theological purpose of the biblical narrative, which focuses on God's interaction with His people and their obedience or disobedience to the covenant, rather than providing a comprehensive secular history.
* **"and his might wherewith he fought against Amaziah king of Judah":** This specific detail is singled out from "all that he did" due to its significance. The conflict between Joash of Israel and Amaziah of Judah was a major event, resulting in a decisive victory for Israel and a humiliating defeat for Judah, including the breaching of Jerusalem's walls. This particular mention serves as a preview or a cross-reference to the more detailed account found in [2 Kings 14](/2_kings/14 "2 Kings 14 - Reign of Amaziah and Jeroboam II") and [2 Chronicles 25](/2_chronicles/25 "2 Chronicles 25 - Reign of Amaziah"). It underscores the ongoing, often destructive, rivalry between the two divided kingdoms.
* **"[are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?":** This is a rhetorical question, a common literary device in the Books of Kings. It is not an expression of doubt but an emphatic affirmation. The implied answer is a resounding "Yes, they are!" This serves several purposes: it assures the original audience of the historical veracity of the events, points them to readily available (at the time) external sources for further details, and reinforces the idea that the biblical narrative is a curated, divinely inspired account rather than an exhaustive historical encyclopedia. It demonstrates the biblical authors' engagement with and reliance upon contemporary historical documentation.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in 2 Kings 13:12 is **Rhetorical Question**. The phrase "[are] they not written...?" is not posed to elicit information but to make an emphatic statement, affirming the existence and accessibility of the royal chronicles. This technique serves to validate the historical claims within the biblical narrative, assuring the reader that the events recounted are grounded in verifiable records, even if those records are not fully reproduced within Scripture. It also subtly employs **Metonymy**, where "the book of the chronicles" stands for the broader body of historical documentation and the historical truth it contains. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Formulaic Summary**, a recurring literary convention in the Books of Kings that marks the conclusion of a king's reign and provides a transition to the next, while simultaneously referencing external sources for a more complete historical record.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This seemingly administrative verse carries significant theological weight. It implicitly affirms the historicity of the biblical narrative, demonstrating that the inspired Word of God is rooted in real events and verifiable records, not myth or legend. The authors of Kings were not fabricating stories but were selecting and interpreting actual historical occurrences through a theological lens, emphasizing God's covenant faithfulness, the consequences of idolatry, and the outworking of His sovereign plan. The reference to external sources also highlights the Bible's self-attesting integrity; it doesn't claim to be an exhaustive historical record but rather a divinely guided account focused on spiritual truths and God's redemptive purposes. This approach instills confidence in the reader that the foundational events of salvation history are grounded in objective reality.

* [1 Kings 11:41](/1_kings/11-41 "1 Kings 11:41 - Solomon's Chronicles")
* [2 Kings 14:15](/2_kings/14-15 "2 Kings 14:15 - Jeroboam II's Chronicles")
* [2 Chronicles 25:26](/2_chronicles/25-26 "2 Chronicles 25:26 - Amaziah's Chronicles")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While 2 Kings 13:12 might appear to be a mere archival note, it offers profound lessons for the modern believer. It reminds us that our faith is not built on fables but on historical realities, attested to by both internal and external evidence. The biblical authors, under divine inspiration, meticulously compiled and presented a narrative that was both historically accurate and theologically purposeful. This should bolster our confidence in the reliability of Scripture, encouraging us to delve deeper into its truths, knowing they are grounded in the unfolding of God's plan in human history. Moreover, the verse subtly teaches us about the selective nature of divine revelation; God reveals what is necessary for our salvation and spiritual growth, not every mundane detail. Our focus, therefore, should be on discerning the overarching narrative of God's redemptive work and applying its timeless principles to our lives, rather than seeking exhaustive historical minutiae that God deemed unnecessary for His primary message.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Bible's reference to external historical records like "the chronicles of the kings of Israel" strengthen your confidence in its overall reliability and truthfulness?**
* **What does the selective nature of the biblical narrative (only recounting certain events) teach us about God's priorities in revealing His truth to humanity?**
* **In what ways can we, like the biblical authors, discern and focus on God's overarching purposes in our own lives amidst the many daily details?**

### FAQ

**Why does the Bible frequently refer to these "chronicles" if it doesn't include all the details?**

Answer: The frequent references to "the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel" (and Judah) serve several crucial purposes. Firstly, they validate the historical claims within the biblical narrative. By pointing to external, contemporary records, the biblical authors assure their original audience that the events they describe are not fabricated but are grounded in verifiable history. This lends credibility and authority to the text. Secondly, it highlights the selective nature of the biblical account. The Books of Kings are not intended to be exhaustive historical encyclopedias of every royal act. Instead, they are theological histories, divinely inspired to tell the story of God's covenant relationship with Israel, their obedience or disobedience, and the consequences thereof. The authors chose to include only those details relevant to their theological message, while acknowledging that more information existed in the official state records for those who wished to consult them. This demonstrates the Bible's focus on God's redemptive plan and His moral governance over nations, rather than a comprehensive secular history. For example, the detailed account of the war between Joash and Amaziah is found in [2 Kings 14:8-14](/2_kings/14-8 "2 Kings 14:8-14 - War Between Joash and Amaziah"), but the summary statement in [2 Kings 13:12](/2_kings/13-12 "2 Kings 13:12 - Summary of Joash's Reign") points to the broader context.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Kings 13:12 is a historical summary of an Israelite king, its underlying theological principles point forward to Christ. The emphasis on the historical veracity of the king's acts, recorded in reliable chronicles, foreshadows the absolute historical grounding of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Just as the acts of Joash were "written in the book of the chronicles," so too were the saving acts of God in Christ meticulously recorded and attested to by eyewitnesses. The New Testament Gospels are not myths but historical accounts, written by those who "from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word" ([Luke 1:2](/luke/1-2 "Luke 1:2 - Eyewitness Accounts")). The very fact that God's plan unfolds in real history, through real kings and real conflicts, underscores that His ultimate redemptive work in Christ is also a concrete, historical event. The "might" of Joash in battle, though limited by human failing, pales in comparison to the ultimate victory and "might" of the true King, Jesus, who "disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him" ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). He is the King whose "acts" are not merely recorded in human chronicles but are eternally inscribed in the cosmos, culminating in His glorious return as the [King of kings and Lord of lords](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Kings 13:14

Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.

2 Kings 13:25

And Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz took again out of the hand of Benhadad the son of Hazael the cities, which he had taken out of the hand of Jehoahaz his father by war. Three times did Joash beat him, and recovered the cities of Israel.

2 Kings 14:25

He restored the coast of Israel from the entering of Hamath unto the sea of the plain, according to the word of the LORD God of Israel, which he spake by the hand of his servant Jonah, the son of Amittai, the prophet, which [was] of Gathhepher.

2 Chronicles 25:17

¶ Then Amaziah king of Judah took advice, and sent to Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us see one another in the face.

2 Chronicles 25:24

And [he took] all the gold and the silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of God with Obededom, and the treasures of the king's house, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria.

2 Kings 14:8

¶ Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us look one another in the face.

2 Kings 14:16

And Jehoash slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel; and Jeroboam his son reigned in his stead.