The Explanation

King Joash of Israel had died. The Bible says it simply. "Joash slept with his fathers, and Jeroboam sat on his throne. Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel." One king closes his eyes for the last time. Another king, his son Jeroboam, sits down on the throne. The crown goes to the next head. Life goes on in the palace.

But this little verse stands between two big stories. Right before it, King Joash had visited a dying old man named Elisha, weeping over him and calling him "my father, my father." Right after it, that same Elisha, though he is dead and buried, does something no one expects. A dead man is thrown into his tomb, touches his bones, and stands up alive again. So verse 13 is like a quiet doorway. It closes the door on one king's life, and opens the door on something wonderful.

What Does This Mean?

Why does the Bible even bother telling us that Joash died and was buried? It seems so plain. No swords, no battles, just a burial. But this is important, because it reminds us that kings, even strong ones, do not last forever. Joash could ride in chariots. Joash could fight wars. But Joash could not stop himself from dying. His crown was passed to someone else, just like his father's crown was passed to him.

Every king in this chapter did what was evil in God's eyes. They forgot God, they kept old idols, yet God kept sending help anyway. Kings come and kings go, but through all of it, God stays on His throne. He never sleeps with his fathers. He never needs someone else to take His place.

The Common Thread

This story points forward, further than Joash could ever imagine. One day another King would come, from the line of David. He also would be buried, wrapped and laid in a tomb, just like Joash. But unlike Joash, this King would not simply sleep with his fathers. Jesus rose up out of His grave, alive forever, never to be buried again.

Even the strange miracle right after our verse whispers this hope. A dead man touches Elisha's bones and lives. Even bones that had stopped moving could still carry the power of the living God. That was only a small sign. It pointed to the day when Jesus Himself would walk out of His tomb, with life that never runs out.

For You

Kings die. Presidents change. Even the people you love the most will not stay forever. That can feel scary to think about. But the good news is that you are not trusting in a king who sleeps with his fathers. You are trusting in Jesus, who is alive right now, today, at this very moment.

So when someone you love gets old, or sick, or when you feel afraid of things ending, you can pray to a King who never stops reigning. You can tell Him your fears out loud. You can thank Him that He did not stay in the grave.

Talk About It

Why do you think the Bible tells us exactly where kings were buried?

What is different about Jesus compared to every other king who ever lived?

Praying Together

Dear God, thank You that You never stop being King. Thank You that Jesus did not stay in the grave, but is alive today. When I feel scared about things ending, help me remember that You are always on the throne. Amen.