Bible Figure
Jehoahaz of Israel
Jehoahaz son of Jehu was king of northern Israel during a period of severe oppression by Aram.
Biography
Jehoahaz continued the sins of Jeroboam, and Kings says the Lord allowed Hazael and Ben-hadad of Aram to oppress Israel. The kingdom's military strength was drastically reduced. Yet Jehoahaz sought the Lord's favor, and God heard him because He saw Israel's suffering and provided a deliverer, giving the people relief from Aramean domination. Even so, Israel did not turn away from Jeroboam's sins, and the Asherah remained in Samaria.
Biblical Significance
Jehoahaz's reign displays God's compassion toward His suffering people even when their repentance is incomplete. Relief came because God saw their oppression, not because the kingdom had achieved thorough reform.