Then Jehoahaz prayed to the LORD, and the LORD, seeing how harshly the king of Syria was oppressing the Israelites, answered his prayer.

Then the LORD said, "I have seen how cruelly my people are being treated in Egypt; I have heard them cry out to be rescued from their slave drivers. I know all about their sufferings,

I have indeed heard the cry of my people, and I see how the Egyptians are oppressing them.

So they got rid of their foreign gods and worshiped the LORD; and he became troubled over Israel's distress.

Many times the LORD rescued his people, but they chose to rebel against him and sank deeper into sin.

For their sake he remembered his covenant, and because of his great love he relented.

from all their suffering. It was not an angel, but the LORD himself who saved them. In his love and compassion he rescued them. He had always taken care of them in the past,

The LORD will rescue his people when he sees that their strength is gone. He will have mercy on those who serve him, when he sees how helpless they are.

Because of this I will bring disaster on your dynasty and will kill all your male descendants, young and old alike. I will get rid of your family; they will be swept away like dung.

So the LORD says to you, 'I will bring disaster on you. I will do away with you and get rid of every male in your family, young and old alike.