His mercy endureth for ever

2 Kings 13

Jehoahaz Rules in Israel

1 Jehoahaz son of Jehu began to rule over Israel in the twenty-third year of King Joash’s reign in Judah. He reigned in Samaria seventeen years.
2 But he did what was evil in the LORD’s sight. He followed the example of Jeroboam son of Nebat, continuing the sins that Jeroboam had led Israel to commit.
3 So the LORD was very angry with Israel, and he allowed King Hazael of Aram and his son Ben-hadad to defeat them repeatedly.
4 Then Jehoahaz prayed for the LORD’s help, and the LORD heard his prayer, for he could see how severely the king of Aram was oppressing Israel.
5 So the LORD provided someone to rescue the Israelites from the tyranny of the Arameans. Then Israel lived in safety again as they had in former days.
6 But they continued to sin, following the evil example of Jeroboam. They also allowed the Asherah pole in Samaria to remain standing.



This is passage is very strange to me

in verse 2 it says Jehoahaz did evil
in verse 3 God is very angry with him
in verse 4 he prays
in verse 5 God answers and helps
in verse 6  they continued to sin

Until I remember Psalm 145:8

"The LORD is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love."

If you continue to read you see that

7 Finally, Jehoahaz’s army was reduced to 50 charioteers, 10 chariots, and 10,000 foot soldiers. The king of Aram had killed the others, trampling them like dust under his feet.

Sin in the end leads where sin always leads (lost and death). But just because the king cries to God then because of Gods mercy things return to normal for a time
"Then Israel lived in safety again as they had in former days."