2 kings 14:24 - He did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight. He didn’t depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin.

Generated Verse: 2 kings 14:24

What does "2 kings 14:24" mean?


This verse, 2 Kings 14:24, is part of the summary evaluation of King Jeroboam II's reign in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Let's break down its meaning:

"He did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight": This is a standard phrase used throughout the books of Kings to describe a king who did not follow God's commandments. It implies that Jeroboam II engaged in practices that were considered sinful and displeasing to God.

"He didn’t depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin": This is the key part. It refers back to the first King Jeroboam (Jeroboam I, who reigned after the kingdom split). Jeroboam I was condemned for setting up alternative places of worship (golden calves in Bethel and Dan) to keep the people from going to Jerusalem to worship at the Temple. This was done to consolidate his power and prevent his people from returning to the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
"Sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat": These specifically refer to the idolatrous practices established by Jeroboam I, primarily the worship of the golden calves. These were symbols intended to represent Yahweh, but were considered idolatrous because they deviated from the divinely ordained worship practices centered on the Temple in Jerusalem.
"With which he made Israel to sin": The phrase emphasizes that Jeroboam I's actions were not just personal sins but had a far-reaching impact, leading the entire nation of Israel astray. Jeroboam II, by continuing these practices, perpetuated the spiritual corruption of the Northern Kingdom.

In essence, the verse means that despite Jeroboam II's military and political successes (as described elsewhere in the chapter), he was still considered a wicked king in God's eyes because he maintained the idolatrous practices established by Jeroboam I. He didn't abolish the golden calf worship or reform the religious system, thus leading the Israelites to continue in sin.

Context is Important:

While the verse condemns Jeroboam II's religious practices, it's important to remember that he was also a successful king who expanded Israel's territory and brought a period of prosperity. However, the biblical authors (writing from a Judahite perspective) prioritized religious faithfulness above political or economic success. The focus is on whether the king led the people to worship Yahweh correctly.
The verse highlights a recurring theme in the books of Kings: the kings of the Northern Kingdom were consistently judged negatively because they did not adhere to the Deuteronomic law that required worship to be centralized in Jerusalem.

The verse serves as a theological commentary on Jeroboam II's reign, emphasizing that true success in God's eyes is measured by obedience to His commands and proper worship, not just by worldly achievements.

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