2 kings 15:18 - He did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight. He didn’t depart all his days from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin.

Generated Verse: 2 kings 15:18

What does "2 kings 15:18" mean?


This verse from 2 Kings 15:18 describes the reign of a king of Israel (likely Menahem or a subsequent king) and highlights two key things:

1. "He did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight." This is a common refrain in the books of Kings and Chronicles when evaluating the reigns of Israelite and Judean kings. It means the king acted in ways that were displeasing to God, likely involving idolatry, injustice, and disregard for the Law.

2. "He didn’t depart all his days from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin." This is a crucial point. It refers back to the actions of Jeroboam I, the first king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel after the kingdom split. Jeroboam I established two golden calves, one in Bethel and one in Dan, and encouraged the people to worship there instead of going to the temple in Jerusalem.

Why was this a sin? It violated God's command to worship Him alone (monotheism) and to do so in the manner He prescribed (often associated with the Temple in Jerusalem). It was seen as a form of idolatry and a rejection of God's authority.

"With which he made Israel to sin." This phrase emphasizes the long-lasting negative impact of Jeroboam's actions. Subsequent kings, like the one described in 2 Kings 15:18, continued to allow or even promote this false worship, perpetuating the sin and leading the people away from God.

In essence, the verse is saying that the king in question was a bad king because he continued to promote the idolatrous worship of the golden calves that Jeroboam I had introduced, thereby leading the people of Israel astray from the true worship of Yahweh.

Implications:

Judgment: This type of assessment was a precursor to divine judgment, according to the Deuteronomistic History (the framework behind the books of Deuteronomy through 2 Kings). Kings who persisted in such evil would bring disaster upon themselves and their kingdom.
Historical Context: It shows the continued religious decline of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, which ultimately led to its destruction by the Assyrians.
Thematic Significance: It highlights the consequences of disobedience and the importance of faithful leadership.

So, the verse is not just a simple statement of fact; it's a judgment on the king's reign and a foreshadowing of potential disaster because of his continued adherence to Jeroboam's idolatrous practices.

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