And Ahaziah walked in the ways of the house of Ahab and did evil in the sight of the LORD like the house of Ahab, for he was a son-in-law of the house of Ahab. And he walkedThe phrase "walked" in Hebrew is "halak," which often signifies a manner of life or conduct. In the biblical context, walking is frequently used metaphorically to describe one's spiritual journey or moral behavior. Here, it indicates a deliberate choice to follow a particular path, suggesting that the individual actively chose to align with the practices and values of the house of Ahab. in the way of the house of Ahab
The "way" refers to the lifestyle, practices, and religious inclinations of Ahab's dynasty. Ahab, a king of Israel, is infamously known for his idolatry and promotion of Baal worship, largely influenced by his wife Jezebel. The "house of Ahab" symbolizes a legacy of apostasy and rebellion against God. This phrase indicates that the individual adopted the same corrupt and idolatrous practices, rejecting the covenantal faithfulness expected by God. and did evil in the sight of the LORD
The term "evil" in Hebrew is "ra," which encompasses moral wickedness and rebellion against God's commandments. "In the sight of the LORD" underscores the omniscience of God, who sees and judges all actions. This phrase highlights the gravity of the sin, as it is not merely a societal or personal failing but a direct affront to God's holiness and authority. like the house of Ahab
This comparison reinforces the extent of the individual's deviation from God's ways. The "house of Ahab" serves as a benchmark for idolatry and moral corruption in Israel's history. By likening his actions to those of Ahab's house, the text emphasizes the severity and continuity of the sin, suggesting a willful perpetuation of Ahab's legacy. for he was a son-in-law to Ahab
This familial connection to Ahab through marriage implies a deeper integration into Ahab's idolatrous practices. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, marriage alliances often involved the merging of religious and cultural practices. Being a "son-in-law" to Ahab suggests not only a political alliance but also a spiritual and moral compromise, as he likely adopted the religious practices of Ahab's household. Persons / Places / Events 1. AhaziahThe king of Judah who followed the sinful ways of the house of Ahab. His reign is marked by idolatry and evil practices. 2. House of AhabA royal family in Israel known for their idolatry and opposition to God. Ahab, along with his wife Jezebel, led Israel into sin. 3. JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, where Ahaziah reigned. Despite being a separate kingdom, it was influenced by the northern kingdom's idolatry through familial ties. 4. JehoramAhaziah's father, who also followed the ways of Ahab, further entrenching the influence of Ahab's house in Judah. 5. The LORDThe God of Israel, whose standards of righteousness were violated by Ahaziah's actions. Teaching Points Influence of Family and AssociationsAhaziah's marriage into the house of Ahab led him to adopt their sinful practices. This serves as a warning about the influence of close relationships on our spiritual lives. Consequences of IdolatryThe repeated mention of doing "evil in the sight of the LORD" underscores the seriousness of idolatry and its consequences, reminding us to guard against anything that takes God's place in our lives. Leadership and ResponsibilityAs a king, Ahaziah's actions had national implications. This highlights the responsibility of leaders to uphold righteousness and the impact of their personal choices on those they lead. The Importance of Godly HeritageDespite being from the line of David, Ahaziah chose the path of Ahab. This illustrates the importance of maintaining a godly heritage and the dangers of departing from it. Bible Study Questions 1. How did Ahaziah's marriage into the house of Ahab influence his reign, and what can this teach us about the impact of our relationships on our spiritual walk? 2. In what ways do we see the consequences of idolatry in Ahaziah's life, and how can we apply this understanding to avoid modern forms of idolatry? 3. Considering Ahaziah's role as a leader, what lessons can we learn about the importance of godly leadership and its impact on those we influence? 4. How does Ahaziah's departure from the godly heritage of David serve as a warning for us today in maintaining our spiritual legacy? 5. Reflect on a time when you were influenced by those around you, either positively or negatively. How can you ensure that your associations lead you closer to God rather than away from Him? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Kings 16:30-33Provides background on Ahab's reign and his introduction of Baal worship in Israel, setting a precedent for the idolatry that Ahaziah would later follow. 2 Chronicles 22:3-4Offers a parallel account of Ahaziah's reign, emphasizing his wickedness and the influence of his mother, Athaliah, who was Ahab's daughter. Exodus 20:3-5The commandments against idolatry highlight the gravity of Ahaziah's actions in following the house of Ahab. People Ahab, Ahaziah, Aram, Athaliah, Ben, Benhadad, Ben-hadad, David, Edomites, Elisha, Gehazi, Hadad, Hazael, Israelites, Jehoram, Jehoshaphat, Jezreel, Joram, Omri, SyriansPlaces Damascus, Edom, Jerusalem, Jezreel, Libnah, Ramah, Ramoth-gilead, Samaria, Syria, ZairTopics Ahab, Ahab's, Evil, Family, Law, Marriage, Related, Sight, Son-in-law, Walked, WalkethDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 8:16-29 5366 king 2 Kings 8:26-27 8739 evil, examples of Library The Story of Hazael
'So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels' burden, and came and stood before him, and said, Thy son Ben-hadad king of Syria hath sent me to thee, saying, Shall I recover of this disease? 10. And Elisha said unto him, Go, say unto him, Thou mayest certainly recover: howbeit the Lord hath shewed me that he shall surely die. 11. And he settled his countenance stedfastly, until he was ashamed: and the man of God wept. 12. And Hazael said, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureHazael
BY REV. J. G. GREENHOUGH, M.A. "But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing?"--2 KINGS viii. 13. Hazael was the chief minister and prime favourite of Benhadad, the Syrian king. He had been raised from a humble lot and promoted to that high post by the partiality of his sovereign, who had doubtless discerned his exceptional abilities, and certainly placed implicit trust in him. Just now the king was dangerously ill, and Hazael had been sent to inquire of the prophet of Israel …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
Assur-nazir-pal (885-860) and Shalmaneser III. (860-825)--The kingdom of Urartu and its conquering princes: Menuas and Argistis. Assyria was the first to reappear on the scene of action. Less hampered by an ancient past than Egypt and Chaldaea, she was the sooner able to recover her strength after any disastrous crisis, and to assume again the offensive along the whole of her frontier line. Image Drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a bas-relief at Koyunjik of the time of Sennacherib. The initial cut, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7 The Prophet Jonah.
It has been asserted without any sufficient reason, that Jonah is older than Hosea, Joel, Amos, and Obadiah,--that he is the oldest among the prophets whose written monuments have been preserved to us. The passage in 2 Kings xiv. 25, where it is said, that Jonah, the son of Amittai the prophet, prophesied to Jeroboam the happy success of his arms, and the restoration of the ancient boundaries of Israel, and that this prophecy was confirmed by the event, cannot decide in favour of this assertion, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Redemption for Man Lost to be Sought in Christ.
1. The knowledge of God the Creator of no avail without faith in Christ the Redeemer. First reason. Second reason strengthened by the testimony of an Apostle. Conclusion. This doctrine entertained by the children of God in all ages from the beginning of the world. Error of throwing open heaven to the heathen, who know nothing of Christ. The pretexts for this refuted by passages of Scripture. 2. God never was propitious to the ancient Israelites without Christ the Mediator. First reason founded on …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion The Prophet Joel.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. The position which has been assigned to Joel in the collection of the Minor Prophets, furnishes an external argument for the determination of the time at which Joel wrote. There cannot be any doubt that the Collectors were guided by a consideration of the chronology. The circumstance, that they placed the prophecies of Joel just between the two prophets who, according to the inscriptions and contents of their prophecies, belonged to the time of Jeroboam and Uzziah, is …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Christ's Prophetic Office
'The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet,' &c. Deut 18:85. Having spoken of the person of Christ, we are next to speak of the offices of Christ. These are Prophetic, Priestly, and Regal. 'The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet.' Enunciatur hic locus de Christo. It is spoken of Christ.' There are several names given to Christ as a Prophet. He is called the Counsellor' in Isa 9:9. In uno Christo Angelus foederis completur [The Messenger of the Covenant appears in Christ alone]. …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Tit. 2:06 Thoughts for Young Men
WHEN St. Paul wrote his Epistle to Titus about his duty as a minister, he mentioned young men as a class requiring peculiar attention. After speaking of aged men and aged women, and young women, he adds this pithy advice, "Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded" (Tit. 2:6). I am going to follow the Apostle's advice. I propose to offer a few words of friendly exhortation to young men. I am growing old myself, but there are few things I remember so well as the days of my youth. I have a most …
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times Commerce
The remarkable change which we have noticed in the views of Jewish authorities, from contempt to almost affectation of manual labour, could certainly not have been arbitrary. But as we fail to discover here any religious motive, we can only account for it on the score of altered political and social circumstances. So long as the people were, at least nominally, independent, and in possession of their own land, constant engagement in a trade would probably mark an inferior social stage, and imply …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Original Sin
Q-16: DID ALL MANKIND FALL IN ADAM'S FIRST TRANSGRESSION? A: The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity, all mankind descending from him, by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him in his first transgression. 'By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin,' &c. Rom 5:12. Adam being a representative person, while he stood, we stood; when he fell, we fell, We sinned in Adam; so it is in the text, In whom all have sinned.' Adam was the head …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Kings 8:27 NIV2 Kings 8:27 NLT2 Kings 8:27 ESV2 Kings 8:27 NASB2 Kings 8:27 KJV
2 Kings 8:27 Commentaries
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