And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, as his fathers had done. He did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit. He did evilThis phrase is a recurring theme in the historical books of the Old Testament, particularly in the accounts of the kings of Israel and Judah. The Hebrew word for "evil" is "רַע" (ra), which denotes not only moral wickedness but also actions that are harmful and destructive. In the context of the kings, doing evil often involved idolatry and leading the nation away from the worship of Yahweh. This phrase sets the tone for the king's reign, indicating a departure from God's commandments and a failure to uphold the covenant. in the sight of the LORD
The Hebrew word for "sight" is "עֵינֵי" (einei), meaning "eyes." This phrase emphasizes that the actions of the king were not hidden from God. It underscores the omniscience of the LORD, who sees all actions and judges them according to His righteous standards. This serves as a reminder that human actions are always under divine scrutiny, and accountability to God is inevitable. as his fathers had done
This phrase highlights the continuity of sin and disobedience across generations. The Hebrew word for "fathers" is "אָבוֹת" (avot), which can refer to immediate ancestors or more distant forebears. The repetition of sinful patterns suggests a failure to learn from the past and a perpetuation of rebellion against God. It serves as a warning about the dangers of generational sin and the importance of breaking cycles of disobedience. He did not turn away
The Hebrew verb "סוּר" (sur) means "to turn aside" or "to depart." This phrase indicates a stubbornness or unwillingness to repent and change course. In the biblical narrative, turning away from sin is a key aspect of repentance and returning to God. The king's failure to turn away from sin signifies a hardened heart and a rejection of divine correction. from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat
Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel, is often associated with leading Israel into idolatry. The "sins of Jeroboam" typically refer to the establishment of golden calves at Bethel and Dan, which became centers of false worship. This phrase serves as a historical reference point, reminding readers of the specific transgressions that set a precedent for future kings. It underscores the long-lasting impact of Jeroboam's actions on the spiritual state of Israel. which he had caused Israel to commit
The Hebrew verb "חָטָא" (chata) means "to sin" or "to miss the mark." This phrase indicates that Jeroboam's actions led the entire nation into sin, highlighting the influence of leadership on the spiritual direction of a people. It serves as a sobering reminder of the responsibility of leaders to guide their followers toward righteousness and the consequences of failing to do so. The collective nature of the sin underscores the communal aspect of faith and the importance of national repentance. Persons / Places / Events 1. PekahiahThe king of Israel who is the subject of this verse. He continued in the sinful practices of his predecessors. 2. Jeroboam son of NebatThe first king of the northern kingdom of Israel, known for leading Israel into idolatry. 3. IsraelThe northern kingdom, distinct from Judah, often characterized by its departure from the worship of Yahweh. 4. The LORDThe covenant God of Israel, whose standards and commandments were violated by Pekahiah. 5. The Sins of JeroboamRefers to the idolatrous practices initiated by Jeroboam, including the worship of golden calves. Teaching Points The Consequences of LeadershipLeaders have a profound impact on their followers. Pekahiah's failure to turn from sin perpetuated a cycle of idolatry in Israel. The Danger of IdolatryIdolatry is a recurring theme in Israel's history, demonstrating the human tendency to replace God with other objects of worship. Generational SinThe sins of Jeroboam had lasting effects, showing how sin can be passed down and normalized across generations. The Importance of RepentanceDespite the legacy of sin, each king had the opportunity to repent and turn back to God, emphasizing the importance of personal responsibility. God's Perspective on SinThe phrase "in the sight of the LORD" reminds us that God's view of our actions is what ultimately matters, not human standards. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the leadership of Pekahiah reflect the influence of Jeroboam's initial sins, and what can this teach us about the impact of our actions on others? 2. In what ways do we see modern parallels to the idolatry practiced by Israel, and how can we guard against these in our own lives? 3. How can understanding the concept of generational sin help us break cycles of sin in our own families or communities? 4. What steps can we take to ensure that we are living "in the sight of the LORD" and not according to the standards of the world? 5. How does the opportunity for repentance, even in the face of a sinful legacy, offer hope for personal and communal transformation? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Kings 12:28-30This passage describes Jeroboam's establishment of golden calves in Bethel and Dan, leading Israel into idolatry. 2 Kings 13:11Similar language is used to describe the reign of Jehoahaz, another king who followed in the sins of Jeroboam. Exodus 20:3-4The Ten Commandments, which include prohibitions against idolatry, highlighting the gravity of Jeroboam's sins. Deuteronomy 5:9Warns against the consequences of idolatry, which can affect future generations, as seen in the repeated sins of Israel's kings. People Abel, Ahaz, Amaziah, Amram, Aram, Argob, Arieh, Azaliah, Azariah, David, Elah, Gadi, Gileadites, Hoshea, Jabesh, Jecholiah, Jecoliah, Jehu, Jeroboam, Jerusha, Jotham, Maacah, Menahem, Naphtali, Nebat, Pekah, Pekahiah, Pul, Remaliah, Rezin, Shallum, Tappuah, Tiglathpileser, Tirzah, Uzziah, Zachariah, Zadok, ZechariahPlaces Abel-beth-maacah, Assyria, Damascus, Galilee, Gilead, Hazor, Ibleam, Ijon, Janoah, Jerusalem, Kedesh, Samaria, Syria, TirzahTopics Aside, Caused, Commit, Depart, Departed, Didn't, Evil, Fathers, Jeroboam, Jerobo'am, Nebat, Sight, Sin, Sins, Turn, Turning, WherewithDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 15:9 6627 conversion, nature of 2 Kings 15:1-38 5366 king 2 Kings 15:8-9 8739 evil, examples of Library The Twelve Minor Prophets.
1. By the Jewish arrangement, which places together the twelve minor prophets in a single volume, the chronological order of the prophets as a whole is broken up. The three greater prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, stand in the true order of time. Daniel began to prophesy before Ezekiel, but continued, many years after him. The Jewish arrangement of the twelve minor prophets is in a sense chronological; that is, they put the earlier prophets at the beginning, and the later at the end of the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the BibleMeditations Before Dinner and Supper.
Meditate that hunger is like the sickness called a wolf; which, if thou dost not feed, will devour thee, and eat thee up; and that meat and drink are but as physic, or means which God hath ordained, to relieve and cure this natural infirmity and necessity of man. Use, therefore, to eat and to drink, rather to sustain and refresh the weakness of nature, than to satisfy the sensuality and delights of the flesh. Eat, therefore, to live, but live not to eat. There is no service so base, as for a man …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety A Living Book
[Illustration: (drop cap T) Symbol of "Asshur", the principal Assyrian idol.] There is only one Book that never grows old. For thousands of years men have been writing books. Most books are forgotten soon after they are written; a few of the best and wisest are remembered for a time. But all at last grow old; new discoveries are made; new ideas arise; the old books are out of date; their usefulness is at an end. Students are the only people who still care to read them. The nations to which the …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making In Galilee at the Time of Our Lord
"If any one wishes to be rich, let him go north; if he wants to be wise, let him come south." Such was the saying, by which Rabbinical pride distinguished between the material wealth of Galilee and the supremacy in traditional lore claimed for the academies of Judaea proper. Alas, it was not long before Judaea lost even this doubtful distinction, and its colleges wandered northwards, ending at last by the Lake of Gennesaret, and in that very city of Tiberias which at one time had been reputed unclean! …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life The Prophet Micah.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. Micah signifies: "Who is like Jehovah;" and by this name, the prophet is consecrated to the incomparable God, just as Hosea was to the helping God, and Nahum to the comforting God. He prophesied, according to the inscription, under Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. We are not, however, entitled, on this account, to dissever his prophecies, and to assign particular discourses to the reign of each of these kings. On the contrary, the entire collection forms only one whole. At …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Prophet Hosea.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. That the kingdom of Israel was the object of the prophet's ministry is so evident, that upon this point all are, and cannot but be, agreed. But there is a difference of opinion as to whether the prophet was a fellow-countryman of those to whom he preached, or was called by God out of the kingdom of Judah. The latter has been asserted with great confidence by Maurer, among others, in his Observ. in Hos., in the Commentat. Theol. ii. i. p. 293. But the arguments …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament 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 15:9 NIV2 Kings 15:9 NLT2 Kings 15:9 ESV2 Kings 15:9 NASB2 Kings 15:9 KJV
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