Jeroboam II, son of Jehoash (also known as Joash), was the fourteenth king of the northern kingdom of Israel. His reign is recorded in the biblical books of 2 Kings and 1 Chronicles. Jeroboam II ruled during a period of relative prosperity and expansion for Israel, approximately from 793 to 753 BC. His reign is noted for its military successes and economic growth, although it was also marked by spiritual decline and social injustice.

Historical Context and Reign

Jeroboam II ascended to the throne following the death of his father, Jehoash. His reign is detailed in 2 Kings 14:23-29. The biblical account highlights that Jeroboam II reigned for forty-one years in Samaria. Under his leadership, Israel regained territories that had been lost to neighboring nations. This expansion is attributed to the LORD's compassion for Israel, as He saw the affliction of His people and used Jeroboam II to deliver them. The Bible states:

"He restored the border of Israel from Lebo-hamath to the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word of the LORD, the God of Israel, which He spoke through His servant Jonah son of Amittai, the prophet from Gath-hepher." (2 Kings 14:25)

Jeroboam II's military campaigns were successful, and he was able to restore the boundaries of Israel to their former extent, as they were during the reign of Solomon. This period of expansion and prosperity, however, did not translate into spiritual renewal or reform.

Religious and Social Climate

Despite his political and military achievements, Jeroboam II's reign was characterized by spiritual apostasy. The king continued in the sins of Jeroboam I, the son of Nebat, who had led Israel into idolatry by establishing golden calves at Bethel and Dan. The Bible notes:

"He did evil in the sight of the LORD and did not turn away from all the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit." (2 Kings 14:24)

The era of Jeroboam II was marked by a superficial religiosity that masked deep-seated corruption and social injustice. The prophets Amos and Hosea, who were contemporaries of Jeroboam II, spoke out against the moral and spiritual decay of the nation. Amos, in particular, condemned the exploitation of the poor and the perversion of justice, while Hosea lamented the people's unfaithfulness to God.

Prophetic Voices

The prophetic ministry during Jeroboam II's reign was significant. Jonah, Amos, and Hosea were active during this time, each delivering messages that called Israel to repentance and warned of impending judgment if the nation did not turn back to God.

Amos, a shepherd from Tekoa, was sent by God to prophesy against the northern kingdom. He denounced the opulence and complacency of the wealthy, who lived in luxury while neglecting the needs of the poor. Amos declared:

"But let justice roll on like a river, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream." (Amos 5:24)

Hosea's message was one of love and redemption, using his own marriage as a metaphor for God's relationship with Israel. Despite Israel's unfaithfulness, God remained committed to His covenant, longing for His people to return to Him.

Legacy

Jeroboam II's reign ended with his death, and he was succeeded by his son Zechariah. While his rule brought temporary prosperity and territorial gains, the spiritual and moral decline during his reign set the stage for the eventual downfall of the northern kingdom. The prophetic voices of Amos and Hosea serve as enduring reminders of the need for true repentance and faithfulness to God.2 Kings 14:16,23
And Jehoash slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel; and Jeroboam his son reigned in his stead.
Nave's Topical Index

Hazael Makes an Expedition against the People of Israel and the ...
... to Adad his son, with whom Joash, king of Israel ... had taken from the kingdom of Israel,
which came ... in Samaria, and the government devolved on his son Jeroboam. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 hazael makes an.htm

Book 9 Footnotes
... hired of this Joash, the king of Israel, as if ... copies, he was at first a wicked king,
and afterwards ... to have been true also concerning his son Jeroboam II., viz ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 9 footnotes.htm

Appendices
... Ahaziah 852 Revolt of Mesha of Moab 851 Joram 850 Jehu 842 He pays tribute to Assyria
841 Jehoanaz 814 Jehoash 798 Jeroboam II ... 5. was king of Israel, and he ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/appendices.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... The title of his book (Hosea 1:1), where he begins by stating that he preached
"in the days of Jeroboam, the son of Joash (Jehoash), King of Israel," is a ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

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