How did King Menahem's actions reflect "evil in the sight of the LORD"? Context and Key Verse “Menahem son of Gadi became king over Israel, and he reigned ten years in Samaria. He did evil in the sight of the LORD; throughout his reign he did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit.” Snapshot of Menahem’s Rise to Power • Assassinated King Shallum to seize the throne (2 Kings 15:14) • Ruled from Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom • Political insecurity marked the entire northern monarchy cycle, showing the fruit of rejecting the covenant order in Deuteronomy 17:14-20 Patterns of Evil Behind the Verdict 1. Continuing the Golden-Calf Worship • “He did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam” (v. 18) • Jeroboam’s calves at Bethel and Dan (1 Kings 12:28-33) violated Exodus 20:3-5; Deuteronomy 5:7-9 • Menahem upheld that counterfeit system, leading Israel deeper into idolatry rather than restoring true temple worship in Jerusalem 2. Brutal Violence and Shedding Innocent Blood • While capturing Tiphsah, “he attacked the city, ripped open all the pregnant women” (2 Kings 15:16) • Such cruelty mirrors atrocities condemned in Amos 1:13 and Proverbs 6:16-17 • Scripture consistently calls unborn life sacred (Psalm 139:13-16), so Menahem’s act directly opposed the LORD’s heart for the vulnerable 3. Oppressive Economic Exploitation • Faced with the threat of Assyria, “Menahem exacted money from Israel—every wealthy man fifty shekels of silver—to give to the king of Assyria” (2 Kings 15:19-20) • Instead of trusting the LORD (Psalm 20:7; Isaiah 31:1), he relied on a pagan empire and financed the bribe by crushing his own people • Violates Leviticus 25:17 “Do not take advantage of each other” and Proverbs 14:31 “Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker” 4. Politically Motivated Murder • Killed Shallum (2 Kings 15:14) contrary to Genesis 9:6 and the sixth commandment • Hosea 8:4 summarizes such behavior: “They set up kings, but not by Me; they make princes, but without My approval” Spiritual Fallout • No reforms, no repentance, no covenant renewal • The people experienced continued instability, paving the way for the final Assyrian exile (2 Kings 17:6-23) • Galatians 6:7 underscores the principle: “God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap” Lessons Drawn from Menahem’s Example • Idolatry left unchecked always multiplies into violence and oppression • Trust in human alliances over the LORD invites deeper bondage • National leadership that discards God’s law brings collective judgment, just as the prophets warned (Hosea 10:13-15) Summary Menahem earned the epitaph “evil in the sight of the LORD” by perpetuating calf-idolatry, committing extreme violence against the innocent, exploiting his people to purchase foreign protection, and seizing power through murder. Every aspect of his reign contradicted the revealed character and commands of God, confirming the sober verdict recorded in 2 Kings 15:18. |
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