2 Kings 13:2

And he did evil in the sight of the LORD and followed the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit; he did not turn away from them.

Study Bible

And he did evil in the sight of the LORD
This phrase indicates a moral and spiritual evaluation from God's perspective, emphasizing that the actions of the king were contrary to God's commandments. In the biblical narrative, "evil in the sight of the LORD" often refers to idolatry and disobedience to God's laws. This phrase is a recurring theme in the books of Kings, highlighting the spiritual decline of Israel and Judah. It serves as a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where obedience brings blessings and disobedience leads to judgment.

and followed the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit;
Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel, established a pattern of idolatry by setting up golden calves in Bethel and Dan (1 Kings 12:28-30). This act was a direct violation of the first two commandments and led Israel into sin. The phrase indicates that the king continued in this idolatrous tradition, perpetuating the spiritual corruption initiated by Jeroboam. This historical context underscores the long-lasting impact of leadership and the difficulty of breaking away from established sinful practices.

he did not turn away from them.
This phrase highlights the king's persistence in sin and refusal to repent. The lack of repentance is a significant theme in the prophetic literature, where prophets often called for a return to the LORD and His commandments. The king's failure to turn away from these sins suggests a hardened heart and a rejection of God's call to righteousness. This refusal to repent is contrasted with the biblical examples of kings like Josiah, who sought to reform and restore true worship (2 Kings 22-23). Theologically, this phrase serves as a warning about the consequences of unrepentant sin and the importance of aligning one's actions with God's will.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Jehoahaz
The king of Israel who reigned after Jehu. He is noted for continuing in the sinful practices initiated by Jeroboam.

2. Jeroboam son of Nebat
The first king of the northern kingdom of Israel, known for leading Israel into idolatry by setting up golden calves in Bethel and Dan.

3. Israel
The northern kingdom, distinct from Judah, often led astray by its kings into idolatry and sin.

4. The LORD
The God of Israel, who judges the actions of the kings and the people according to His covenant and commandments.

5. Idolatry
The worship of idols or false gods, which was a recurring sin in Israel, leading to their downfall.

Teaching Points

The Consequences of Leadership
Leaders have a profound impact on the spiritual direction of their people. Jehoahaz's continuation in Jeroboam's sins shows how leadership can perpetuate sin.

The Danger of Idolatry
Idolatry is a recurring theme in Israel's history, demonstrating the human tendency to replace God with tangible, yet false, objects of worship.

The Importance of Repentance
Jehoahaz's failure to turn away from sin highlights the necessity of repentance in restoring a right relationship with God.

God's Perspective on Sin
The phrase "in the sight of the LORD" reminds us that God sees and judges all actions, calling us to live with integrity and obedience.

Learning from History
The repeated sins of Israel serve as a warning to us today to learn from past mistakes and seek God's guidance in our lives.

Bible Study Questions

1. What can we learn from Jehoahaz's leadership about the influence of leaders on a community's spiritual health?

2. How does the sin of idolatry manifest in modern contexts, and what steps can we take to guard against it?

3. In what ways does the account of Jehoahaz challenge us to examine areas in our lives where we may be following sinful patterns?

4. How does understanding the historical context of Jeroboam's sins help us grasp the seriousness of Jehoahaz's actions?

5. Reflect on a time when you had to make a choice between following a sinful pattern or turning towards God. What did you learn from that experience?

Connections to Other Scriptures

1 Kings 12:28-30
This passage describes Jeroboam's establishment of golden calves, which became a sin for Israel. It provides context for understanding the "sins of Jeroboam" mentioned in 2 Kings 13:2.

Exodus 20:3-4
The Ten Commandments, where God commands against idolatry, highlighting the gravity of Israel's sin.

2 Kings 17:21-23
This passage recounts the consequences of Israel's persistent idolatry, leading to their exile, showing the long-term impact of following Jeroboam's sins.