◄ 2 Kings 14:23 ►
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Amaziah son of Joash over Judah, Jeroboam son of Jehoash became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria forty-one years.
Study Bible
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Amaziah son of Joash over Judah
This phrase sets the historical context, indicating a specific time during the divided monarchy period when the kingdoms of Israel and Judah coexisted. Amaziah was the king of Judah, and his reign is detailed in 2 Kings 14:1-20. He was known for his initial obedience to God, but later his pride led to his downfall. The synchronization of reigns between Judah and Israel helps establish a timeline for biblical events. This period was marked by political instability and frequent conflicts between the two kingdoms.

Jeroboam son of Jehoash became king of Israel
Jeroboam II, the son of Jehoash (also known as Joash), ascended to the throne of Israel. He is distinguished from Jeroboam I, the first king of the northern kingdom after the division. Jeroboam II's reign is noted for its military successes and territorial expansion, as recorded in 2 Kings 14:25-28. Despite his achievements, he continued the idolatrous practices of his predecessors, which were condemned by the prophets. His reign is a reminder of the persistent spiritual decline in Israel despite outward prosperity.

and he reigned in Samaria forty-one years
Samaria was the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, established by Omri (1 Kings 16:24). Jeroboam II's long reign of forty-one years was one of the most prosperous periods for Israel, marked by economic growth and relative peace. However, this prosperity was superficial, as the nation continued in idolatry and social injustice, which the prophets Amos and Hosea strongly criticized. The lengthy reign of Jeroboam II highlights the patience of God, who allowed time for repentance despite the nation's persistent sin.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Amaziah
King of Judah, son of Joash. His reign provides a chronological marker for the beginning of Jeroboam II's reign in Israel.

2. Jeroboam II
Son of Jehoash, king of Israel. He reigned for forty-one years in Samaria, and his reign was marked by both military success and spiritual failure.

3. Samaria
The capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, where Jeroboam II reigned. It was a center of political and religious activity.

4. Israel
The Northern Kingdom, distinct from Judah, often characterized by its departure from the worship of Yahweh.

5. Judah
The Southern Kingdom, ruled by Amaziah at the time, often seen as more faithful to God compared to Israel.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Leadership
Despite the unfaithfulness of Israel's kings, God remains sovereign, using even flawed leaders to accomplish His purposes.

The Importance of Faithfulness
Jeroboam II's reign was marked by military success but spiritual failure. True success in God's eyes is measured by faithfulness to Him.

The Role of Prophets
Prophets like Amos and Hosea were active during Jeroboam II's reign, reminding us of the importance of listening to God's messengers and aligning our lives with His Word.

God's Mercy and Patience
Despite Israel's persistent sin, God showed mercy by not allowing their complete destruction, demonstrating His patience and desire for repentance.

Chronological Markers in Scripture
The synchronization of events between Israel and Judah helps us understand the historical context and God's unfolding plan through history.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the reign of Jeroboam II illustrate the tension between political success and spiritual failure? Reflect on areas in your life where you might be experiencing a similar tension.

2. In what ways does God's patience with Israel during Jeroboam II's reign encourage you in your personal walk with God?

3. How can the ministries of prophets like Amos and Hosea during Jeroboam II's reign inspire you to speak truth in your community today?

4. What lessons can we learn from the synchronization of events between Israel and Judah about God's overarching plan in history?

5. How does understanding the historical context of Jeroboam II's reign enhance your reading of other prophetic books like Amos and Hosea?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Kings 14:25-27
These verses provide more context about Jeroboam II's reign, highlighting his military achievements and God's mercy on Israel despite their unfaithfulness.

Amos 7:10-11
The prophet Amos ministered during Jeroboam II's reign, offering a critical perspective on the social injustices and idolatry prevalent in Israel.

Hosea 1:1
Hosea also prophesied during this time, emphasizing Israel's spiritual adultery and calling for repentance.
Sermons
Significant Facts in God's GovernmentD. Thomas 2 Kings 14:1-29
The Reign of Jeroboam IiJ. Orr 2 Kings 14:23-29
People
Ahaziah, Amaziah, Amittai, Azariah, David, Edomites, Hepher, Jehoaddan, Jehoahaz, Jehoash, Jehu, Jeroboam, Joahaz, Joash, Jonah, Nebat, Zachariah, Zechariah
Places
Beth-shemesh, Corner Gate, Damascus, Edom, Elath, Ephraim Gate, Gath-hepher, Hamath, Israel, Jerusalem, Joktheel, Lachish, Lebanon, Lebo-hamath, Samaria, Sea of the Arabah, Sela, Syria, Valley of Salt
Topics
Amaziah, Amazi'ah, Fifteenth, Forty, Forty-one, Jehoash, Jeroboam, Jerobo'am, Joash, Jo'ash, Judah, Reign, Reigned, Rule, Ruling, Samaria, Sama'ria
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 14:21-29

     5366   king

2 Kings 14:23-24

     8739   evil, examples of

Library
The Prophet Amos.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. It will not be necessary to extend our preliminary remarks on the prophet Amos, since on the main point--viz., the circumstances under which he appeared as a prophet--the introduction to the prophecies of Hosea may be regarded as having been written for those of Amos also. For, according to the inscription, they belong to the same period at which Hosea's prophetic ministry began, viz., the latter part of the reign of Jeroboam II., and after Uzziah had ascended the …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

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

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 Bible

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

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire from 745 to 722 B. C.
TIGLATH-PILESER III. AND THE ORGANISATION OF THE ASSYRIAN EMPIRE FROM 745 to 722 B.C. FAILURE OF URARTU AND RE-CONQUEST Of SYRIA--EGYPT AGAIN UNITED UNDER ETHIOPIAN AUSPICES--PIONKHI--THE DOWNFALL OF DAMASCUS, OF BABYLON, AND OF ISRAEL. Assyria and its neighbours at the accession of Tiglath-pileser III.: progress of the Aramaeans in the basin of the Middle Tigris--Urartu and its expansion into the north of Syria--Damascus and Israel--Vengeance of Israel on Damascus--Jeroboam II.--Civilisation …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7

The Girdle of the City. Nehemiah 3
The beginning of the circumference was from 'the sheep-gate.' That, we suppose, was seated on the south part, yet but little removed from that corner, which looks south-east. Within was the pool of Bethesda, famous for healings. Going forward, on the south part, was the tower Meah: and beyond that, "the tower of Hananeel": in the Chaldee paraphrast it is, 'The tower Piccus,' Zechariah 14:10; Piccus, Jeremiah 31:38.--I should suspect that to be, the Hippic tower, were not that placed on the north …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

The Figurative Language of Scripture.
1. When the psalmist says: "The Lord God is a sun and shield" (Psa. 84:11), he means that God is to all his creatures the source of life and blessedness, and their almighty protector; but this meaning he conveys under the figure of a sun and a shield. When, again, the apostle James says that Moses is read in the synagogues every Sabbath-day (Acts 15:21), he signifies the writings of Moses under the figure of his name. In these examples the figure lies in particular words. But it may be embodied …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

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

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