◄ 2 Kings 14:29 ►
And Jeroboam rested with his fathers, the kings of Israel. And his son Zechariah reigned in his place.
Study Bible
And Jeroboam rested with his fathers, the kings of Israel.
This phrase indicates the death of Jeroboam II, who was the king of Israel. The expression "rested with his fathers" is a common biblical euphemism for death, suggesting a peaceful passing and burial with ancestors. Jeroboam II's reign was marked by military success and territorial expansion, as recorded in 2 Kings 14:23-28. His rule brought a period of prosperity to Israel, though it was also a time of spiritual decline, as the people continued in the sins of Jeroboam I, who led Israel into idolatry (1 Kings 12:28-30). The mention of "the kings of Israel" places Jeroboam II within the northern kingdom's lineage, distinct from the southern kingdom of Judah. This distinction is crucial in understanding the divided monarchy period in Israel's history, which began after Solomon's reign.

And his son Zechariah reigned in his place.
Zechariah's ascension to the throne marks the continuation of the Jehu dynasty, fulfilling God's promise to Jehu that his descendants would sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation (2 Kings 10:30). Zechariah's reign, however, was short-lived, lasting only six months (2 Kings 15:8). His brief rule was characterized by the same idolatry and moral decline that plagued his predecessors, leading to his assassination by Shallum (2 Kings 15:10). This transition highlights the instability and frequent regime changes in the northern kingdom during this period. Theologically, Zechariah's reign and subsequent assassination underscore the consequences of Israel's persistent disobedience to God, as prophesied by the prophets Hosea and Amos, who ministered during this era.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeroboam II
He was the king of Israel who reigned for 41 years. His reign was marked by military success and territorial expansion, but also by spiritual decline and idolatry.

2. Zechariah
The son of Jeroboam II, who succeeded him as king. His reign was short and marked the end of the Jehu dynasty as prophesied by God.

3. Israel
The northern kingdom, distinct from Judah, often characterized by its departure from the worship of Yahweh and its political instability.

4. Rested with his fathers
A phrase indicating that Jeroboam II died and was buried, joining his ancestors in death.

5. Kings of Israel
Refers to the lineage of rulers over the northern kingdom, often noted for their failure to lead the people in faithful worship of God.
Teaching Points
The Temporary Nature of Earthly Power
Jeroboam's death and the succession of Zechariah remind us that earthly power and dynasties are temporary. Our focus should be on eternal values and God's kingdom.

The Consequences of Spiritual Decline
Despite Jeroboam II's political success, his reign was spiritually bankrupt. This serves as a warning that material success without spiritual integrity leads to downfall.

God's Faithfulness to His Word
The transition from Jeroboam to Zechariah fulfills God's promise to Jehu. This demonstrates God's faithfulness and the certainty of His word, encouraging us to trust in His promises.

Leadership and Legacy
The legacy of Jeroboam II was one of idolatry and spiritual decline. As leaders in our families, communities, or workplaces, we should strive to leave a legacy of faithfulness to God.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the transition of power from Jeroboam II to Zechariah illustrate the temporary nature of human leadership, and how can this perspective influence our daily lives?

2. In what ways can we ensure that our personal success does not lead to spiritual decline, as seen in the reign of Jeroboam II?

3. How does the fulfillment of God's promise to Jehu in the succession of Zechariah encourage us to trust in God's promises today?

4. What lessons can we learn from the spiritual and political climate of Israel during Jeroboam II's reign that apply to our current societal context?

5. Reflect on your own leadership roles. What steps can you take to ensure that your legacy is one of faithfulness to God rather than spiritual compromise?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Kings 15:8-12
This passage details the reign of Zechariah and the fulfillment of God's word to Jehu that his descendants would sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation.

Amos 7:9-11
The prophet Amos prophesied during the reign of Jeroboam II, warning of the impending judgment due to Israel's unfaithfulness.

Hosea 1:4
Hosea's prophecy concerning the end of the house of Jehu, which was fulfilled with the assassination of Zechariah.
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
Fathers, Jeroboam, Jerobo'am, Kings, Lieth, Reign, Reigned, Rest, Rested, Slept, Stead, Succeeded, Zachariah, Zechariah, Zechari'ah
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 14:21-29

     5366   king

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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