Throughout the Bible, there are numerous accounts of rulers who not only led their people astray but also engaged in debauchery, corrupting both themselves and the worshipers under their influence. These rulers often turned away from the commandments of God, leading their nations into idolatry and moral decay.

King Jeroboam of Israel

One of the most notorious examples is King Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel after the division of the united monarchy. Jeroboam's actions are recorded in 1 Kings 12:28-30 : "After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves and said to the people, 'It is too much trouble for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.' One calf he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan. And this thing became a sin; the people walked as far as Dan to worship before one of the calves."

Jeroboam's establishment of idol worship led Israel into sin, as he not only created false gods but also appointed non-Levitical priests and instituted festivals that mimicked those ordained by God, thus debauching the true worship of Yahweh.

King Ahab and Queen Jezebel

Another infamous ruler was King Ahab, who, along with his wife Jezebel, promoted the worship of Baal in Israel. 1 Kings 16:30-33 states, "Ahab son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD, more than all who were before him. And as if it were a trivial thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, he married Jezebel, the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and proceeded to serve and worship Baal. First, Ahab set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he had built in Samaria. Then he set up an Asherah pole. Thus Ahab did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel before him."

Ahab and Jezebel's reign was marked by the persecution of the prophets of Yahweh and the promotion of idolatry, leading the people into spiritual and moral corruption.

King Manasseh of Judah

In the southern kingdom of Judah, King Manasseh is another example of a ruler who led his people into debauchery. 2 Kings 21:2-6 describes his reign: "And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, according to the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites. For he rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had destroyed; he erected altars for Baal and made an Asherah pole, as Ahab king of Israel had done. He also bowed down to all the host of heaven and served them. Manasseh even built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, 'In Jerusalem I will put My Name.' In both courtyards of the house of the LORD, he built altars to all the host of heaven. He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger."

Manasseh's actions led Judah into deep idolatry and immorality, defiling the temple and leading the nation away from the worship of the one true God.

The Consequences of Wicked Rulership

The Bible consistently shows that when rulers debauch themselves and their worshipers, it leads to national decline and divine judgment. The prophets often warned these rulers and their people of the impending consequences of their actions, calling them to repentance and a return to the covenant with God. Despite these warnings, many rulers persisted in their wickedness, ultimately leading to their downfall and the suffering of their nations.1 Samuel 2:22
Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did to all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
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