Jeroboam II, the son of Jehoash, was the king of Israel who reigned in Samaria for forty-one years during the 8th century BC. His reign is recorded in the biblical books of 2 Kings and Amos. Jeroboam II is often remembered for his military successes and the prosperity of Israel during his reign, yet he is also noted for his failure to depart from the sins of his namesake, Jeroboam I, the son of Nebat.

Background and Reign

Jeroboam II ascended to the throne following the death of his father, Jehoash. His reign is marked by significant territorial expansion and economic prosperity. Under his leadership, Israel regained control over territories that had been lost to neighboring nations. The biblical account in 2 Kings 14:25 states, "He restored the border of Israel from Lebo-hamath to the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word of the LORD, the God of Israel, which He spoke through His servant Jonah son of Amittai, the prophet from Gath-hepher" .

Despite these achievements, Jeroboam II's reign is characterized by spiritual and moral decline. The prosperity of Israel during his time did not translate into faithfulness to God. Instead, Jeroboam II perpetuated the idolatrous practices established by Jeroboam I, which included the worship of golden calves at Bethel and Dan. This idolatry was a direct violation of the covenantal commandments given to Israel.

The Sins of Jeroboam I

Jeroboam I, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel, had set a precedent of idolatry and false worship. To prevent the people of Israel from returning to Jerusalem to worship, Jeroboam I established alternative centers of worship and introduced the worship of golden calves. This act is described in 1 Kings 12:28-30: "After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves and said to the people, 'It is too much 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 II's Continuation of Sin

Jeroboam II's failure to depart from these sins is explicitly mentioned in 2 Kings 14:24: "And he did evil in the sight of the LORD and did not turn away from all the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit" . This continuation of idolatry and false worship led to a spiritual decline in Israel, despite the outward appearance of success and prosperity.

The prophet Amos, who ministered during the reign of Jeroboam II, delivered messages of impending judgment due to the social injustices and religious corruption prevalent in Israel. Amos 2:6-8 highlights the moral decay: "This is what the LORD says: 'For three transgressions of Israel, even for four, I will not revoke My judgment: because they sell the righteous for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals. They trample the heads of the poor on the dust of the earth and deny justice to the oppressed. Father and son use the same girl and so profane My holy name. They lie down beside every altar on garments taken in pledge. And in the house of their god, they drink wine obtained through fines'" .

Legacy

Jeroboam II's reign, while marked by political and economic achievements, ultimately contributed to the spiritual downfall of Israel. His refusal to depart from the sins of Jeroboam I set a pattern that would lead to the eventual destruction and exile of the northern kingdom. The biblical narrative serves as a reminder of the consequences of idolatry and the importance of faithfulness to God's commandments.2 Kings 14:23,24
In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel began to reign in Samaria, and reigned forty and one years.
Nave's Topical Index

The Twelve Minor Prophets.
... all probability, to the days of Jeroboam II, when Amos ... preserve Zerubbabel from all
the assaults of the wicked. ... to him extends to all faithful rulers whom God ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiii the twelve minor.htm

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
... have desired to see the things that will be seen then, and shall not see them ... The
Lord hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/of antichrist and his ruin .htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... Now therefore let all the wicked men be far from thence (Ezra 6:6): The ... Things are
not good, because they have a being only, but because God gave ... CHAPTER II. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

What is the account of Annas and Caiaphas? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Daniel in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What was the Carolingian Dynasty? What was its influence on church history? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus