Topical Encyclopedia The conquest of Syria by Jeroboam II, the king of Israel, is a significant event in the history of the Northern Kingdom, reflecting a period of expansion and prosperity. This event is primarily recorded in the Old Testament, specifically in the books of 2 Kings and Amos.Historical Context Jeroboam II reigned over the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the 8th century BC, approximately from 793 to 753 BC. His reign is noted for its military successes and economic prosperity, which were seen as a divine blessing despite the prevalent idolatry and social injustices of the time. The prophet Jonah, son of Amittai, is mentioned as having prophesied during Jeroboam's reign, indicating a period of divine favor and expansion (2 Kings 14:25). Biblical Account The primary biblical account of Jeroboam's conquest of Syria is found in 2 Kings 14:25-28. The passage highlights Jeroboam's restoration of Israel's borders from Lebo-hamath to the Sea of the Arabah, fulfilling the word of the LORD spoken through His servant Jonah. The text 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 had spoken through His servant Jonah son of Amittai, the prophet from Gath-hepher. For the LORD saw that the affliction of Israel was very bitter; there was no one to help Israel, neither bond nor free. But the LORD had not said He would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, so He saved them by the hand of Jeroboam son of Jehoash." (2 Kings 14:25-27) This passage underscores the divine intervention in Israel's affairs, attributing the military success to God's compassion and covenant faithfulness, despite Israel's spiritual waywardness. Prophetic Insights The prophet Amos, who ministered during the reign of Jeroboam II, provides additional insights into the socio-political and spiritual climate of Israel during this period. Amos 1:3-5 pronounces judgment on Damascus, the capital of Syria, for its transgressions, indicating the moral and spiritual reasons behind the geopolitical shifts: "This is what the LORD says: 'For three transgressions of Damascus, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they threshed Gilead with sledges of iron. So I will send fire upon the house of Hazael to consume the citadels of Ben-hadad. I will break down the gate of Damascus; I will cut off the ruler of the Valley of Aven and the one who wields the scepter in Beth-eden. The people of Aram will be exiled to Kir,' says the LORD." (Amos 1:3-5) Amos's prophecies highlight the divine justice meted out against Syria for its cruelty and aggression, aligning with the historical conquest by Jeroboam as part of God's sovereign plan. Significance The conquest of Syria by Jeroboam II marked a high point in the territorial expansion of the Northern Kingdom, temporarily restoring its borders to those of the Solomonic era. This period of prosperity, however, was not accompanied by spiritual renewal, as the prophets Amos and Hosea later condemned the social injustices and idolatry rampant in Israel. The conquest serves as a reminder of God's mercy and the conditional nature of His blessings, contingent upon the nation's faithfulness to His covenant. Nave's Topical Index 2 Kings 14:25,28He restored the coast of Israel from the entering of Hamath to the sea of the plain, according to the word of the LORD God of Israel, which he spoke by the hand of his servant Jonah, the son of Amittai, the prophet, which was of Gathhepher. Nave's Topical Index Library That Upon the Conquest and Slaughter of vitellius Vespasian ... The Nations of the North-East The Carcass and the Eagles Questions. The Twelve Minor Prophets. The Antiquities of the Jews The Prophet Hosea. The Israelites Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ... Book 15 Footnotes Resources Does Luke's claim that Jesus was born in Bethlehem at the time of Quirinius' census match the historical record? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of Damascus in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What is the significance of Cyprus in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Syria: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Syria: A Saviour Raised up for Israel Against Syria: Abana and Pharpar Rivers of Syria: And It Included Phoenicia Syria: Army of, Miraculously Routed Syria: Asa Sought Aid of, Against Israel Syria: Benhadad King of, Besieged Samaria Syria: Called Aram, from the Son of Shem Syria: Confederates With Nebuchadnezzar Syria: Conquest of by Jeroboam Syria: Conquest of by Tiglath-Pileser, King of Assyria Syria: Damascus the Capital of Syria: David: Dedicated the Spoils of Syria: David: Destroyed a Second Army of Syria: David: Destroyed the Army of, Which Assisted Hadadezer Syria: David: Garrisoned and Made Tributary Syria: David: Obtained Renown by his Victory Over Syria: David: Sent Joab Against the Armies of, Hired by the Ammonites Syria: Death of the King of, and the Cruelty of his Successor Syria: Elijah Anointed Hazael King Over, by Divine Direction Syria: Elisha Predicted to Joash his Three Victories Over Syria: God Smote With Blindness Those Sent Against Elisha by The Syria: Gospel Preached and Many Churches Founded In Syria: Inhabitants of a Commercial People Syria: Inhabitants of a Warlike People Syria: Inhabitants of an Idolatrous People Syria: Inhabitants of Called Syrians Syria: Inhabitants of Called Syrians of Damascus Syria: Inhabitants of Spoke the Syriack Language Syria: Israel Delivered Into the Hands of, for the Sins of Jehoahaz Syria: Israel Followed the Idolatry of Syria: Joined With Israel Against Ahaz and Besieged Jerusalem Syria: Joram King of Israel in Seeking to Recover Ramothgilead From, Syria: Minor Kingdoms Within the Region: And in the Title of Syria: Minor Kingdoms Within the Region: Aram-Rehob, Also Called Beth-Rehob Syria: Minor Kingdoms Within the Region: Aram-Zobah, Also Called, Zobah and Zoba Syria: Minor Kingdoms Within the Region: Damascus Syria: Minor Kingdoms Within the Region: Geshur Syria: Minor Kingdoms Within the Region: Hamath Syria: More Properly the Country Around Damascus Syria: Originally Included Mesopotamia Syria: Paul Goes To, With Letters to Apprehend the Christians Syria: People of, Colonized in Samaria by the King of Assyria Syria: Prophecies Respecting: Burning of Damascus Syria: Prophecies Respecting: Ceasing to be a Kingdom Syria: Prophecies Respecting: Destruction of Its Inhabitants Syria: Prophecies Respecting: Destruction of Rezin King of Syria: Prophecies Respecting: Its Calamities, the Punishments of Its Sins Syria: Prophecies Respecting: Its History in Connection With the Macedonia Empire Syria: Prophecies Respecting: Its Inhabitants to be Captives Syria: Prophecies Respecting: Plundering of Damascus Syria: Prophecies Respecting: Terror and Dismay In, Occasioned by Its Invasion Syria: Retook Elath and Drove out the Jews Syria: Subdued and Governed by the Romans Syria: Subdued and Its Inhabitants Taken Captive by Assyria Syria: The Fame of Jesus Extended Over Syria: The Israelites: At Peace With, for Three Years Syria: The Israelites: Craftily Drawn Into a League With Syria: The Israelites: Defeated By, and Ahab Slain Syria: The Israelites: Encouraged and Assisted by God Overcame a Second Time Syria: The Israelites: Forewarned of Invasion By, at the Return of the Year Syria: The Israelites: Harassed by Frequent Incursions of Syria: The Israelites: Heard the Secrets of, from Elisha Syria: The Israelites: Insignificant Before Syria: The Israelites: Under Ahab Encouraged and Assisted by God, Overcame Syria: The Israelites: Under Ahab Sought to Recover Ramoth-Gilead From Syria: The Roman Province of, Included the Land of Canaan Related Terms |
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