Introduction:
Jeroboam II was the thirteenth king of the northern kingdom of Israel, reigning during a period of relative prosperity and expansion. His reign is noted for its military successes and economic growth, though it was also marked by spiritual decline and social injustice. Jeroboam II's account is primarily found in the books of 2 Kings and Amos.

Historical Context:
Jeroboam II was the son of Jehoash (also known as Joash) and belonged to the dynasty of Jehu. He ascended to the throne around 793 BC and reigned for approximately 41 years, making his reign one of the longest in the history of the northern kingdom. His rule coincided with a time when the Assyrian Empire was experiencing a temporary decline, allowing Israel to flourish without external threats.

Military and Economic Achievements:
Jeroboam II is credited with restoring the boundaries of Israel to their former extent, as described in 2 Kings 14:25: "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." This expansion brought economic prosperity and increased trade, contributing to a period of wealth and stability.

Religious and Social Conditions:
Despite the material success of his reign, Jeroboam II's era was characterized by spiritual decay. The worship of Yahweh was neglected, and idolatry was rampant. The prophet Amos, who ministered during this time, condemned the social injustices and religious hypocrisy prevalent in Israel. Amos 6:4-6 highlights the complacency and indulgence of the wealthy, while Amos 5:21-24 calls for justice and righteousness over empty religious rituals.

Prophetic Ministry:
The prophets Amos and Hosea were active during Jeroboam II's reign, delivering messages of impending judgment due to Israel's unfaithfulness. Amos 7:10-11 records a confrontation between Amos and Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, illustrating the tension between the prophetic message and the established religious order. Hosea's prophecies also reflect the spiritual adultery of Israel, using the metaphor of an unfaithful spouse to describe the nation's relationship with God.

Legacy:
Jeroboam II's reign is a study in contrasts: a time of outward success but inward moral and spiritual failure. His leadership brought temporary prosperity, yet it set the stage for the eventual downfall of the northern kingdom. The biblical narrative emphasizes that despite human achievements, true security and blessing come from faithfulness to God.

Biblical References:
· 2 Kings 14:23-29
· Amos 1:1; 6:4-6; 7:10-11
· Hosea 1:1

Jeroboam II's reign serves as a reminder of the importance of aligning national and personal priorities with God's will, highlighting the consequences of neglecting spiritual integrity in favor of material gain.2 Kings 14:23-29
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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The New Garment Bent
... the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel ... his father: and Rehoboam
his son reigned in his ... for building, so common in Eastern kings, and the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the new garment bent.htm

"This Thing is from Me"
... 1 Kings 11:40-43. Solomon sought therefore to kill Jereboam. ... And the time that
Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 42 1896/this thing is from me.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... Instead Of Manasseh; And After Amon Reigned Josiah; He ... CHAPTER 9. How Nebuzaradan
Set Gedaliah Over The Jews That ... CHAPTER 3. How The Kings Of Asia Honored The ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

The Prophet Hosea.
... Menahem reigned ten years at Samaria. ... years (ver.27), and, by his alliance with the
kings of Syria ... gave a survey of what he had prophesied over Judah during ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet hosea.htm

The Jewish Institutions and Laws of Far Higher Antiquity than the ...
... Saul as king, who was the first that bore regal sway over Israel after the ... extends
from the close of the third book of Kings to the ... Then Ochozias reigned a year ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxi the jewish institutions and.htm

Questions.
... 29. Who reigned after Hezekiah? 30. ... 24. What was the great wilfulness of these kings?
25. ... v.19. 6. What change for the better passed over the Jews? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/questions.htm

How Jehu was Anointed King, and Slew Both Joram and Ahaziah; as ...
... and buried there, after he had reigned one year ... had already subdued two very great
kings, they returned ... prophet that his sons should reign over Israel for four ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 how jehu was.htm

City of God
... 33.--That the Times of All Kings and Kingdoms ... on His Forsaking the Chaldeans and
Passing Over into Mesopotamia ... 39.--The Reason Why Jacob Was Also Called Israel. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/

The Historical Books.
... infinite perfections and of his supreme power over the nations ... columns, first the
names of the Persian kings in their ... 1: He was a usurper who reigned less than ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xx the historical books.htm

The Prophet Amos.
... the boundaries of Judah from those of Israel, and, if ... Hebrew: emd] with [Hebrew:
el] 1 Kings 13:1 ... He shall make their habitation desolate over them;" instead of ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet amos.htm

What does it mean that Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the kings of Israel and Judah? | GotQuestions.org

Who was King Joash in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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