1 Kings 15:26

And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of his father, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin.

And he did {H6213} evil {H7451} in the sight {H5869} of the LORD {H3068}, and walked {H3212} in the way {H1870} of his father {H1}, and in his sin {H2403} wherewith he made Israel {H3478} to sin {H2398}.

He did what was evil from ADONAI's perspective, following the example of his father and the sin through which he had made Isra'el sin.

And he did evil in the sight of the LORD and walked in the way of his father and in his sin, which he had caused Israel to commit.

And he did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, and walked in the way of his father, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin.

Commentary

Context

This verse introduces Nadab, the son and successor of Jeroboam, as king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Jeroboam was the first king of Israel after the division of the united monarchy following Solomon's reign. Jeroboam, fearing that his subjects would return their allegiance to the Davidic dynasty in Judah if they continued to worship at Jerusalem, established alternative worship centers at Dan and Bethel, complete with golden calves (see 1 Kings 12:28-30). This act of idolatry became the defining "sin of Jeroboam" and a foundational transgression for subsequent kings of Israel, setting a pattern of apostasy that Nadab continued.

Key Themes

  • Continuation of a Sinful Legacy: Nadab's reign is immediately condemned because he "walked in the way of his father." This highlights the powerful, often negative, influence of spiritual inheritance and the perpetuation of national sin across generations.
  • Leadership and Corruption: The phrase "made Israel to sin" underscores the profound responsibility of leadership. A king's actions had far-reaching spiritual consequences for the entire nation, leading them away from the true worship of the LORD and into idolatry.
  • Divine Disapproval: The recurring biblical assessment "he did evil in the sight of the LORD" signifies God's direct judgment and disapproval of Nadab's actions and the idolatry he maintained. This moral evaluation is consistent throughout the books of Kings, emphasizing God's standard for His chosen people.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "made Israel to sin" is a powerful condemnation. In Hebrew, it's ื”ึถื—ึฑื˜ึดื™ื ืึถืช ื™ึดืฉึฐื‚ืจึธืึตืœ (hekh'ti et Yisrael), which means to cause, induce, or lead someone to sin, or to make them guilty. It's a stronger indictment than merely sinning oneself; it implies actively causing others to transgress God's law and turn away from Him. This specific phrase becomes a recurring and damning indictment against many kings of Israel throughout the books of Kings, always linking back to Jeroboam's initial transgression and its lasting impact.

Practical Application

This verse offers several enduring lessons for believers today:

  • The Impact of Influence: Our actions, especially those in positions of leadership (whether in family, church, or community), have a ripple effect. We must be mindful of the spiritual legacy we are building and the example we set for others, seeking to guide them toward righteousness rather than away from it.
  • Breaking Cycles of Disobedience: Nadab's continuation of his father's sin illustrates how destructive patterns can be passed down through generations or within communities. This challenges us to identify and actively break cycles of ungodly traditions or behaviors, choosing instead to follow God's commands.
  • Personal Accountability: While Nadab followed his father's path, the verse still holds him personally accountable for his own choices ("he did evil"). We are each responsible before God for our decisions and actions, regardless of our upbringing, environment, or the influence of others. Our call is always to repent and turn to the Lord.
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Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 14:16

    And he shall give Israel up because of the sins of Jeroboam, who did sin, and who made Israel to sin.

  • 1 Kings 15:34

    And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin.

  • 1 Kings 15:30

    Because of the sins of Jeroboam which he sinned, and which he made Israel sin, by his provocation wherewith he provoked the LORD God of Israel to anger.

  • 1 Kings 12:28

    Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves [of] gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

  • 1 Kings 12:33

    So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Bethel the fifteenth day of the eighth month, [even] in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast unto the children of Israel: and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense.

  • 1 Kings 13:33

    After this thing Jeroboam returned not from his evil way, but made again of the lowest of the people priests of the high places: whosoever would, he consecrated him, and he became [one] of the priests of the high places.

  • 1 Kings 13:34

    And this thing became sin unto the house of Jeroboam, even to cut [it] off, and to destroy [it] from off the face of the earth.
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