2 Kings 21:22

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And he forsook the LORD God of his fathers, and walked not in the way of the LORD.

Complete Jewish Bible:

He abandoned ADONAI, the God of his ancestors, and did not live in ADONAI's way.

Berean Standard Bible:

He abandoned the LORD, the God of his fathers, and did not walk in the way of the LORD.

American Standard Version:

and he forsook Jehovah, the God of his fathers, and walked not in the way of Jehovah.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And he forsook{H5800} the LORD{H3068} God{H430} of his fathers{H1}, and walked{H1980} not in the way{H1870} of the LORD{H3068}.

Cross-References (KJV):

1 Kings 11:33

  • Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do [that which is] right in mine eyes, and [to keep] my statutes and my judgments, as [did] David his father.

2 Kings 22:17

  • Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched.

1 Chronicles 28:9

  • And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

Jonah 2:8

  • They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.

Deuteronomy 32:15

  • ¶ But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered [with fatness]; then he forsook God [which] made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.

Jeremiah 2:13

  • For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, [and] hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

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Commentary for 2 Kings 21:22

2 Kings 21:22 is a verse that speaks of King Amon, who reigned over Judah after his father Manasseh. The verse succinctly captures a critical turning point in Amon's leadership and the spiritual trajectory of the nation of Judah. It states, "And he forsook the LORD God of his fathers, and walked not in the way of the LORD."

This verse reflects the theme of apostasy, a recurring motif in the historical books of the Old Testament, where leaders and the people of Israel turn away from the worship of Yahweh, the God who had delivered them from Egypt and established a covenant with them. Amon's actions are particularly significant given that his father, Manasseh, had already led the people into deep idolatry and wickedness, even to the point of sacrificing his own sons in the fire and shedding much innocent blood (2 Kings 21:6,16). Despite Manasseh's eventual repentance late in life (2 Chronicles 33:12-13), Amon chose to continue in the ways of idolatry and disobedience rather than following the LORD as his ancestor David had done.

The historical context of this verse is set during a time when the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah were experiencing moral and spiritual decline, which would eventually lead to their downfall. The northern kingdom of Israel had already been taken into captivity by the Assyrians, and Judah was heading towards a similar fate under the reign of morally bankrupt kings. Amon's reign was brief, and his failure to return to the LORD set the stage for the reforms attempted by his son Josiah, who would later discover the Book of the Law and initiate a period of spiritual renewal (2 Kings 22-23).

In summary, 2 Kings 21:22 encapsulates the spiritual failure of King Amon, highlighting the broader theme of apostasy and its consequences in the history of Judah. It underscores the importance of covenant faithfulness and the dire repercussions of forsaking the LORD, themes that resonate throughout the Old Testament narrative.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H5800
    There are 206 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עָזַב
    Transliteration: ʻâzab
    Pronunciation: aw-zab'
    Description: a primitive root; to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc.; commit self, fail, forsake, fortify, help, leave (destitute, off), refuse, [idiom] surely.
  2. Strong's Number: H3068
    There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יְהֹוָה
    Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
    Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
    Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
  3. Strong's Number: H430
    There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
    Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
    Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
    Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.
  4. Strong's Number: H1
    There are 15773 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אָב
    Transliteration: ʼâb
    Pronunciation: awb
    Description: a primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application; chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'.
  5. Strong's Number: H1980
    There are 468 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: הָלַךְ
    Transliteration: hâlak
    Pronunciation: haw-lak'
    Description: akin to יָלַךְ; a primitive root; to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively); (all) along, apace, behave (self), come, (on) continually, be conversant, depart, [phrase] be eased, enter, exercise (self), [phrase] follow, forth, forward, get, go (about, abroad, along, away, forward, on, out, up and down), [phrase] greater, grow, be wont to haunt, lead, march, [idiom] more and more, move (self), needs, on, pass (away), be at the point, quite, run (along), [phrase] send, speedily, spread, still, surely, [phrase] tale-bearer, [phrase] travel(-ler), walk (abroad, on, to and fro, up and down, to places), wander, wax, (way-) faring man, [idiom] be weak, whirl.
  6. Strong's Number: H1870
    There are 627 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: דֶּרֶךְ
    Transliteration: derek
    Pronunciation: deh'-rek
    Description: from דָּרַךְ; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb; along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever).