2 Kings 14:25

KJV

He restored the coast of Israel from the entering of Hamath unto the sea of the plain, according to the word of the LORD God of Israel, which he spake by the hand of his servant Jonah, the son of Amittai, the prophet, which [was] of Gathhepher.

KJV (with Strong's)

He restored {H7725} the coast {H1366} of Israel {H3478} from the entering {H935} of Hamath {H2574} unto the sea {H3220} of the plain {H6160}, according to the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} God {H430} of Israel {H3478}, which he spake {H1696} by the hand {H3027} of his servant {H5650} Jonah {H3124}, the son {H1121} of Amittai {H573}, the prophet {H5030}, which was of Gathhepher {H1662}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He recovered the territory of Isra'el between the entrance of Hamat and the sea of the 'Aravah, in keeping with the word of ADONAI the God of Isra'el, which he spoke through his servant Yonah the son of Amitai, the prophet from Gat-Hefer.

Berean Standard Bible

This Jeroboam restored the boundary of Israel from Lebo-hamath to the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word that the LORD, the God of Israel, had spoken through His servant Jonah son of Amittai, the prophet from Gath-hepher.

American Standard Version

He restored the border of Israel from the entrance of Hamath unto the sea of the Arabah, according to the word of Jehovah, the God of Israel, which he spake by his servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet, who was of Gath-hepher.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 14:25 records a remarkable period of territorial resurgence for the Northern Kingdom of Israel under King Jeroboam II. Despite Jeroboam's personal unfaithfulness and adherence to the idolatrous practices of his predecessors, this significant expansion, which saw Israel's borders stretch from the strategic northern pass of Hamath to the southern extent of the Dead Sea, is unequivocally attributed to the sovereign will of the LORD God of Israel. This verse powerfully highlights the precise fulfillment of a prophecy delivered by the prophet Jonah, son of Amittai, thereby underscoring God's unwavering faithfulness to His declared word and His enduring compassion for His covenant people, even in their persistent disobedience and spiritual decline.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This pivotal verse is situated within the account of Jeroboam II's lengthy reign over the Northern Kingdom (approximately 793-753 BC), detailed in [2 Kings 14:23-29](/2_kings/14-23-29 "2 Kings 14:23-29 - Jeroboam II's Reign"). It immediately follows a period of severe national decline and oppression at the hands of the Arameans, as vividly described in [2 Kings 13:3-7](/2_kings/13-3-7 "2 Kings 13:3-7 - Aramean Oppression of Israel"). The narrative explicitly states Jeroboam II's spiritual failings, noting that he "did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD" and "departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat" ([2 Kings 14:24](/2_kings/14-24 "2 Kings 14:24 - Jeroboam II's Idolatry")). This sets up a profound theological tension: how could a wicked king experience such unprecedented national prosperity? Verse 25 provides the divine explanation, attributing the restoration not to the king's merit but to God's word. The subsequent verses further elucidate this paradox, revealing that God granted this relief out of compassion for Israel's severe affliction, as He "saw the affliction of Israel, that it was very bitter" ([2 Kings 14:26](/2_kings/14-26 "2 Kings 14:26 - God's Compassion for Israel")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeroboam II's reign occurred during a strategic window in Near Eastern geopolitics. The powerful Assyrian Empire, which had long threatened the smaller states of the Levant, was experiencing a period of internal weakness and withdrawal, particularly under Adad-nirari III and Shalmaneser IV. This temporary power vacuum allowed regional kingdoms, including Israel and Judah, to regain strength. Specifically, it enabled Jeroboam II to decisively defeat the Arameans (Syrians) of Damascus, who had previously crippled Israel's military and seized significant territory. The "entering of Hamath" (Lebo-Hamath) refers to a key strategic pass in modern-day Lebanon, near the Orontes River, which marked the traditional northern boundary of the promised land. "The sea of the plain" refers to the Dead Sea, indicating the southernmost extent of Israel's influence. Jeroboam's campaigns effectively restored Israel's borders to an extent not seen since the united monarchy under David and Solomon, leading to immense economic prosperity. However, this wealth often fueled social injustice, oppression of the poor, and spiritual complacency, issues vigorously condemned by contemporary prophets like Amos and Hosea, whose ministries largely overlap with Jeroboam II's reign.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several core theological themes woven throughout the books of Kings and the broader Old Testament narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty**, demonstrating that God's overarching purposes and covenant promises are not ultimately contingent upon human faithfulness or the righteousness of a particular king. Even an idolatrous and unrighteous king like Jeroboam II can be an unwitting instrument in God's hands to bring about His predetermined will. Secondly, the explicit mention of Jonah's prophecy being fulfilled highlights the **Reliability and Fulfillment of God's Word**. What God declares through His chosen prophets, whether for judgment or restoration, will inevitably come to pass, often in surprising ways. This underscores the absolute trustworthiness of divine revelation. Finally, the broader context of Jeroboam II's reign, particularly the divine motivation articulated in [2 Kings 14:26-27](/2_kings/14-26-27 "2 Kings 14:26-27 - God's Compassion for Israel's Affliction"), underscores God's **Enduring Compassion and Mercy** for His covenant people. Despite Israel's persistent sin and idolatry, God did not utterly abandon them but provided periods of relief and restoration in response to their severe affliction, not necessarily their repentance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Restored (Hebrew, _shûwb'_):** The verb שׁוּב (_shûwb_) fundamentally means "to turn back," "to return," or "to bring back." In this context, it signifies a dramatic reversal of fortunes, a recovery of lost territory, and a turning back of the tide of decline that had plagued Israel for decades. It implies that the land was not merely conquered anew, but reclaimed, bringing it back to a former state of greatness, reminiscent of the Solomonic empire. This restoration was not a new creation but a re-establishment of previous boundaries and influence.
* **Coast (Hebrew, _gᵉbûwl'_):** The Hebrew word גְּבוּל (_gᵉbûwl_) refers to a "border," "boundary," or "territory." Its usage here emphasizes the comprehensive geographical extent of the recovery. It's not merely a city or a small region, but the entire defined territorial limits of the nation, from its northernmost reach to its southern plain. This indicates a significant and complete re-establishment of national integrity, power, and security, effectively reversing the territorial losses Israel had suffered.
* **By the hand of (Hebrew, _yâd'_):** The phrase בְּיַד (_bĕyad_), literally "in the hand of" (from _yâd_, meaning "hand"), is a common Hebrew idiom indicating agency, means, or instrumentality. When applied to a prophet, as here, it means that the message or action was delivered "through" or "by means of" that individual. It underscores that Jonah was merely the messenger, the instrument through whom God's divine word was conveyed and ultimately fulfilled, highlighting God as the ultimate author and executor of the prophecy, not Jonah's personal power or wisdom.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He restored the coast of Israel from the entering of Hamath unto the sea of the plain":** This clause details the remarkable geographical extent of Jeroboam II's military success and the resulting territorial expansion. "The entering of Hamath" (Lebo-Hamath) was a strategic northern gateway, near the Orontes River, marking the traditional northern boundary of the promised land as outlined in [Numbers 34:8](/numbers/34-8 "Numbers 34:8 - Boundaries of the Promised Land"). "The sea of the plain" refers to the Dead Sea, which formed Israel's southern and eastern border. This indicates a vast territorial expansion, effectively restoring Israel's borders to a size comparable to the united monarchy under King David and Solomon, reversing decades of decline and loss to the Arameans.
* **"according to the word of the LORD God of Israel":** This crucial phrase attributes the success not to Jeroboam's military genius, political acumen, or the strength of his army, but directly to the sovereign will and prophetic declaration of God. It emphasizes that this restoration was part of God's predetermined plan and purpose for His people, underscoring divine orchestration in human affairs, even when executed through an unrighteous king. It highlights God's faithfulness to His own declarations.
* **"which he spake by the hand of his servant Jonah, the son of Amittai, the prophet, which [was] of Gathhepher":** This identifies the specific prophet through whom God's word concerning this restoration was delivered. Jonah, son of Amittai, from Gath-hepher (a town in Galilee, near Nazareth, in the territory of Zebulun), is the same prophet whose dramatic story is told in the [Book of Jonah](/jonah/1 "The Book of Jonah - Jonah's Mission to Nineveh"). This precise detail confirms the fulfillment of a specific, though unrecorded elsewhere in the biblical narrative, prophecy, reinforcing the absolute reliability of God's word and the vital role of prophets as His authoritative spokespersons.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices that enrich its theological impact. **Attribution** is central, as the narrator explicitly attributes Jeroboam's military success not to his own strength or righteousness but "according to the word of the LORD God of Israel." This immediately establishes a theological framework for understanding the events, shifting the focus from human agency to divine sovereignty and purpose. The **Geographical Delimitation** ("from the entering of Hamath unto the sea of the plain") functions as a powerful **Merism**, a figure of speech in which two contrasting parts represent the whole. By specifying the northernmost and southernmost traditional boundaries, the text emphasizes the completeness and grandeur of the territorial restoration, implying the entire traditional land of Israel was reclaimed. Furthermore, the precise identification of Jonah ("the son of Amittai, the prophet, which [was] of Gathhepher") functions as a form of **Authentication** or **Verification**, lending historical credibility and authority to the divine origin of the prophecy and its subsequent fulfillment, grounding the theological claim in concrete, verifiable detail.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates God's sovereign control over history, demonstrating that His plans and purposes will unfold regardless of human faithfulness or merit. The restoration of Israel's territory under Jeroboam II, an unrighteous king who continued in the sins of Jeroboam I, serves as a powerful testament to God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people and His declared word. It reminds us that God can use unlikely instruments to achieve His will, and His compassion often extends beyond what human merit might dictate. This divine intervention, driven by compassion for Israel's severe affliction (as explained in [2 Kings 14:26](/2_kings/14-26 "2 Kings 14:26 - God's Compassion for Israel's Distress")), underscores God's enduring mercy and steadfast love (Hebrew: _hesed_) despite persistent sin and idolatry. It highlights that God's faithfulness is rooted in His character and promises, not in the performance of His people.

* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose")
* [Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "Numbers 23:19 - God is Not a Man That He Should Lie")
* [Romans 9:15-16](/romans/9-15-16 "Romans 9:15-16 - God's Sovereignty in Mercy")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Jeroboam II's reign, particularly [2 Kings 14:25](/2_kings/14-25 "2 Kings 14:25 - Jeroboam II's Restoration of Israel's Borders"), offers profound and enduring lessons for contemporary believers. It challenges our often-human-centric view of success and prosperity, reminding us that true flourishing and restoration ultimately flow from God's sovereign hand, not solely from human effort, political prowess, or even the righteousness of our leaders. In a world that frequently measures progress by visible achievements and human-engineered solutions, this verse redirects our gaze to the unseen, powerful work of God, who faithfully fulfills His word even through imperfect vessels and in unexpected circumstances. It encourages us to cultivate a deeper trust in God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises, even when circumstances seem dire, when leaders fall short, or when our own spiritual walk is less than perfect. Moreover, it highlights God's deep and active compassion for His people, a compassion that extends even to the undeserving, offering hope, relief, and periods of grace in times of affliction. This should inspire us to cultivate a profound reliance on God's grace and to recognize His hand at work in surprising ways, even amidst our own imperfections or societal failings, fostering both humility and hope.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's use of an unrighteous king like Jeroboam II challenge my assumptions about how God works in the world today, particularly through secular leaders or imperfect systems?**
* **In what areas of my life or in the broader society do I need to trust more fully in God's sovereign plan and His compassionate intervention, even when I don't see immediate righteousness or merit in myself or others?**
* **How does the fulfillment of Jonah's prophecy, even without its full recording, strengthen my confidence in the reliability and ultimate triumph of God's word in all circumstances?**

### FAQ
**Was the prophet Jonah mentioned here the same Jonah from the Book of Jonah?**

Answer: Yes, the text explicitly identifies him as "Jonah, the son of Amittai, the prophet, which [was] of Gathhepher." This is indeed the same prophet whose dramatic story of being swallowed by a great fish and preaching repentance to Nineveh is recounted in the [Book of Jonah](/jonah/1 "The Book of Jonah - Jonah's Mission to Nineveh"). This reference in [2 Kings 14:25](/2_kings/14-25 "2 Kings 14:25 - Jeroboam II's Restoration of Israel's Borders") provides an important historical anchor for Jonah's ministry, placing him within the context of the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the reign of Jeroboam II (c. 793-753 BC). It also suggests that Jonah had a prophetic ministry to Israel that extended beyond his well-known mission to Nineveh, although the specific prophecy regarding Jeroboam II's territorial restoration is not recorded elsewhere in the biblical text. This demonstrates that biblical prophets often had multiple messages and ministries, not all of which are fully detailed in the canonical books bearing their names.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Kings 14:25 describes a temporal, earthly restoration of geographical borders under an imperfect and idolatrous king, it profoundly points forward to the ultimate and eternal restoration accomplished through Jesus Christ. Jeroboam's reign, marked by both impressive territorial expansion and continued spiritual unfaithfulness ([2 Kings 14:24](/2_kings/14-24 "2 Kings 14:24 - Jeroboam II's Persistent Idolatry")), highlights the inherent inadequacy of human kings and the profound need for a perfect, righteous deliverer. The "restoration" of the "coast of Israel" under Jeroboam II foreshadows the far greater spiritual restoration and boundless expansion of God's kingdom, a kingdom not confined by geographical borders but encompassing all nations and peoples. Just as God used Jonah, His "servant," to declare a word of physical relief and restoration for Israel, so too did He send His Son, Jesus, as the ultimate Prophet, Priest, and King, to declare and accomplish the comprehensive restoration of humanity to God. Jesus, the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), restores not merely lost territory but lost fellowship with God, breaking the power of sin and death. His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection establish a new and better covenant, fulfilling all prophecies concerning a spiritual kingdom that stretches "from the entering of Hamath unto the sea of the plain" and indeed to the "uttermost part of the earth" ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Great Commission")). Through Christ, the ultimate "servant" of the Lord, God's word of salvation, reconciliation, and eternal life is fully realized, bringing about a restoration far grander, more spiritual, and infinitely more enduring than any earthly king could ever achieve ([Hebrews 9:15](/hebrews/9-15 "Hebrews 9:15 - Christ, the Mediator of a New Covenant")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 3:17

The plain also, and Jordan, and the coast [thereof], from Chinnereth even unto the sea of the plain, [even] the salt sea, under Ashdothpisgah eastward.

1 Kings 8:65

And at that time Solomon held a feast, and all Israel with him, a great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt, before the LORD our God, seven days and seven days, [even] fourteen days.

Jonah 1:1

¶ Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,

Matthew 12:39

But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

Matthew 12:40

For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Joshua 19:13

And from thence passeth on along on the east to Gittahhepher, to Ittahkazin, and goeth out to Remmonmethoar to Neah;

Numbers 13:21

¶ So they went up, and searched the land from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath.