2 Kings 14:29

KJV

And Jeroboam slept with his fathers, [even] with the kings of Israel; and Zachariah his son reigned in his stead.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Jeroboam {H3379} slept {H7901} with his fathers {H1}, even with the kings {H4428} of Israel {H3478}; and Zachariah {H2148} his son {H1121} reigned {H4427} in his stead.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yarov'am slept with his ancestors the kings of Isra'el, and Z'kharyah took his place as king.

Berean Standard Bible

And Jeroboam rested with his fathers, the kings of Israel. And his son Zechariah reigned in his place.

American Standard Version

And Jeroboam slept with his fathers, even with the kings of Israel; and Zechariah his son reigned in his stead.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse succinctly records the conclusion of King Jeroboam II's exceptionally long and prosperous reign over the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the commencement of his son Zachariah's rule. While seemingly a routine historical notation, it marks a pivotal moment, signifying the end of Israel's last period of significant strength and stability before its rapid and irreversible decline into political chaos and eventual destruction.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the concluding summary of Jeroboam II's reign, a standard formulaic ending found throughout the Books of Kings. Immediately preceding it, [2 Kings 14:23-28](/2_kings/14-23 "2 Kings 14:23-28 - Jeroboam II's Reign") details his impressive 41-year rule, highlighting his military successes in restoring Israel's borders, including Damascus and Hamath, as prophesied by Jonah. Crucially, the text also notes his continued adherence to "the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat," the foundational idolatry of the Northern Kingdom. Following this verse, [2 Kings 15](/2_kings/15 "2 Kings 15 - The Decline of Israel") immediately plunges the reader into a period of intense instability, marked by a rapid succession of short, violent reigns and assassinations, beginning with Zachariah's brief and tragic rule. The contrast between Jeroboam II's long, stable reign and the ensuing chaos underscores the verse's significance as a narrative turning point.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeroboam II reigned during a unique window of opportunity in the ancient Near East. The dominant Assyrian Empire was experiencing a period of internal weakness and reduced external aggression, allowing smaller states like Israel to assert themselves. This geopolitical vacuum enabled Jeroboam II to recover significant territory lost to Aram (Syria) and foster a period of economic prosperity and military strength, making his reign the most powerful and stable for the Northern Kingdom since the division of the monarchy. However, this outward success masked deep internal rot: rampant social injustice, oppression of the poor, moral decay, and pervasive idolatry, particularly the worship of the golden calves at Bethel and Dan, established by [Jeroboam I](/1_kings/12-28 "1 Kings 12:28 - Jeroboam I's Idolatry"). Prophets like Amos and Hosea ministered during this time, vehemently condemning Israel's spiritual apostasy and foretelling the impending judgment and downfall that would swiftly follow Jeroboam II's death.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Books of Kings. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **dynastic succession**, a central concern in ancient monarchies, where the transfer of power from father to son symbolized continuity and legitimacy. However, in the Northern Kingdom, this succession was often tenuous and frequently interrupted by coups, a pattern that would immediately re-emerge after Jeroboam II. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **divine sovereignty over human history**. Despite Jeroboam II's impressive human achievements, the biblical narrative implicitly reminds the reader that God is ultimately in control of the rise and fall of kings and nations, fulfilling His purposes and prophecies. Finally, the verse marks the **end of an era** for the Northern Kingdom. Jeroboam II's death signals the close of its last period of strength, ushering in a rapid acceleration of decline and judgment, ultimately leading to the Assyrian conquest and exile, a consequence of the nation's persistent idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness, as warned by prophets like [Hosea](/hosea/1 "Hosea 1 - Hosea's Prophecy Against Israel") and [Amos](/amos/7 "Amos 7 - Amos's Visions of Judgment").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Slept with his fathers (Hebrew, _shākav 'im 'avotav'_):** This is a common biblical idiom or euphemism for death, particularly used for kings and prominent figures. It signifies a peaceful passing and being gathered to one's ancestors, whether buried in a family tomb or simply joining them in the afterlife. The phrase does not inherently imply spiritual righteousness or salvation; it is used for both faithful kings like [David](/1_kings/2-10 "1 Kings 2:10 - David Sleeps with His Fathers") and wicked kings like [Ahab](/1_kings/22-40 "1 Kings 22:40 - Ahab Sleeps with His Fathers"). In Jeroboam's case, it marks the end of his earthly reign, irrespective of his spiritual standing before God.
* **Kings of Israel (Hebrew, _malchei Yisra'el'_):** This specific designation distinguishes Jeroboam II from the "kings of Judah," emphasizing his place within the lineage of the Northern Kingdom's rulers. This line of kings was notoriously unstable, often marked by assassinations and short reigns, and consistently condemned by the biblical authors for perpetuating the idolatrous worship of golden calves, unlike the (mostly) unbroken Davidic dynasty in Judah.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jeroboam slept with his fathers":** This clause formally records the death of King Jeroboam II. The use of the euphemism "slept with his fathers" conveys the finality of his life and reign, marking the conclusion of a period of significant, albeit flawed, national prosperity and stability. It is a standard historical marker, signaling the end of one monarch's time on the throne.
* **"[even] with the kings of Israel":** This phrase clarifies Jeroboam II's place within the royal lineage of the Northern Kingdom. It indicates that he was buried or otherwise joined the preceding monarchs of Israel, emphasizing his continuity with their historical trajectory and the specific patterns of kingship in the northern state, which tragically included persistent idolatry and political instability.
* **"and Zachariah his son reigned in his stead":** This clause records the immediate succession of Jeroboam II's son, Zachariah, to the throne. This seemingly routine transfer of power, however, proves to be a dramatic turning point. While it signals dynastic continuity, it immediately ushers in a chaotic period for the Northern Kingdom, as [Zachariah's reign](/2_kings/15-8 "2 Kings 15:8 - Zachariah's Brief Reign") was extraordinarily brief and ended violently, setting the stage for Israel's rapid decline.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. The phrase "slept with his fathers" is a classic **euphemism**, softening the stark reality of death while conveying its finality. More broadly, the entire verse utilizes **formulaic language**, a consistent literary pattern found throughout the Books of Kings to mark the end of a king's reign and the beginning of his successor's. This formula provides narrative rhythm, emphasizes the cyclical nature of kingship, and allows for subtle deviations to highlight unusual circumstances. Furthermore, while presented as a simple historical record, the verse subtly employs **foreshadowing**. Jeroboam II's death, though marking the end of a long and prosperous reign, paradoxically ushers in an era of unprecedented instability and rapid decline for the Northern Kingdom. The immediate succession of Zachariah, whose reign would be violently cut short within six months ([2 Kings 15:8-10](/2_kings/15-8 "2 Kings 15:8-10 - Zachariah's Assassination")), serves as a grim harbinger of the chaos and eventual destruction that would engulf Israel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The conclusion of Jeroboam II's reign, despite its outward success, serves as a profound theological statement on the transient nature of human power and the ultimate consequences of spiritual compromise. His long and prosperous rule, achieved through military might and political shrewdness, ultimately could not secure Israel's future because it was built upon a foundation of persistent idolatry and social injustice. The biblical narrative consistently judges Jeroboam II not by his geopolitical achievements but by his failure to turn Israel back to the Lord, continuing the "sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat." This verse, therefore, is not merely a historical record but a theological marker, illustrating that true and lasting security for a nation, or an individual, rests not in human strength or prosperity, but in faithfulness to God's covenant. It underscores God's ultimate sovereignty, demonstrating His control over the rise and fall of nations, even when human leaders seem to be at their zenith.

* [Proverbs 21:30](/proverbs/21-30 "Proverbs 21:30 - No Wisdom Against the Lord")
* [Psalm 146:3-4](/psalms/146-3-4 "Psalm 146:3-4 - Do Not Trust in Princes")
* [Isaiah 40:6-8](/isaiah/40-6-8 "Isaiah 40:6-8 - All Flesh is Grass")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The brief, formulaic record of Jeroboam II's death and Zachariah's succession carries weighty implications for contemporary believers. It serves as a potent reminder that all human achievements, power, and prosperity are ultimately fleeting. Jeroboam II's reign, though outwardly impressive, was spiritually bankrupt, leading to a legacy of decline rather than enduring stability. This challenges us to examine the foundations of our own lives and pursuits. Are we building on the shifting sands of worldly success, or on the unshakeable rock of God's truth and righteousness? The rapid unraveling of Israel after Jeroboam's death underscores the fragility of any institution or life not grounded in faithfulness to God. It calls us to prioritize spiritual integrity over material gain, divine approval over human acclaim, and eternal legacy over temporal achievements. Our true impact and lasting inheritance are found not in what we accumulate or accomplish in this world, but in our devotion to Christ and our contribution to His eternal kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the transient nature of Jeroboam II's reign challenge our own pursuit of worldly success and power?**
* **What lessons can we draw from Israel's rapid decline after a period of prosperity, particularly concerning the dangers of spiritual compromise and idolatry?**
* **In what ways might we be tempted to trust in human leaders or institutions rather than in God's ultimate sovereignty?**

### FAQ
**Was Jeroboam II considered a "good" king by biblical standards?**

Answer: From a purely political and military standpoint, Jeroboam II was arguably the most successful king of the Northern Kingdom after the division, restoring significant territory and bringing about a period of economic prosperity. However, the biblical narrative consistently judges him as an evil king because he perpetuated the idolatrous practices of [Jeroboam I](/1_kings/12-28 "1 Kings 12:28 - Jeroboam I's Golden Calves"), specifically the worship of golden calves at Bethel and Dan. The biblical standard for a "good" king was faithfulness to the Lord and adherence to His covenant, which Jeroboam II conspicuously failed to meet. His reign highlights the stark contrast between worldly success and divine approval.

**What happened to Zachariah, Jeroboam II's son, who succeeded him?**

Answer: Zachariah's reign was remarkably brief and ended tragically. He ruled for only six months before being assassinated by Shallum, fulfilling the prophecy given to Jehu's house that his descendants would reign for four generations ([2 Kings 10:30](/2_kings/10-30 "2 Kings 10:30 - Jehu's Dynasty Prophecy")). His death marked the end of Jehu's dynasty and plunged the Northern Kingdom into a period of extreme instability, characterized by a rapid succession of coups and short reigns, ultimately leading to its final destruction and exile by the Assyrians.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The consistent pattern of human kingship in the Old Testament, exemplified by Jeroboam II's reign, ultimately points to its inherent limitations and failures, thereby foreshadowing the necessity of a perfect, divine King. While Jeroboam II achieved remarkable earthly success, his reign, like all others, ended in death, and his spiritual compromise led to the eventual downfall of his kingdom. This cycle of flawed human leaders, who "slept with their fathers" and left behind legacies tainted by sin and instability, underscores the profound need for a different kind of King—one whose reign is eternal, righteous, and brings true, lasting salvation. Jesus Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of this longing. He is the true [King of Israel](/john/1-49 "John 1:49 - Jesus, King of Israel"), the promised [Son of David](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - Jesus, Son of David"), whose kingdom is not of this world ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - My Kingdom Is Not of This World")) and will never end ([Luke 1:33](/luke/1-33 "Luke 1:33 - His Kingdom Will Have No End")). Unlike earthly kings who succumb to death, Christ conquered death through His resurrection, offering eternal life and a secure, unshakeable reign to all who believe ([1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54-57 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death")). The transient, flawed reign of Jeroboam II serves as a stark backdrop, illuminating the eternal, perfect, and unfailing reign of Christ, who truly takes away the sin of the world and establishes a kingdom of righteousness and peace.

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

2 Kings 15:8

¶ In the thirty and eighth year of Azariah king of Judah did Zachariah the son of Jeroboam reign over Israel in Samaria six months.