2 Kings 15:9

KJV

And he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD, as his fathers had done: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he did {H6213} that which was evil {H7451} in the sight {H5869} of the LORD {H3068}, as his fathers {H1} had done {H6213}: he departed {H5493} not from the sins {H2403} of Jeroboam {H3379} the son {H1121} of Nebat {H5028}, who made Israel {H3478} to sin {H2398}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He did what was evil from ADONAI's perspective, just as his ancestors had done; he did not turn from all the sins of Yarov'am the son of N'vat, who made Isra'el sin.

Berean Standard Bible

And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, as his fathers had done. He did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit.

American Standard Version

And he did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, as his fathers had done: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, wherewith he made Israel to sin.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 15:9 succinctly condemns King Zachariah of Israel, declaring that he "did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD." This damning assessment highlights his adherence to the established pattern of apostasy set by his royal predecessors, specifically emphasizing his failure to depart from "the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin." The verse thus encapsulates the spiritual bankruptcy and persistent idolatry that characterized the Northern Kingdom's leadership, foreshadowing its inevitable decline and judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse appears in 2 Kings 15, a chapter marked by extreme political instability and rapid succession of kings in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, often through assassination. Zachariah's brief six-month reign (2 Kings 15:8) is immediately followed by his murder, fulfilling the prophecy given to Jehu in [2 Kings 10:30](/2_kings/10-30 "2 Kings 10:30 - Jehu's Dynasty Prophecy") that his dynasty would last for four generations. Zachariah is the fourth and final king of Jehu's line, bringing an end to this promised stability. The recurring phrase "he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD" serves as a formulaic theological judgment applied to nearly every king of Israel, underscoring a consistent pattern of covenant unfaithfulness that pervades the narrative of the Northern Kingdom from its inception until its ultimate downfall.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of Zachariah's reign (c. 753 BCE) was one of profound political and spiritual decay for Israel. The Assyrian Empire was rapidly expanding, posing an imminent threat to the smaller nations of the Levant, including Israel. Internally, the kingdom was plagued by regicide and political fragmentation, indicating a severe breakdown of social and moral order. Culturally, the "sins of Jeroboam" refer to the state-sanctioned idolatry introduced by Jeroboam I, who set up golden calves for worship at Bethel and Dan (see [1 Kings 12:28-30](/1_kings/12-28 "1 Kings 12:28-30 - Jeroboam's Golden Calves")). This was a deliberate political maneuver to prevent his subjects from returning to Jerusalem to worship at the Temple, thereby securing his own throne. However, it constituted a direct violation of the First and Second Commandments (cf. [Exodus 20:3-5](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3-5 - The First and Second Commandments")), fundamentally corrupting Israel's worship and leading the people away from the exclusive worship of Yahweh.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the books of Kings. Firstly, **Generational Sin and Apostasy** is evident in the phrase "as his fathers had done," illustrating a persistent, inherited pattern of disobedience that permeated the Israelite monarchy. Each successive king, rather than repenting, continued the spiritual rebellion, highlighting a deep-seated resistance to God's covenant. Secondly, the **Destructive Nature of Idolatry** is central, specifically through the repeated condemnation of "the sins of Jeroboam." This highlights how a foundational act of spiritual compromise can become an entrenched, national sin that ultimately leads to divine judgment and national ruin, as seen in Israel's eventual exile (cf. [2 Kings 17:7-23](/2_kings/17 "2 Kings 17 - Israel's Exile")). Lastly, the theme of **Leadership Accountability** is starkly presented. Jeroboam I "made Israel to sin," underscoring the immense influence and responsibility of national leaders to guide their people in righteousness. The failure of Israel's kings to lead in faithfulness directly contributed to the nation's spiritual decline and its ultimate demise, serving as a powerful warning about the profound impact of those in authority.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Evil (Hebrew, _ra'_):** The term רַע (_ra'_) translated as "evil," carries significant theological weight beyond mere moral wrongdoing. In the context of the books of Kings, "doing evil in the sight of the LORD" primarily signifies a king's failure to uphold the covenant with Yahweh, particularly through engaging in or tolerating idolatry, rather than simply political or military incompetence. It denotes a profound spiritual rebellion and a deliberate turning away from God's revealed will, which was the ultimate standard for evaluating a monarch's reign.
* **Sins of Jeroboam (Hebrew, _ḥaṭṭōʾt yārāḇəʿām_):** This specific phrase, חַטֹּאות יָרָבְעָם (_ḥaṭṭōʾt yārāḇəʿām_), functions as a theological shorthand for the specific idolatrous system established by Jeroboam I: the worship of golden calves at Bethel and Dan. This was not merely one sin among many, but the foundational and persistent sin of the Northern Kingdom, a direct violation of God's command against making graven images and worshipping other gods. Its repeated mention underscores its centrality to Israel's apostasy and the divine judgment against it.
* **Made Israel to sin (Hebrew, _heḥĕṭî ʾeṯ-yiśrāʾēl_):** The causative Hiphil verbal form הֶחֱטִיא (_heḥĕṭî_), "made to sin," highlights the active and influential role of Jeroboam I. It implies that his actions were not merely personal transgressions but had a profound, corrupting effect on the entire nation, leading them into systematic idolatry. This phrase emphasizes the immense responsibility of leadership and the devastating consequences when those in authority lead their people astray from God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD":** This is a standard, formulaic judgment in the books of Kings, indicating a king's spiritual and moral failure from God's perspective. It signifies a profound breach of covenant faithfulness, often centered on idolatry and a disregard for God's laws, rather than merely political or military missteps. This divine evaluation serves as the ultimate assessment of a king's reign.
* **"as his fathers had done":** This clause highlights the generational nature of sin and apostasy within the Northern Kingdom's monarchy. Zachariah did not deviate from the ungodly patterns of his predecessors, indicating a deep-seated spiritual corruption that permeated the royal line and the nation as a whole. It underscores a cycle of disobedience that remained unbroken.
* **"he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat":** This specifies the particular nature of Zachariah's "evil." It wasn't just general wickedness but a continuation of the foundational idolatry introduced by Jeroboam I – the worship of golden calves. This specific reference emphasizes the enduring and pervasive nature of this particular sin, which became the hallmark of Israel's spiritual rebellion and the primary cause of God's judgment against them.
* **"who made Israel to sin":** This final phrase attributes the widespread apostasy of the Northern Kingdom directly to the actions of its first king, Jeroboam I. It underscores the profound and lasting impact of a leader's choices, demonstrating how one individual's sin can set a precedent that corrupts an entire nation and leads generations astray from God's truth.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Formulaic Language** is prominent in "he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD," a recurring phrase that establishes a consistent theological standard for evaluating kings and underscores the divine perspective on their reigns. The **Repetition** of "the sins of Jeroboam" throughout Kings serves as a powerful motif, highlighting the persistent nature of Israel's foundational idolatry and its central role in their spiritual decline. This repetition also functions as a form of **Foreshadowing**, signaling the inevitable judgment and destruction that will befall a nation so deeply entrenched in rebellion. Furthermore, there is an element of **Irony** in the kings' failure; they were meant to be shepherds of God's people, leading them in righteousness, but instead, they "made Israel to sin," actively leading them away from the very God who established them.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The persistent pattern of sin described in 2 Kings 15:9, particularly the adherence to the "sins of Jeroboam," highlights the pervasive nature of idolatry and the profound impact of leadership on a nation's spiritual trajectory. This verse underscores God's unwavering standard of righteousness and His consistent judgment against unfaithfulness, demonstrating that covenant disobedience, especially through idolatry, inevitably leads to divine wrath and societal decay. It speaks to the concept of generational sin, not as an inescapable curse, but as a deeply entrenched pattern of behavior and belief that requires intentional repentance and a radical turning back to God. The failure of Israel's kings to break this cycle ultimately sealed the Northern Kingdom's fate, serving as a sober reminder that true worship and obedience are paramount for individual and national flourishing.

* [Deuteronomy 12:29-32](/deuteronomy/12-29 "Deuteronomy 12:29-32 - Warning Against Idolatry")
* [Jeremiah 3:22](/jeremiah/3-22 "Jeremiah 3:22 - Call to Repentance")
* [Romans 1:21-23](/romans/1-21 "Romans 1:21-23 - The Futility of Idolatry")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
2 Kings 15:9 offers a profound mirror for self-examination and societal critique. It challenges us to consider what "evil in the sight of the LORD" truly means in our own lives and contexts, moving beyond superficial morality to evaluate our deepest loyalties and worship. Are we, like Zachariah, passively continuing in "the sins of Jeroboam"—modern forms of idolatry that divert our devotion from God alone? This could manifest as placing ultimate trust in wealth, power, comfort, or even human ideologies rather than in the Creator. The verse also underscores the immense responsibility of leadership, whether in families, churches, communities, or nations. Those in positions of influence have a profound capacity to "make others sin" or to lead them toward righteousness. We are called to be discerning followers and responsible leaders, actively seeking to break cycles of ungodly patterns, both personally and corporately, by intentionally turning back to God's ways and aligning our lives with His unchanging truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "sins of Jeroboam" in my own life or in my community today, where I might be departing from the exclusive worship of God?**
* **How do my choices, particularly as a leader (in any capacity), influence those around me towards or away from God?**
* **What generational patterns of sin or disobedience do I need to identify and actively seek to break through repentance and reliance on God's grace?**
* **In what ways does my understanding of "evil in the sight of the LORD" align with or differ from God's biblical standard?**

### FAQ

**Why is Jeroboam's sin mentioned so frequently throughout the books of Kings?**

Answer: Jeroboam's sin is mentioned repeatedly because it represents the foundational and enduring spiritual rebellion of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. When the kingdom divided, Jeroboam I, its first king, established golden calves at Bethel and Dan as alternative worship sites to prevent his subjects from returning to Jerusalem for worship (see [1 Kings 12:26-30](/1_kings/12-26 "1 Kings 12:26-30 - Jeroboam's Idolatry at Bethel and Dan")). This was a politically motivated act that constituted a direct violation of the First and Second Commandments, leading the entire nation into idolatry. It became the defining apostasy of the Northern Kingdom, a deep-seated spiritual corruption that no subsequent king managed to eradicate. The consistent mention of "the sins of Jeroboam" serves as a theological indictment, highlighting the persistent unfaithfulness that ultimately led to Israel's downfall and exile, as prophesied and recorded in [2 Kings 17:7-23](/2_kings/17 "2 Kings 17 - The Fall of Israel").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic cycle of sin, failed leadership, and persistent idolatry observed in 2 Kings 15:9, culminating in the demise of the Northern Kingdom, powerfully underscores humanity's desperate need for a perfect King and a new covenant. The kings of Israel, including Zachariah, consistently "did evil in the sight of the LORD" and "made Israel to sin," demonstrating the inherent inability of human leadership to truly redeem or lead a people into lasting righteousness. This narrative points forward to Jesus Christ, the ultimate King who perfectly fulfills God's righteous demands. Unlike the kings of Israel who departed not from sin, Jesus "committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in his mouth" ([1 Peter 2:22](/1_peter/2-22 "1 Peter 2:22 - Christ's Sinlessness")). He is the true Shepherd who does not lead His flock astray but guides them in paths of righteousness ([Psalm 23:3](/psalm/23-3 "Psalm 23:3 - The Lord as Shepherd")). Moreover, where the "sins of Jeroboam" established a system of false worship, Christ, through His sacrifice, established a new covenant, making true worship in spirit and truth possible for all who believe ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23 "John 4:23-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")). He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, breaking the cycle of generational sin and offering forgiveness and new life to all who turn to Him ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). In Christ, the failure of Israel's kings is redeemed, and the promise of a righteous kingdom is finally realized.

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 10:31

But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin.

2 Kings 14:24

And he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.

2 Kings 13:11

And he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD; he departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel sin: [but] he walked therein.

2 Kings 13:2

And he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD, and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom.

2 Kings 10:29

¶ Howbeit [from] the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, Jehu departed not from after them, [to wit], the golden calves that [were] in Bethel, and that [were] in Dan.