2 Kings 17:19

Also Judah kept not the commandments of the LORD their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made.

Also Judah {H3063} kept {H8104} not the commandments {H4687} of the LORD {H3068} their God {H430}, but walked {H3212} in the statutes {H2708} of Israel {H3478} which they made {H6213}.

(However, neither did Y'hudah obey the mitzvot of ADONAI their God; rather they lived according to the customs of Isra'el.)

and even Judah did not keep the commandments of the LORD their God, but lived according to the customs Israel had introduced.

Also Judah kept not the commandments of Jehovah their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made.

Commentary

2 Kings 17:19 serves as a stark commentary on the spiritual decline of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, even as the Northern Kingdom of Israel faced its ultimate judgment.

Context

This verse appears immediately after a detailed account of the Assyrian conquest of Samaria and the exile of the Northern Kingdom of Israel (often simply called "Israel" in the Bible), a punishment for their persistent idolatry and rejection of God's covenant. The narrative in 2 Kings 17:7-18 meticulously outlines the reasons for Israel's downfall, emphasizing their abandonment of the LORD's commandments and their adoption of pagan practices. Verse 19 then pivots, pointing out that Judah, despite witnessing the devastating consequences of their brethren's actions, did not learn from their mistakes. This foreshadows Judah's own eventual exile to Babylon, which would occur later.

Key Themes

  • Disobedience to God's Covenant: The core message is Judah's failure to adhere to the divine laws given to them through Moses. Their refusal to "kept not the commandments of the LORD their God" highlights a deliberate turning away from the foundational principles of their relationship with God, established at Mount Sinai.
  • Influence of Idolatry and False Worship: Judah "walked in the statutes of Israel which they made." This refers to the apostate religious practices instituted by the Northern Kingdom, particularly the worship of golden calves and other idolatrous rituals initiated by King Jeroboam I and continued by successive kings. Judah, instead of maintaining pure worship in Jerusalem, adopted these corrupt forms, leading them astray.
  • Lack of Learning from History: Despite the clear object lesson provided by the Northern Kingdom's destruction, Judah stubbornly followed a similar path of spiritual rebellion. This illustrates a recurring biblical theme: the consequences of ignoring God's warnings and the patterns of sin.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "statutes of Israel which they made" underscores the human origin of these religious practices, contrasting them sharply with the "commandments of the LORD their God," which are divine in origin. The Hebrew word for "statutes" (chuqqot) can refer to decrees or ordinances, but here it denotes human-made laws that directly contradicted God's revealed will.

Practical Application

2 Kings 17:19 serves as a timeless warning for all believers. It reminds us of the dangers of:

  • Spiritual Complacency: We must not assume that witnessing others' failures exempts us from similar temptations or consequences.
  • Adopting Worldly Standards: Just as Judah adopted the "statutes of Israel," we can be tempted to conform to cultural norms or popular opinions that contradict God's clear word. The call is to be transformed by the renewing of our minds rather than conforming to the world.
  • The Importance of Obedience: True faith is demonstrated through obedience to God's commandments, not merely through ritual or outward show. This verse underscores the enduring truth that obedience is better than sacrifice.
This verse urges us to diligently guard our hearts, remain faithful to God's Word, and learn from the historical examples of both faithfulness and failure.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 16:3

    But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yea, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel.

  • 1 Kings 14:22

    And Judah did evil in the sight of the LORD, and they provoked him to jealousy with their sins which they had committed, above all that their fathers had done.

  • 1 Kings 14:23

    For they also built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree.

  • Ezekiel 16:51

    Neither hath Samaria committed half of thy sins; but thou hast multiplied thine abominations more than they, and hast justified thy sisters in all thine abominations which thou hast done.

  • Ezekiel 16:52

    Thou also, which hast judged thy sisters, bear thine own shame for thy sins that thou hast committed more abominable than they: they are more righteous than thou: yea, be thou confounded also, and bear thy shame, in that thou hast justified thy sisters.

  • 2 Chronicles 21:11

    Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled Judah [thereto].

  • Jeremiah 3:8

    And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.