2 Kings 3:3

KJV

Nevertheless he cleaved unto the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom.

KJV (with Strong's)

Nevertheless he cleaved {H1692} unto the sins {H2403} of Jeroboam {H3379} the son {H1121} of Nebat {H5028}, which made Israel {H3478} to sin {H2398}; he departed {H5493} not therefrom.

Complete Jewish Bible

Nevertheless, he clung to the sins of Yarov'am the son of N'vat, with which he had led Isra'el into sin; he never turned away from them.

Berean Standard Bible

Nevertheless, he clung to the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit; he did not turn away from them.

American Standard Version

Nevertheless he cleaved unto the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, wherewith he made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 3:3 profoundly encapsulates the spiritual compromise of King Jehoram of Israel. Despite initiating a significant reform by removing the pillar of Baal, Jehoram persistently adhered to the deeply entrenched idolatry established by Jeroboam I—the worship of golden calves at Bethel and Dan. This verse critically highlights a recurring pattern of partial obedience and spiritual syncretism that plagued the Northern Kingdom's leadership, demonstrating how ingrained apostasy continued to corrupt the nation's spiritual and covenantal fidelity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the introduction of Jehoram's reign in [2 Kings 3:1](/2_kings/3-1 "2 Kings 3:1 - Jehoram's Accession"), noting his ascension to the throne in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah. Crucially, [2 Kings 3:2](/2_kings/3-2 "2 Kings 3:2 - Jehoram's Partial Reform") states that Jehoram "did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, though not like his father and mother, for he put away the pillar of Baal that his father had made." This indicates a notable, albeit limited, departure from the extreme Baal worship promoted by his parents, Ahab and Jezebel, who had led Israel into unprecedented depths of idolatry. Verse 3 then clarifies the nature of his continued evil: while he removed the more egregious foreign idol, he "cleaved unto the sins of Jeroboam," revealing that his reform was incomplete and his heart was not fully turned to the Lord. This sets the stage for the subsequent narrative, which often portrays kings of Israel as failing to eradicate the root of idolatry, ultimately contributing to the kingdom's downfall.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat" refer to the establishment of golden calves at the northern and southern borders of the Northern Kingdom, specifically at Bethel and Dan, by Jeroboam I after the division of the united monarchy ([1 Kings 12:28-30](/1_kings/12-28 "1 Kings 12:28-30 - Jeroboam's Idolatrous Innovation")). This act was a politically motivated attempt to prevent the ten northern tribes from returning to Jerusalem for worship, thereby securing his control and preventing their allegiance from shifting back to the Davidic dynasty in Judah. While Jeroboam likely intended these calves to represent Yahweh, the God of Israel, their use constituted a grave violation of the second commandment against idolatry and the exclusive worship of God in Jerusalem. This became the defining sin of the Northern Kingdom, a deeply entrenched state-sponsored religion that every subsequent king, including Jehoram, inherited and perpetuated, making it incredibly difficult to eradicate. It represented a fundamental breach of the Mosaic covenant and a persistent spiritual cancer.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the Books of Kings. First, it underscores the **pervasive nature of idolatry** in Israel, particularly the deep-seated "sin of Jeroboam" which became the benchmark for the Northern Kingdom's spiritual failure. This persistent apostasy, rooted in political expediency, became the default religious practice for generations. Second, it highlights the **profound influence of leadership**; Jeroboam's initial political maneuver had devastating spiritual consequences that "made Israel to sin," demonstrating how the choices of kings profoundly shaped the nation's spiritual trajectory for generations ([1 Kings 15:34](/1_kings/15-34 "1 Kings 15:34 - Baasha's Continued Sin") and [1 Kings 16:26](/1_kings/16-26 "1 Kings 16:26 - Omri's Walk in Jeroboam's Ways") are examples of kings following this path). Third, Jehoram's actions exemplify the danger of **partial obedience versus full devotion**. His removal of Baal was commendable, yet his retention of the golden calves revealed a lack of complete commitment to the Lord, illustrating that true repentance requires a comprehensive turning away from all forms of disobedience and compromise. This continuous cycle of sin and judgment ultimately led to the downfall of the Northern Kingdom, as seen in [2 Kings 17:7-23](/2_kings/17-7-23 "2 Kings 17:7-23 - Israel's Exile Due to Sin").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **cleaved (Hebrew, _dâbaq'_):** The Hebrew verb `dabaq` (דבק) signifies a strong, persistent attachment, to cling, stick fast, or be joined to something. It is used elsewhere to describe a man "cleaving" to his wife in marriage ([Genesis 2:24](/genesis/2-24 "Genesis 2:24 - Man and Woman Cleave Together")), emphasizing an inseparable bond. Here, its application to Jehoram's adherence to sin underscores that his commitment was not passive or accidental but a deep-seated, intentional, and stubborn refusal to fully abandon the idolatrous practices. It suggests a profound spiritual affinity with these sins, rather than a mere tolerance, indicating a fundamental alignment of his will with this apostasy.
* **sins (Hebrew, _chaṭṭâʼâh'_):** The Hebrew noun `chaṭṭâʼâh` (חַטָּאת) refers to an offense, sinfulness (sometimes habitual), and its associated penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation. In this context, it denotes the specific acts of rebellion and idolatry initiated by Jeroboam I—primarily the establishment of the golden calves and the alternative worship system. This term highlights not just isolated transgressions but a systemic, ingrained pattern of disobedience that became the defining spiritual failure of the Northern Kingdom, leading to its eventual judgment.
* **departed (Hebrew, _çûwr'_):** The Hebrew verb `çûwr` (סוּר) means to turn off, remove, or withdraw. When used with "not therefrom," as in this verse, it emphasizes Jehoram's unwavering refusal to turn away from the sins of Jeroboam. It signifies a lack of genuine repentance and a stubborn persistence in the established idolatrous practices. This word underscores the deliberate and unyielding nature of his spiritual compromise, revealing a heart that, despite some outward reform, remained fundamentally unwilling to fully align with God's commands.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Nevertheless he cleaved unto the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat":** This clause initiates a powerful contrast with the preceding verse, where Jehoram removed the pillar of Baal. The "nevertheless" acts as a strong adversative, highlighting that despite a commendable reform, Jehoram maintained a deep, intentional, and stubborn adherence to the foundational idolatry of the Northern Kingdom. This demonstrates that his partial obedience was insufficient; he remained fundamentally aligned with a system that defied God's covenant and the exclusive worship demanded by the Lord.
* **"which made Israel to sin":** This phrase emphasizes the corporate and generational impact of leadership. Jeroboam's original act of establishing the golden calves was not merely a personal transgression but a systemic corruption that led the entire nation astray. His "sins" became the national standard for worship, perpetually leading the people away from exclusive devotion to Yahweh and into idolatry, thereby incurring divine judgment and establishing a pattern of widespread apostasy.
* **"he departed not therefrom":** This concluding statement reinforces the stubborn and unyielding nature of Jehoram's adherence to these sins. It signifies a lack of true repentance and a refusal to make a complete break from the established, yet corrupt, religious practices. This persistent clinging to the "sins of Jeroboam" underscores the deep spiritual malaise that characterized the Northern Kingdom's leadership and its people, revealing a fundamental unwillingness to fully submit to God's will.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Contrast** is immediately evident in the conjunction "Nevertheless," setting Jehoram's partial reform (removing Baal) against his persistent adherence to the more fundamental "sins of Jeroboam." This highlights the inadequacy of his actions and the depth of Israel's spiritual problem. **Repetition** of the phrase "sins of Jeroboam" throughout the Books of Kings serves as a recurring motif, a theological shorthand that immediately signals the spiritual failure of the Northern Kingdom's rulers and the systemic nature of their apostasy. This phrase functions almost as a **leitmotif**, constantly reminding the reader of the foundational error that plagued Israel. There is also a subtle **irony** in Jehoram, the son of the most notorious Baal-worshippers, removing Baal, yet failing to address the *original* and arguably more insidious form of idolatry that had become institutionalized. This verse also serves as a form of **foreshadowing**, hinting at the eventual downfall of the Northern Kingdom due to its unrepentant idolatry and persistent spiritual compromise.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The unwavering adherence of Jehoram to the "sins of Jeroboam" presents a profound theological challenge regarding the nature of true repentance and undivided devotion. It illustrates that partial obedience, while perhaps appearing commendable in some aspects, is ultimately insufficient in the eyes of a holy God who demands exclusive worship and a whole heart. The establishment of the golden calves, though perhaps intended by Jeroboam as symbols of Yahweh, fundamentally violated the second commandment and redirected worship away from God's prescribed place and manner. This syncretism, a mixing of true worship with pagan or man-made elements, became a deeply entrenched spiritual cancer in Israel, demonstrating how easily political expediency can lead to profound theological compromise. The verse underscores that God desires not just the absence of egregious evils, but the presence of complete and unwavering fidelity, a lesson echoed throughout scripture concerning the covenant relationship and the call to love God with all one's being.

* [1 Kings 12:28-30](/1_kings/12-28 "1 Kings 12:28-30 - Jeroboam's Establishment of Golden Calves")
* [Deuteronomy 6:5](/deuteronomy/6-5 "Deuteronomy 6:5 - The Command to Love God with All Your Being")
* [Matthew 6:24](/matthew/6-24 "Matthew 6:24 - No One Can Serve Two Masters")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jehoram's story serves as a potent warning against spiritual compromise and the insidious nature of "acceptable" sins. We, like Jehoram, may be quick to discard the most obvious or egregious forms of idolatry or sin in our lives, yet subtly cling to other, perhaps more culturally ingrained or personally convenient, "golden calves." These might be anything that subtly diverts our ultimate allegiance from God: a pursuit of comfort, security, reputation, or even religious traditions that have lost their spiritual vitality and become substitutes for genuine, heartfelt worship. The call of God is not for partial reform but for radical transformation and complete devotion. This verse challenges us to honestly examine our own hearts and lives, identifying any areas where we might be "cleaving" to practices, attitudes, or affections that, while perhaps not overtly evil, prevent us from offering our full and undivided selves to the Lord. True faith demands a comprehensive turning away from all that competes with God's rightful place on the throne of our lives, embracing the liberating truth that God desires our whole heart, not just a portion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be practicing "partial obedience," removing some sins but clinging to others that subtly divert my devotion from God?**
* **What are the "golden calves" in my contemporary context—cultural norms, personal comforts, or even religious practices—that might subtly substitute for or distract from genuine worship of the Lord?**
* **How do the choices of leaders, both in the church and in society, continue to impact the spiritual trajectory of communities and nations today?**
* **What does it truly mean to "depart not therefrom" when it comes to sin, and what steps can I take to ensure I am fully turning away from all forms of disobedience?**

### FAQ
**What were "the sins of Jeroboam" that Jehoram cleaved to?**

Answer: "The sins of Jeroboam" refer primarily to the establishment of two golden calves as alternative objects of worship at Bethel and Dan, located at the southern and northern extremities of the Northern Kingdom of Israel ([1 Kings 12:28-30](/1_kings/12-28 "1 Kings 12:28-30 - Jeroboam's Idolatry")). This act was a political maneuver by Jeroboam I to prevent his subjects from making pilgrimages to Jerusalem, which was the capital of the rival Southern Kingdom of Judah. In addition to the calves, these "sins" included the appointment of non-Levitical priests and the institution of new feast days, all designed to create a religious system independent of the divinely ordained worship in Jerusalem. This became the foundational idolatry of the Northern Kingdom, leading generations astray and becoming the benchmark for the spiritual failure of subsequent kings.

**Why is Jehoram condemned if he removed Baal worship, which was a major evil?**

Answer: Jehoram's removal of the pillar of Baal ([2 Kings 3:2](/2_kings/3-2 "2 Kings 3:2 - Jehoram Removes Baal's Pillar")) was indeed a significant and commendable step, distinguishing him from his notoriously idolatrous parents, Ahab and Jezebel. However, his condemnation in [2 Kings 3:3](/2_kings/3-3 "2 Kings 3:3 - Jehoram's Persistent Sin") stems from his failure to abandon the "sins of Jeroboam." This highlights a crucial theological point: partial obedience is not full obedience. While Baal worship was a foreign import and an overt affront to Yahweh, the golden calves represented a more insidious form of syncretism—an attempt to worship Yahweh through forbidden images and in unauthorized ways. Jehoram's failure to dismantle this deeply rooted, state-sponsored idolatry demonstrated a lack of complete commitment to the Lord and a fundamental spiritual compromise, indicating that his heart was not fully devoted.

**What is the significance of the phrase "cleaved unto" in this verse?**

Answer: The Hebrew verb `dabaq` (דבק), translated as "cleaved unto," signifies a strong, persistent, and almost inseparable attachment. It implies more than just passive acceptance or tolerance; it suggests an active, intentional, and stubborn adherence. This is the same word used to describe a man "cleaving" to his wife in marriage ([Genesis 2:24](/genesis/2-24 "Genesis 2:24 - Man and Woman Cleave Together")), emphasizing a profound bond. Its use here highlights the deep-rooted nature of Jehoram's commitment to the sins of Jeroboam, indicating that despite some reforms, his heart was not fully turned away from this fundamental apostasy. He was deeply and persistently joined to these practices, demonstrating an unwillingness to fully relinquish control or to submit entirely to God's exclusive claim on his worship.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Jehoram's partial obedience and persistent clinging to the "sins of Jeroboam" powerfully illuminates humanity's inherent inability to fully turn from sin and achieve perfect righteousness through self-effort. Jehoram's failure to completely abandon idolatry, despite some positive reforms, underscores the deep-seated nature of sin that permeates the human heart, a condition that no mere human king or set of laws could ultimately remedy. This persistent spiritual compromise points forward to the absolute necessity of Christ. Unlike Jehoram, who "departed not therefrom" the sins of Jeroboam, Jesus Christ perfectly fulfilled the Law and offered complete obedience to God, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). He is the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, not partially, but wholly ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ provides the complete cleansing and new heart that the Old Covenant system, with its cycles of partial obedience and failure, could never achieve ([Hebrews 10:1-18](/hebrews/10-1 "Hebrews 10:1-18 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). In Christ, believers are not merely reformed but made new creations, empowered by the Holy Spirit to truly "depart therefrom" sin and offer undivided worship to God, something impossible under the old covenant's limitations ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ") and [Romans 8:3-4](/romans/8-3 "Romans 8:3-4 - The Law Fulfilled in Christ")). He alone breaks the power of sin's "cleaving" grip and enables genuine, wholehearted devotion, leading us into a covenant relationship marked by true fidelity and complete transformation.

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

1 Kings 14:16

And he shall give Israel up because of the sins of Jeroboam, who did sin, and who made Israel to sin.

2 Kings 15:18

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

1 Kings 13:33

After this thing Jeroboam returned not from his evil way, but made again of the lowest of the people priests of the high places: whosoever would, he consecrated him, and he became [one] of the priests of the high places.

1 Kings 15:34

And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin wherewith he 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.

1 Kings 12:26

And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David:

1 Kings 12:33

So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Bethel the fifteenth day of the eighth month, [even] in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast unto the children of Israel: and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense.