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.

And he did {H6213} that which was evil {H7451} in the sight {H5869} of the LORD {H3068}, and followed {H3212}{H310} the sins {H2403} of Jeroboam {H3379} the son {H1121} of Nebat {H5028}, which made Israel {H3478} to sin {H2398}; he departed {H5493} not therefrom.

He did what was evil from ADONAI's perspective; he followed the sins of Yarov'am the son of N'vat, who made Isra'el sin; and he never ceased committing those sins.

And he did evil in the sight of the LORD and followed the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit; he did not turn away from them.

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

Commentary

2 Kings 13:2 records the spiritual state of King Jehoahaz of Israel, son of Jehu. It declares that he continued the pattern of disobedience established by previous kings, particularly the foundational sins of Jeroboam I, thereby leading Israel further into spiritual apostasy. The phrase "he departed not therefrom" emphasizes the persistent nature of his rebellion against the LORD.

Context

This verse introduces the reign of Jehoahaz, the third king of the Jehu dynasty in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. His father, Jehu, had been divinely appointed to eradicate the house of Ahab and Baal worship (2 Kings 10:30), yet even Jehu himself failed to fully turn from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat. These sins originated when Jeroboam I, the first king of Israel after the kingdom divided, set up golden calves for worship in Bethel and Dan to prevent his people from returning to Jerusalem (and thus to Judah's king) for religious festivals. This political move became the dominant religious corruption in Israel, persistently leading the nation away from the covenant with the LORD.

Key Themes

  • Persistent Idolatry: The verse highlights the deep-rooted and generational problem of idolatry in the Northern Kingdom. Despite various divine interventions and judgments, successive kings, including Jehoahaz, clung to the false worship initiated by Jeroboam.
  • Spiritual Corruption: Jeroboam's actions were not merely political; they constituted a fundamental spiritual rebellion against God's command for exclusive worship. Jehoahaz's continuation of these practices signifies the ongoing spiritual decay of the nation.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: While not explicitly detailed in this verse, the persistent sin described here directly led to God's judgment and the oppression Israel faced from surrounding nations, as further elaborated in subsequent verses of 2 Kings 13. The phrase "made Israel to sin" underscores the king's responsibility for the nation's spiritual state.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD" is a recurring judgment formula throughout the books of Kings and Chronicles, indicating that the king's actions were morally and spiritually reprehensible from God's divine perspective, not just human standards. The concluding statement, "he departed not therefrom," emphasizes the stubbornness and lack of repentance characteristic of Jehoahaz's reign and, tragically, of many kings of Israel. This phrase points to a deliberate choice to persist in the established pattern of sin, even when the consequences were evident.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of inherited spiritual patterns and the importance of personal accountability. Just as Jehoahaz followed the sins of his predecessors, we too can fall into generational patterns of behavior or belief that are contrary to God's will. It challenges us to:

  • Examine Our Traditions: Are our practices and beliefs rooted in God's truth, or merely in human traditions that may lead us astray?
  • Seek Personal Repentance: Even when surrounded by widespread sin, individuals are called to make a personal choice to turn from evil and follow the LORD. The persistence of sin, as seen in Jehoahaz, demonstrates the need for genuine and continuous repentance.
  • Lead with Integrity: For those in positions of influence, this verse highlights the profound impact one's choices have on others, for good or ill. A leader's spiritual direction can "make others to sin."

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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

  • 1 Kings 12:26 (4 votes)

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

  • 1 Kings 12:33 (4 votes)

    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.

  • 1 Kings 14:16 (3 votes)

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

  • Hosea 5:11 (2 votes)

    Ephraim [is] oppressed [and] broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the commandment.

  • 2 Kings 13:11 (2 votes)

    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 10:29 (2 votes)

    ¶ 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.