2 Kings 13:6

Nevertheless they departed not from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, who made Israel sin, [but] walked therein: and there remained the grove also in Samaria.)

Nevertheless they departed {H5493} not from the sins {H2403} of the house {H1004} of Jeroboam {H3379}, who made Israel {H3478} sin {H2398}, but walked {H1980} therein: and there remained {H5975} the grove {H842} also in Samaria {H8111}.)

Despite that, instead of turning from the sins of the house of Yarov'am, who made Isra'el sin, they continued to live in this sinful way. Moreover, the asherah continued to stand in Shomron.

Nevertheless, they did not turn away from the sins that the house of Jeroboam had caused Israel to commit, but they continued to walk in them. The Asherah pole even remained standing in Samaria.

Nevertheless they departed not from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, wherewith he made Israel to sin, but walked therein: and there remained the Asherah also in Samaria.)

Commentary

2 Kings 13:6 provides a concise, yet powerful, summary of the spiritual state of the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the reign of King Jehoahaz, son of Jehu. Despite periods of distress and divine intervention, the nation consistently failed to fully repent and abandon the idolatrous practices that had become entrenched since the kingdom's inception.

Context

This verse follows a description of Israel's oppression by the Arameans (Syrians) and King Jehoahaz's plea to the Lord, to which God graciously responded by sending a deliverer (implied to be a series of deliverers, like Elisha or later kings). However, even with this divine mercy, the people's heart remained unrepentant. The "sins of the house of Jeroboam" refer specifically to the establishment of golden calves at Bethel and Dan by Jeroboam I, designed to prevent the ten northern tribes from returning to Jerusalem for worship, thereby securing his political reign. This religious innovation was a direct violation of God's law and became the foundational sin that "made Israel sin" for generations. The mention of "the grove also in Samaria" indicates the continued presence of Asherah worship, a Canaanite fertility goddess, often represented by a wooden pole or tree, further intertwining Israel's national identity with pagan practices.

Key Themes

  • Persistent Idolatry: The verse highlights Israel's stubborn adherence to false worship, demonstrating a pattern of spiritual relapse even after experiencing God's deliverance. This cycle of sin and judgment is a recurring motif throughout the books of Kings.
  • The Legacy of Jeroboam's Sin: Jeroboam's initial act of establishing alternative worship centers had a profound and lasting impact, influencing every subsequent king of Israel and leading the entire nation astray. This emphasizes the long-term consequences of spiritual compromise, as seen vividly in 2 Kings 17:21.
  • Spiritual Compromise: The continued presence of "the grove" in Samaria, the capital, signifies a deep-seated spiritual compromise. Israel was willing to seek God's help in times of trouble but unwilling to completely purge the pagan elements from their national worship.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the grove" translates the Hebrew word Asherah (ืึฒืฉึตืืจึธื”). This was not merely a cluster of trees, but a cult object, often a wooden pole or idol, dedicated to the Canaanite goddess Asherah, consort of Baal. Its continued presence in Samaria was a blatant symbol of Israel's syncretistic worship, mixing elements of true Yahweh worship with pagan rites, a practice strictly forbidden by God (e.g., Deuteronomy 12:3). The presence of such an idol in the capital city underscores the pervasive nature of this idolatry, as also seen in 2 Kings 21:7.

Practical Application

For believers today, 2 Kings 13:6 serves as a powerful reminder of the danger of spiritual complacency and inherited sin patterns. It challenges us to:

  • Examine Our Own "Groves": What are the "idols" or spiritual compromises that may remain in our lives or communities, perhaps passed down through tradition, that prevent us from full devotion to God?
  • Seek Complete Repentance: True repentance involves not just asking for forgiveness but actively turning away from sin and removing its symbols or influences.
  • Understand the Impact of Leadership: The verse highlights how the spiritual choices of leaders (like Jeroboam) can have generational consequences, underscoring the importance of godly leadership in all spheres.
  • Guard Against Syncretism: We must be vigilant against mixing biblical truth with worldly philosophies or practices that dilute the purity of our faith.
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Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 16:33 (5 votes)

    And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.

  • 2 Kings 13:2 (4 votes)

    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.

  • Deuteronomy 7:5 (2 votes)

    But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire.

  • Deuteronomy 32:15 (2 votes)

    ยถ But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered [with fatness]; then he forsook God [which] made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.

  • Deuteronomy 32:18 (2 votes)

    Of the Rock [that] begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.

  • 1 Kings 15:3 (2 votes)

    And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father.

  • 2 Kings 23:4 (2 votes)

    ยถ And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the grove, and for all the host of heaven: and he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried the ashes of them unto Bethel.