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.

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

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

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

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

Commentary

2 Kings 14:24 provides a succinct spiritual assessment of King Jeroboam II, who reigned over the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Despite his notable military and economic achievements detailed elsewhere in this chapter, this verse delivers a stark verdict on his spiritual standing before God, highlighting a pervasive problem in Israel's history.

Context

This verse refers to King Jeroboam II, the son of Jehoash, who ruled Israel from Samaria for 41 years (2 Kings 14:23). His reign was a period of significant territorial expansion and prosperity for the Northern Kingdom, fulfilling prophecies made through the prophet Jonah (2 Kings 14:25). However, despite this worldly success, his spiritual conduct was deeply flawed. The phrase "he departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat" is a recurring condemnation applied to many kings of Israel. It refers to the original Jeroboam I, who, upon the division of the kingdom, established golden calves at Bethel and Dan to prevent his people from worshipping in Jerusalem, thereby leading Israel into idolatry (see 1 Kings 12:28-30). This foundational sin became the standard by which subsequent Israelite kings were judged, and Jeroboam II continued this pattern of disobedience.

Key Themes

  • Persistent Idolatry and Disobedience: The verse vividly portrays the entrenched nature of spiritual rebellion in the Northern Kingdom. Even during a time of national strength, Jeroboam II continued the idolatrous practices that defined the "sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat." This illustrates a deep-seated spiritual complacency and failure to return to exclusive worship of the LORD.
  • Divine Judgment and Displeasure: The declaration that "he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD" is a profound theological statement. It emphasizes that God's perspective on human actions, particularly those of leaders, is paramount. Regardless of political or economic success, actions contrary to God's covenant and His holiness incur His displeasure.
  • The Corrupting Influence of Leadership: By perpetuating the idolatry established by Jeroboam I, Jeroboam II continued to "make Israel to sin." This highlights the immense responsibility of those in authority to lead their people in righteousness, and the devastating impact when leaders instead guide them into spiritual error.

Linguistic Insights

The recurring phrase "evil in the sight of the LORD" (Hebrew: ra' b'eyney Yahweh) is a standard theological judgment in the Old Testament, indicating behavior that is offensive and unacceptable to God, violating His covenant commands. The specific reference to "the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat" became a shorthand for the calf worship and associated idolatry that characterized the spiritual apostasy of the Northern Kingdom, a direct violation of the first two commandments against having other gods and making carved images (Exodus 20:3-5).

Practical Application

The commentary on 2 Kings 14:24 offers timeless lessons for contemporary believers:

  • Beyond Outward Success: This verse reminds us that true success is measured not by worldly achievements but by faithfulness to God. Prosperity or status do not inherently signify divine approval if one's heart and actions are not aligned with God's will.
  • Breaking Generational Sins: The persistence of Jeroboam's sins through generations challenges us to examine our own lives and communities for inherited patterns of disobedience or spiritual compromise. We are called to actively turn from such patterns and seek God's grace for true repentance and transformation. The wages of sin remain the same, regardless of how long a sin has been practiced.
  • The Weight of Influence: For those in positions of leadership, whether in family, church, or society, this verse serves as a solemn warning. Our choices and examples have far-reaching spiritual consequences for those we lead, underscoring the vital importance of living a life of integrity and obedience to God.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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 13:6 (3 votes)

    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.)

  • 2 Kings 13:2 (3 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.

  • 2 Kings 13:11 (3 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.

  • Deuteronomy 9:18 (3 votes)

    And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty nights: I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

  • 1 Kings 12:28 (3 votes)

    Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves [of] gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

  • 1 Kings 12:31 (3 votes)

    And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi.

  • Genesis 38:7 (3 votes)

    And Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him.