2 Kings 13: Jehoahaz son of Jehu

Verse 2: He did evil in the eyes of the LORD by following the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit, and he did not turn away from them.

Verse 11: He did evil in the eyes of the LORD and did not turn away from any of the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit; he continued in them.

◇ Chapter 13 tells the story of two kings of the northern kingdom of Israel: Jehoahaz son of Jehu and his son Joash. They reigned for 17 and 16 years, respectively. The author of Kings records that both kings did evil in the eyes of the LORD. They followed the ways of Jeroboam son of Nebat, erecting and worshiping idols. In the capital of the northern kingdom, Samaria, they even set up an Asherah pole and worshiped it.

The person mentioned in the stories of these two kings is Jeroboam son of Nebat. He led Israel into sin. His name is mentioned so frequently as an example of evil that the phrase "following the ways of Jeroboam son of Nebat" became a common refrain whenever the kings of the northern kingdom were described as doing evil.

It is indeed a tragic name. To be used as a byword for evil, what a sad legacy! Jeroboam was the man who became the first king of the northern kingdom according to God's prophecy. God even promised to establish a dynasty for him as enduring as the one he had established for David (1 Kings 11:31-38). However, he set up golden calves in Dan and Bethel, calling them the gods who had brought them out of Egypt (1 Kings 12:28-30). Jeroboam made a way for the people of Israel to turn away from the LORD and to worship idols.

What kind of path are we laying out for others? A path of goodness or of evil? How do we wish to be remembered for the path we have shown?

♧ Lord, lead us in the way that is good and righteous. Help us to be examples for our descendants! Holy Spirit, guide us in truth!