And he did evil in the sight of the LORDThis phrase indicates a moral and spiritual evaluation from God's perspective, emphasizing divine judgment rather than human opinion. The "evil" refers to actions contrary to God's commandments, often involving idolatry and injustice. The phrase "in the sight of the LORD" underscores God's omniscience and the accountability of leaders to divine standards. This evaluation is a recurring theme in the books of Kings, highlighting the spiritual decline of Israel and Judah.
and did not turn away from the sins
This suggests a continuation and persistence in sinful behavior, indicating a lack of repentance or reform. The concept of "turning away" is significant in biblical theology, often associated with repentance and returning to God. The failure to turn away from sin reflects a hardened heart and a rejection of God's call to righteousness. This phrase also implies a missed opportunity for redemption and change.
that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit
Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel, is infamous for establishing idol worship, specifically the golden calves at Bethel and Dan (1 Kings 12:28-30). His actions set a precedent for idolatry that plagued Israel throughout its history. The phrase highlights the enduring influence of Jeroboam's sin, which became a benchmark for evaluating subsequent kings. This reference serves as a reminder of the long-lasting impact of leadership decisions and the importance of faithfulness to God.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
PekahiahThe king of Israel mentioned in this verse, who continued in the sinful practices of his predecessors.
2.
Jeroboam son of NebatThe first king of the northern kingdom of Israel, known for leading Israel into idolatry.
3.
IsraelThe northern kingdom, distinct from Judah, often led astray by its kings into idolatry and sin.
4.
The LORDThe God of Israel, whose standards and commandments were ignored by Pekahiah.
5.
The Sins of JeroboamRefers to the idolatrous practices initiated by Jeroboam, including the worship of golden calves.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of LeadershipLeaders have a profound impact on the spiritual direction of their people. Pekahiah's failure to turn from sin led Israel further away from God.
The Danger of IdolatryIdolatry is a recurring sin in Israel's history, demonstrating the human tendency to replace God with false idols. Believers today must guard against modern forms of idolatry.
Generational SinThe sins of Jeroboam had long-lasting effects, influencing successive generations. This highlights the importance of breaking cycles of sin in our own lives.
God's Perspective on SinThe phrase "in the sight of the LORD" reminds us that God sees and judges sin, regardless of human justification or cultural norms.
Repentance and RenewalUnlike Pekahiah, believers are called to repentance and renewal, turning away from sin and towards God's righteousness.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 2 Kings 15:24?
2.How did Menahem's actions in 2 Kings 15:24 displease the Lord?
3.What are the consequences of following "the sins of Jeroboam" today?
4.How can we avoid repeating the sins mentioned in 2 Kings 15:24?
5.What other biblical leaders fell into similar patterns of sin?
6.How does 2 Kings 15:24 encourage us to pursue righteousness in leadership?
7.Why did King Pekahiah continue the sins of Jeroboam in 2 Kings 15:24?
8.How does 2 Kings 15:24 reflect on the leadership qualities of Israel's kings?
9.What does 2 Kings 15:24 reveal about the spiritual state of Israel at that time?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 15?
11.2 Kings 15:1 begins Azariah's reign in Jeroboam II's 27th year, yet surrounding passages suggest conflicting dates--how can these discrepancies be resolved?
12.In what year of King Asa's reign did Baasha, King of Israel die? Twenty-sixth year (I Kings 15:33 - 16:8) Still alive in the thirty-sixth year (2 Chronicles 16:1)
13.Why does God kill people for taking a census (2 Samuel 24:1-15)?
14.2 Chronicles 13 compared with 1 Kings 15:3 - Why does Abijah appear more faithful in Chronicles than in Kings, and what might explain this seeming discrepancy?What Does 2 Kings 15:24 Mean
And he did evil• “Evil” here is not a vague label; the narrator is giving a moral evaluation that aligns with God’s absolute standard (Isaiah 5:20;Romans 3:23).
• The king in view—Pekahiah of Israel—chose actions that directly violated God’s covenant requirements (Deuteronomy 12:29-32).
• This phrase reminds us that outward success or political stability never cancels out moral responsibility. Like Saul before him (1 Samuel 15:24-26), Pekahiah’s reign is summed up in one damning sentence because character, not circumstance, defines a life before God.
in the sight of the LORD• The king’s deeds took place “in the sight of the LORD,” underscoring divine omniscience (Proverbs 15:3;Hebrews 4:13).
• Public opinion in Samaria may have been mixed, but heaven’s verdict was settled. Similar language is used of Judah’s kings (e.g.,2 Kings 21:6), showing that the northern and southern kingdoms were judged by the same ruler of heaven and earth.
• This phrase also warns every reader that no action is hidden; God observes national policy and personal choices alike (Psalm 33:13-15).
and did not turn away• “Turning” is the Old Testament picture of repentance (Ezekiel 18:30-32;Acts 3:19). Pekahiah refused the course correction his predecessors ignored as well (2 Kings 14:24).
• God’s patience had given Israel repeated opportunities—through prophets like Amos and Hosea—to change direction (Amos 4:6-11;Hosea 14:1-2). Pekahiah’s refusal shows deliberate persistence, not mere ignorance.
• The line also highlights that repentance is more than regret; it is an about-face that Pekahiah never made, echoing warnings Jesus later issued about fruitless lives (Luke 13:3-5).
from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit• Jeroboam I introduced golden-calf worship at Bethel and Dan (1 Kings 12:28-30). Every northern king after him, except none, walked that same idolatrous path.
• By clinging to Jeroboam’s precedent, Pekahiah reinforced national apostasy, leading future generations deeper into judgment (2 Kings 17:21-23).
• Idolatry always spreads; leaders who tolerate it “cause Israel to commit” sin, not merely engage privately (Matthew 18:6).
• The verse therefore pinpoints the root problem: institutionalized false worship that looked convenient and patriotic but contradicted God’s explicit command to worship only in Jerusalem (Deuteronomy 12:5-7).
summaryPekahiah’s reign is etched in Scripture with a single verdict: he practiced evil, lived under God’s watchful eye, refused to repent, and perpetuated Jeroboam’s idolatry. The verse teaches that God evaluates rulers and individuals by His unchanging standard, sees every deed, demands genuine repentance, and judges the ripple effects of tolerated sin.
Verse 24. -
In the fiftieth year of Azariah King of Judah; really in the thirty-seventh year (see the comment on vers. 1, 8, and 27). Azariah is mentioned by Tiglath-pileser as contending with him in the year in which he took tribute from Menahem ('Eponym Canon,' pp. 117-120), which is thought to have been
B.C. 738. Apparently, he too was forced to pay tribute (ibid., pp. 117, 118, lines 2, 3) to the Assyrian monarch.
Pekahiah the son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned two years. So Josephus (
l.s.c.).
2 Kings 15:24Verse 24. -And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. Josephus adds that he reigned with the same cruelty as his father (τῇ τοῦ κατακολουθήσαςὠμότητι), but 'we cannot be sure that this is more than a conjecture, founded on the shortness of his reign.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
And he did
וַיַּ֥עַשׂ(way·ya·‘aś)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213:To do, make
evil
הָרַ֖ע(hā·ra‘)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7451:Bad, evil
in the sight
בְּעֵינֵ֣י(bə·‘ê·nê)
Preposition-b | Noun - cdc
Strong's 5869:An eye, a fountain
of the LORD
יְהוָ֑ה(Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel
and did not
לֹ֣א(lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, no
turn away
סָ֗ר(sār)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5493:To turn aside
from the sins that
מֵֽחַטֹּאות֙(mê·ḥaṭ·ṭō·wṯ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 2403:An offence, its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, expiation, an offender
Jeroboam
יָרָבְעָ֣ם(yā·rā·ḇə·‘ām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3379:Jeroboam -- 'the people increase', the name of two Israelites kings
son
בֶּן־(ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121:A son
of Nebat
נְבָ֔ט(nə·ḇāṭ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5028:Nebat -- father of Jeroboam
had caused Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃(yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478:Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc
to commit.
הֶחֱטִ֖יא(he·ḥĕ·ṭî)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2398:To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn
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OT History: 2 Kings 15:24 He did that which was evil (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
