and even Judah did not keep the commandments of the LORD their GodThis phrase highlights the spiritual decline of Judah, despite being the southern kingdom that retained the Davidic line and the temple in Jerusalem. Historically, Judah had moments of reform under kings like Hezekiah and Josiah, but overall, they failed to maintain consistent obedience to God's commandments. This disobedience is significant because Judah had the temple, the priesthood, and the law more readily accessible than the northern kingdom of Israel. The phrase underscores the universal nature of sin and the failure of even the more "faithful" kingdom to uphold God's standards. This failure is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, illustrating the need for a new covenant, as prophesied in
Jeremiah 31:31-34, which would be fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
but lived according to the customs Israel had introduced
This part of the verse indicates that Judah adopted the idolatrous practices and customs that were prevalent in the northern kingdom of Israel. These customs included the worship of Baal and Asherah, as well as the establishment of high places, which were contrary to the worship prescribed by God. The influence of Israel's practices on Judah is a testament to the pervasive nature of sin and the ease with which God's people can be led astray. This adoption of foreign customs is reminiscent of the warnings given inDeuteronomy 12:29-31, where God cautioned against adopting the practices of the nations around them. The phrase serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God's commandments and the dangers of syncretism, which can dilute and corrupt true worship.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JudahThe southern kingdom of the divided Israelite nation, consisting of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. Known for having a few righteous kings, but ultimately fell into idolatry and disobedience.
2.
IsraelThe northern kingdom, consisting of the other ten tribes. Known for its consistent idolatry and rebellion against God, leading to its eventual conquest by Assyria.
3.
The LORD their GodRefers to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, who gave the commandments and laws to His people through Moses.
4.
Commandments of the LORDThe laws and decrees given by God to the Israelites, primarily found in the Torah, which were meant to guide them in righteousness and holiness.
5.
Customs Israel had introducedRefers to the idolatrous practices and pagan worship that the northern kingdom of Israel adopted, which were contrary to God's commandments.
Teaching Points
The Danger of CompromiseJudah's failure to keep God's commandments and their adoption of Israel's customs serve as a warning against compromising with worldly practices that contradict God's Word.
The Importance of ObedienceThis verse underscores the necessity of adhering to God's commandments as a demonstration of faithfulness and love towards Him.
Consequences of IdolatryThe adoption of idolatrous customs led to spiritual decline and eventual judgment, reminding believers of the destructive nature of idolatry in any form.
Learning from HistoryThe history of Israel and Judah serves as a lesson for contemporary believers to remain vigilant in their faith and avoid the pitfalls of past generations.
God's Call to RepentanceDespite Judah's failure, God's desire for repentance and restoration remains, offering hope and a path back to Him for those who turn from their ways.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 2 Kings 17:19?
2.How does 2 Kings 17:19 highlight Judah's failure to obey God's commands?
3.What lessons can we learn from Judah's actions in 2 Kings 17:19?
4.How does Judah's behavior compare to Israel's in 2 Kings 17:19?
5.What scriptural connections show the consequences of disobedience like in 2 Kings 17:19?
6.How can we ensure our actions align with God's commands today?
7.Why did Judah not keep the commandments of the LORD in 2 Kings 17:19?
8.How does 2 Kings 17:19 reflect on the faithfulness of God's chosen people?
9.What historical evidence supports the events described in 2 Kings 17:19?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 17?
11.Are there any contradictions between 2 Chronicles 19 and parallel accounts in Kings regarding Jehoshaphat's reign and reforms?
12.When was 2 Kings written?
13.Hosea 4:15: How can God hold the people responsible for following Judah’s sins if their fates are ultimately under His control?
14.2 Kings 13:1-9 - Is there extrabiblical or archaeological evidence that confirms Jehoahaz's reign, or does the absence of such data cast doubt on the historicity of this passage?What Does 2 Kings 17:19 Mean
And even Judah• The phrase signals surprise: the southern kingdom, home to Jerusalem’s temple, was expected to do better, yet “even Judah” followed the same ruinous path as Israel (cf.2 Kings 17:18;Jeremiah 3:8–10).
• God’s earlier patience with Judah (2 Kings 8:19) shows His covenant faithfulness, but that patience had limits when unrepentant sin persisted.
• Judah’s kings often mixed truth with error—e.g., Rehoboam tolerated high places (1 Kings 14:22–24), and Ahaz copied pagan altars (2 Kings 16:10–16)—preparing the nation for this verdict.
Did not keep the commandments• “Commandments” points back to the clear stipulations of the Mosaic Law (Deuteronomy 5:7–21).
• Disobedience was not ignorance but willful rejection, despite repeated prophetic warnings (2 Chronicles 36:15–16;Micah 3:1–4).
• God’s covenant spelled out consequences for such defiance (Deuteronomy 28:15–68;1 Kings 9:6–9).
Of the LORD their God• The covenant name “LORD” (YHWH) stresses personal relationship; Judah sinned against the very God who had redeemed them (Exodus 20:2).
• By calling Him “their God,” the text underscores accountability: privilege heightens responsibility (Amos 3:2).
• Judah’s lapse was therefore spiritual adultery (Hosea 1:2;Ezekiel 16:32), not merely a political misstep.
But lived according to• The phrase shifts from duty (“keep”) to lifestyle (“lived”); sin became the everyday norm (Psalm 1:1).
• Imitation replaced revelation—culture dictated behavior instead of God’s Word (Romans 12:2).
• Such gradual conformity often feels harmless yet leads to wholesale compromise (Proverbs 14:12).
The customs Israel had introduced• “Customs” refers to the idolatrous innovations of the northern kingdom—golden calves at Bethel and Dan, syncretistic festivals, priesthoods of convenience (1 Kings 12:28–33;2 Kings 17:8).
• Judah absorbed these practices through alliance, intermarriage, and admiration for Israel’s apparent success (2 Chronicles 21:6; 23:16–17).
• The result blurred any visible distinction between the people of God and surrounding nations (2 Kings 21:2;Jeremiah 2:11).
summary2 Kings 17:19 teaches that covenant privilege offers no automatic protection: when Judah adopted Israel’s idolatrous customs, it forfeited blessing just as Israel had. The verse warns that partial obedience and cultural imitation erode wholehearted devotion, reminding God’s people in every era to measure life by Scripture, not by the surrounding culture.
(19)
Also Judah kept not. . .--Judah was no real or permanent exception to the sins and punishment of Israel; she imitated the apostasy of her sister-kingdom, and was visited with a similar penalty.
The statutes of Israel which they made.--See Note on2Kings 17:8supra, and comp.Micah 6:16, "the statutes of Omri." According to2Kings 8:27;2Kings 16:3, Ahaziah and Ahaz especially favoured the idolatry practised in the northern kingdom. The example of her more powerful neighbour exercised a fatally powerful spell upon Judah.
Verse 19. -
Also Judah kept not the commandments of the Lord their God. The sharp contrast which the writer has drawn between Israel and Judah in ver. 18 reminds him that the difference was only for a time. Judah followed in Israel's sins, and ultimately shared in her punishment. This verso and the next are parenthetic.
But walked in the statutes of Israel which they made;
i.e. followed Israel in all her evil courses, first in her Baal-worship, under Jehoram, Ahaziah, and Athaliah; then in her other malpractices under Ahaz (
2 Kings 16:3, 4), Manasseh (
2 Kings 21:2-9), and Amen (
2 Kings 21:20-22). Of course, the calf-worship is excepted, Judah having no temptation to follow Israel in that.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
and evenגַּם־(gam-)Conjunction
Strong's 1571:Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, andJudahיְהוּדָ֕ה(yə·hū·ḏāh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063:Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelitesdid notלֹ֣א(lō)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, nokeepשָׁמַ֔ר(šā·mar)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8104:To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend tothe commandmentsמִצְוֺ֖ת(miṣ·wōṯ)Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 4687:Commandmentof the LORDיְהוָ֣ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israeltheir God,אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֑ם(’ĕ·lō·hê·hem)Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlativebut livedוַיֵּ֣לְכ֔וּ(way·yê·lə·ḵū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1980:To go, come, walkaccording to the customsבְּחֻקּ֥וֹת(bə·ḥuq·qō·wṯ)Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 2708:Something prescribed, an enactment, statuteIsraelיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל(yiś·rā·’êl)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478:Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his deschad introduced.עָשֽׂוּ׃(‘ā·śū)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 6213:To do, make
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OT History: 2 Kings 17:19 Also Judah didn't keep the commandments (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) 
