Jeroboam II’s accession reflects God’s ongoing mercy and Israel’s continued struggle between faith and disobedience.
“And Jehoash slept with his fathers and was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel, and Jeroboam his son became king in his place.” (v.16)
This verse describes the conclusion of King Jehoash’s life and the transition of power to his son Jeroboam. Jehoash (also called Joash) had ruled over the northern kingdom of Israel, and his death here is portrayed with the phrase slept with his fathers, a common Scriptural way of saying he passed away. His burial in Samaria with the kings of Israel places him among those who reigned before him, demonstrating that he carried on the uninterrupted line of rulers in the north. Samaria was founded by King Omri around 885 BC and served as the capital city of the northern kingdom. It sat on a hill purchased by Omri, where he built a grand fortress and palace, making it a significant political and cultural center over many generations.
In the same breath, the text affirms that Jeroboam his son became king in his place (v.16). This successor is historically known as Jeroboam II, who would reign from approximately 793 BC to 753 BC. Though he is said to have achieved notable expansions for Israel, Scripture clarifies that these victories were ultimately granted by the LORD, who regarded Israel’s suffering and showed mercy toward them (2 Kings 14:26-27). Jeroboam II’s rule was marked by both political gains and spiritual decline, as idol worship and injustice continued in the land.
Jehoash’s legacy, culminating in his burial in Samaria, reminds us that even in a kingdom known for ongoing rebellion against God’s covenant, dynasties rose and fell under the LORD’s sovereign oversight. Samaria itself would come to symbolize the spiritual state of the northern kingdom for both better and worse, serving at times as a seat of military power yet also as a center of pagan cults. Jeroboam II’s succession here sets the stage for the continued story of Israel’s kings, illustrating how God’s providential hand often worked in unexpected ways—even amid widespread disobedience—to accomplish His purposes.
Israel transitioned from the era of Jehoash to Jeroboam nearly seamlessly, yet the true challenge ahead would be whether the people would remember the LORD or persist in their own ways.
Set to dark mode
2 Kings 14:16 meaning
“And Jehoash slept with his fathers and was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel, and Jeroboam his son became king in his place.” (v.16)
This verse describes the conclusion of King Jehoash’s life and the transition of power to his son Jeroboam. Jehoash (also called Joash) had ruled over the northern kingdom of Israel, and his death here is portrayed with the phrase slept with his fathers, a common Scriptural way of saying he passed away. His burial in Samaria with the kings of Israel places him among those who reigned before him, demonstrating that he carried on the uninterrupted line of rulers in the north. Samaria was founded by King Omri around 885 BC and served as the capital city of the northern kingdom. It sat on a hill purchased by Omri, where he built a grand fortress and palace, making it a significant political and cultural center over many generations.
In the same breath, the text affirms that Jeroboam his son became king in his place (v.16). This successor is historically known as Jeroboam II, who would reign from approximately 793 BC to 753 BC. Though he is said to have achieved notable expansions for Israel, Scripture clarifies that these victories were ultimately granted by the LORD, who regarded Israel’s suffering and showed mercy toward them (2 Kings 14:26-27). Jeroboam II’s rule was marked by both political gains and spiritual decline, as idol worship and injustice continued in the land.
Jehoash’s legacy, culminating in his burial in Samaria, reminds us that even in a kingdom known for ongoing rebellion against God’s covenant, dynasties rose and fell under the LORD’s sovereign oversight. Samaria itself would come to symbolize the spiritual state of the northern kingdom for both better and worse, serving at times as a seat of military power yet also as a center of pagan cults. Jeroboam II’s succession here sets the stage for the continued story of Israel’s kings, illustrating how God’s providential hand often worked in unexpected ways—even amid widespread disobedience—to accomplish His purposes.
Israel transitioned from the era of Jehoash to Jeroboam nearly seamlessly, yet the true challenge ahead would be whether the people would remember the LORD or persist in their own ways.