He refused to break away from Jeroboam's idolatry, bringing ongoing evil to Israel under his rule.
He did evil in the sight of the LORD; he did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel sin, but he walked in them. (v.11)
This verse refers to an unnamed king of Israel—likely Jehoash (also called Joash)—who ruled the northern kingdom around the mid-8th century BC. The northern kingdom of Israel had broken away from the house of David roughly two centuries prior (around 930 BC), following the reign of Solomon, and since then, Jeroboam the son of Nebat (the first king of the northern kingdom) had set up golden calves in Bethel and Dan. Jeroboam's purpose was to prevent his people from crossing into Jerusalem (in Judah) for worship, but in doing so, he caused Israel to sin by turning them away from the covenant worship of the LORD (1 Kings 12:27-30). This pattern of idolatry persisted in the years following, and subsequent kings—like the one here in 2 Kings 13:11—continued in Jeroboam's ways rather than seeking the LORD wholeheartedly. Samaria served as the capital of the northern kingdom. It was situated in the central region of the land, and from there, many of Jeroboam's sinful practices spread throughout Israel. These idolatrous practices, including the worship of false gods and golden calves, were a key reason why 2 Kings describes so many of the northern kings as doing evil in the sight of the LORD.
In saying He did evil in the sight of the LORD, Scripture emphasizes how God judges kings according to their faithfulness (or lack thereof) to His covenant. The text condemns the king’s choice to not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam. Rather than leading the people of Israel in repentance, this ruler walked in them. That phrase conveys a deliberate continuation of the failing spiritual legacy Jeroboam had established. It suggests that, despite witnessing the consequences of idolatry in earlier generations, this king persisted in the same rebellious acts. Even though the LORD repeatedly sent prophets to the northern kingdom calling for repentance, the leadership refused to heed God’s warning (2 Kings 17:13-14). Ultimately, Israel’s continued disobedience precipitated the Assyrian conquest and exile in 722 BC.
This passage sets the stage for the seriousness of idolatry and evil leadership in Israel’s history. It mirrored the broader biblical concept that God’s covenant people have the freedom to obey or disobey His commands—and the choice to reject His ways leads to destruction (Deuteronomy 28:15). Even so, the LORD remained faithful and continued to call them back through His prophets, reflecting His desire that Israel, and later all who belong to Him, walk in faithful devotion. Idolatry is not merely worshiping images; it is placing trust in things or people other than the LORD. In the New Testament, believers are instructed to flee idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:14), a display of continuity in God’s desire for an exclusive, faithful relationship with His people.
Israel’s sin during the reign of this king accelerated the nation toward judgment. Nevertheless, throughout Scripture, we see the LORD’s merciful posture. If at any point the king or the people had turned to God and cast aside the false gods, He would have forgiven them and restored them (2 Chronicles 7:14). Tragically, persistent rebellion brought about inevitable consequences.
All in all, this verse underscores that refusal to repent from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat led to further corruption. Rather than turning toward God, the king stubbornly persisted in false worship. As a result, the people of Israel suffered the repercussions of their disobedience under leadership that did not honor the LORD.
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2 Kings 13:11 meaning
He did evil in the sight of the LORD; he did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel sin, but he walked in them. (v.11)
This verse refers to an unnamed king of Israel—likely Jehoash (also called Joash)—who ruled the northern kingdom around the mid-8th century BC. The northern kingdom of Israel had broken away from the house of David roughly two centuries prior (around 930 BC), following the reign of Solomon, and since then, Jeroboam the son of Nebat (the first king of the northern kingdom) had set up golden calves in Bethel and Dan. Jeroboam's purpose was to prevent his people from crossing into Jerusalem (in Judah) for worship, but in doing so, he caused Israel to sin by turning them away from the covenant worship of the LORD (1 Kings 12:27-30). This pattern of idolatry persisted in the years following, and subsequent kings—like the one here in 2 Kings 13:11—continued in Jeroboam's ways rather than seeking the LORD wholeheartedly. Samaria served as the capital of the northern kingdom. It was situated in the central region of the land, and from there, many of Jeroboam's sinful practices spread throughout Israel. These idolatrous practices, including the worship of false gods and golden calves, were a key reason why 2 Kings describes so many of the northern kings as doing evil in the sight of the LORD.
In saying He did evil in the sight of the LORD, Scripture emphasizes how God judges kings according to their faithfulness (or lack thereof) to His covenant. The text condemns the king’s choice to not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam. Rather than leading the people of Israel in repentance, this ruler walked in them. That phrase conveys a deliberate continuation of the failing spiritual legacy Jeroboam had established. It suggests that, despite witnessing the consequences of idolatry in earlier generations, this king persisted in the same rebellious acts. Even though the LORD repeatedly sent prophets to the northern kingdom calling for repentance, the leadership refused to heed God’s warning (2 Kings 17:13-14). Ultimately, Israel’s continued disobedience precipitated the Assyrian conquest and exile in 722 BC.
This passage sets the stage for the seriousness of idolatry and evil leadership in Israel’s history. It mirrored the broader biblical concept that God’s covenant people have the freedom to obey or disobey His commands—and the choice to reject His ways leads to destruction (Deuteronomy 28:15). Even so, the LORD remained faithful and continued to call them back through His prophets, reflecting His desire that Israel, and later all who belong to Him, walk in faithful devotion. Idolatry is not merely worshiping images; it is placing trust in things or people other than the LORD. In the New Testament, believers are instructed to flee idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:14), a display of continuity in God’s desire for an exclusive, faithful relationship with His people.
Israel’s sin during the reign of this king accelerated the nation toward judgment. Nevertheless, throughout Scripture, we see the LORD’s merciful posture. If at any point the king or the people had turned to God and cast aside the false gods, He would have forgiven them and restored them (2 Chronicles 7:14). Tragically, persistent rebellion brought about inevitable consequences.
All in all, this verse underscores that refusal to repent from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat led to further corruption. Rather than turning toward God, the king stubbornly persisted in false worship. As a result, the people of Israel suffered the repercussions of their disobedience under leadership that did not honor the LORD.