KING AFTER KING DID EVIL

PROCLAMATION

 “… Did Zachariah the son of Jeroboam reign over Israel in Samaria six months.  And he did that which was evil in the sight of The Lord, as his fathers had done;  he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.”  2 Kings 15:8-9 (KJV)

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  The human author is unknown although some Bible scholars attribute this book to the prophet Jeremiah.  Azariah the son of Amaziah reigned as king of Judah.  He reigned for fifty-two years and did that which was right in the sight of The Lord but he did not remove the high places which were used for sacrifices to idols.  Azariah was a leper and his son Jotham judged the people, and when he died Jotham followed him as king of Judah. (2 Kings 15:1-7)  Zachariah the son of Jeroboam reigned over Israel in Samaria for six months and he did evil in the sight of The Lord.  Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against Zachariah and slew him and reigned in his stead.  Shallum reigned for one month in Samaria before Menahem the son of Gadi slew him and reigned in his stead. (2 Kings 15:8-17)  Menahem reigned for ten years over Israel in Samaria and he did evil in the sight of The Lord.  He gave Pul the king of Assryia one thousand talents of silver to side with him and confirm him as king.  When Menahem died his son Pekahiah reigned after him for two years and he did evil in the sight of The Lord. (2 Kings 15:18-24)  Pekah the son of Remaliah, a captain of Pekahiah, conspired against him and killed him.  Then Pekah reigned over Israel for twenty years and did evil in the sight of The Lord.  Then Hoshea the son of Elah conspired  against Pekah and slew him and reigned in him place. (2 Kings 15:24-31)  Meanwhile in Judah Jotham the son of Uzziah reigned as king.  He reigned for sixteen years and he did that which was right in the sight of The Lord. 

APPLICATION

If we are going to imitate someone, then we ought to imitate someone who is doing good and doing the right thing.  Ideally, we should pattern our life after Jesus, The Christ.  Instead, we choose some sinful man as our hero and follow his example down the wrong path.  It is better to follow and trust in The Lord than to trust in man. (Psalm 118:8)  The heart of man, including our leaders, is deceitful and desperately wicked. (Jeremiah 17:9)   We don’t know who to trust because our judgment is faulty, our knowledge is limited, and we lack discernment.  That is why we should follow and trust in the Lord God, and not trust our own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)