And Jehoash slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel; and Jeroboam his son reigned in his stead.

2 KINGS 14:16KJV
Know the Bible

2 Kings 14:16 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 14:16 mean?

2 Kings 14:16 records the death of Jehoash, king of Israel, noting that he was buried in Samaria with the other kings of Israel, and that his son Jeroboam became king after him. This verse marks a transition of power from Jehoash to his son Jeroboam.

The verse is part of a historical account, likely written by a later compiler, summarizing the end of Jehoash’s reign. It follows the common biblical pattern of describing a king’s death, burial location, and succession. The mention of Samaria as the burial place highlights its role as the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 14:16

  • "slept" (שָׁכַב, shakav): This word is often used in the Hebrew Bible as a respectful way to say someone died, especially kings, connecting death with joining ancestors.
  • "fathers" (אָב, av): Refers to ancestors, not just immediate parents, emphasizing Jehoash’s place in the ongoing story of Israel’s kings.
  • "buried" (קָבַר, qavar): The act of burial in Samaria shows Jehoash’s status and the tradition of royal burials in the capital city.
  • "reigned" (מָלַךְ, malakh): Indicates Jeroboam took over as king, marking a new phase in Israel’s history.

Why 2 Kings 14:16 matters

  • This verse clarifies the line of succession in Israel’s monarchy, showing that Jeroboam became king after Jehoash’s death.
  • The burial in Samaria underlines the city’s importance as the political and spiritual center for the northern kingdom.
  • It connects to the broader narrative by setting up the reign of Jeroboam II, who would become one of Israel’s most significant kings.

Where else these words appear

“Jehoash” Hebrew H3060 · used in 16 verses

  • 2 Kings 11:21 Seven years old was Jehoash when he began to reign.
  • 2 Kings 12:7 Then king Jehoash called for Jehoiada the priest, and the other priests, and said unto them, Why repair ye not the breaches of the house? now therefore receive no more money of your acquaintance, but deliver it for the breaches of the house.
  • 2 Kings 14:9 And Jehoash the king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trode down the thistle.

“Jeroboam” Hebrew H3379 · used in 95 verses

  • 1 Kings 11:26 And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon's servant, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow woman, even he lifted up his hand against the king.
  • 1 Kings 14:30 And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their days.
  • 2 Kings 15:8 In the thirty and eighth year of Azariah king of Judah did Zachariah the son of Jeroboam reign over Israel in Samaria six months.

“Samaria” Hebrew H8111 · used in 101 verses

  • 1 Kings 13:32 For the saying which he cried by the word of the LORD against the altar in Bethel, and against all the houses of the high places which are in the cities of Samaria, shall surely come to pass.
  • 2 Kings 10:36 And the time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty and eight years.
  • 2 Chronicles 28:9 But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name was Oded: and he went out before the host that came to Samaria, and said unto them, Behold, because the LORD God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up unto heaven.

“buried” Hebrew H6912 · used in 122 verses

  • Genesis 15:15 And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.
  • Judges 16:31 Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the buryingplace of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years.
  • 2 Kings 15:7 So Azariah slept with his fathers; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.