2 Kings 15:24 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 15:24 mean?

2 Kings 15:24 means that the king being described did what was wrong in God's eyes, specifically by continuing the same sinful practices started by Jeroboam, which led Israel away from God. The verse highlights that this king did not turn away from these established sins, keeping Israel on a path that displeased the LORD.

In this verse, the writer of 2 Kings is summarizing the reign of a king of Israel, noting his moral and spiritual failure. The "sins of Jeroboam" refers to the idolatry and false worship Jeroboam introduced, which became a pattern for later kings. The verse is part of a repeated formula in Kings, showing how each ruler measured up to God's standards.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 15:24

• "Evil" (רַע, raʿ): This word means something bad, harmful, or morally wrong. Here, it shows that the king's actions were not just mistakes but were seen as seriously wrong by God.
• "Departed" (סוּר, sur): This word means to turn aside or move away from something. The verse uses it to stress that the king did not stop or change direction from the sinful ways set by Jeroboam.
• "Sins" (חַטָּאָה, chatta'ah): This word refers to offenses or failures to meet God's standards. The focus is on repeated, ongoing actions that defined the nation's spiritual life.
• "Sin" (חָטָא, chata): This verb means to miss the mark or to do wrong. Jeroboam "made Israel to sin" by leading the whole nation into practices that went against God's commands.

Why 2 Kings 15:24 matters

• This verse clarifies that the kings of Israel were judged by whether they followed or rejected the sinful path started by Jeroboam, not just by their own actions in isolation.
• It emphasizes that leadership choices had national consequences, as the king's actions influenced the whole nation to continue in sin.
• The verse connects to a larger pattern in 1–2 Kings, where each king's reign is evaluated by their faithfulness to God, helping readers see the spiritual reasons behind Israel's decline.