2 Kings 15:28 – “He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. He did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit.”
Extended Explanation
This verse provides a spiritual evaluation of Pekah’s reign as king of Israel. Like many kings before him, Pekah “did evil in the eyes of the Lord,” meaning that his leadership continued in the patterns of disobedience and idolatry that were introduced by Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel. Jeroboam had led Israel into sin by establishing alternative places of worship with golden calves to prevent the people from going to Jerusalem, thus leading the nation into idolatry.
Despite Pekah’s 20-year reign, his leadership is condemned because he did not break from the sinful practices of Jeroboam. The verse highlights that Pekah, like other kings before him, failed to lead Israel back to God, perpetuating the spiritual decline of the nation. His reign may have had political or military significance, but from God’s perspective, it was defined by his failure to follow His commandments.
Historical Context
Pekah’s reign occurred during a time of increasing instability for the northern kingdom of Israel. Assyria was rising as a dominant power in the region, and Israel faced constant threats from external forces. Pekah, attempting to resist Assyrian control, formed alliances with neighboring nations like Aram (Syria) and even waged war against Judah in an attempt to form a stronger front against Assyria.
However, the political and military events of Pekah’s reign were overshadowed by the deeper spiritual crisis in Israel. Since Jeroboam’s time, the nation had been steeped in idolatry, and Pekah continued this tradition by refusing to lead the people back to worshiping the one true God. His failure to abandon Jeroboam’s sins contributed to the further decline of Israel, setting the stage for its eventual destruction and exile at the hands of Assyria.
Theological Implications
Theologically, this verse underscores the importance of spiritual leadership and accountability before God. Although Pekah reigned for two decades, his leadership is judged solely on whether or not he led the people in faithfulness to God. His failure to turn away from Jeroboam’s sins speaks to the destructive power of entrenched sin. When leaders refuse to confront idolatry and disobedience, it not only affects them but also leads the entire nation further from God’s blessing and protection.
This verse also highlights the idea that, in God’s eyes, no amount of political maneuvering or military success can substitute for faithfulness to His commandments. The most important responsibility of a leader is to guide the people in obedience to God, and Pekah, like many before him, failed in this critical task.
Literary Analysis
This verse fits into the broader pattern of the Books of Kings, where each ruler of Israel or Judah is evaluated based on their spiritual faithfulness. The phrase “He did evil in the eyes of the Lord” is a recurring theme, especially for the kings of Israel, and serves as a summary of Pekah’s reign. The reference to Jeroboam’s sins reminds the reader that Pekah’s reign, like many before him, was spiritually corrupt and characterized by disobedience to God’s law.
The simplicity of the verse contrasts with the complexity of the political and military events that likely took place during Pekah’s reign. The biblical narrative focuses on the spiritual failure of the king rather than on his political achievements, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God over worldly success.
Biblical Cross-References
- 1 Kings 12:28-30: Describes how Jeroboam introduced idolatry to Israel by setting up golden calves in Bethel and Dan, which became a lasting sin for the nation.
- 2 Kings 13:2: Another king of Israel, Jehoahaz, is similarly condemned for continuing in the sins of Jeroboam, showing how this idolatry became a persistent problem for Israel.
- Hosea 10:13: The prophet Hosea, who ministered during this period, warned Israel that trusting in human strength and military alliances rather than in God would lead to their downfall.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For modern Christians, this verse serves as a warning about the dangers of continuing in sin and not turning back to God. Just as Pekah refused to break from the idolatrous practices of Jeroboam, we too can become trapped in patterns of disobedience if we fail to repent and seek God’s guidance. This verse challenges us to examine our own lives and ask whether there are areas where we have allowed sin to persist rather than turning back to God.
It also emphasizes the importance of spiritual leadership. Whether in our families, churches, or communities, we are called to lead others toward God, not away from Him. Like Pekah, leaders today face the responsibility of guiding people in righteousness, and this verse serves as a reminder that faithfulness to God’s commandments should always be our highest priority.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
Despite Pekah’s failure to lead Israel in faithfulness, God’s love for His people remained constant. Throughout Israel’s history, even in times of rebellion and idolatry, God continued to call His people back to Him through prophets like Hosea. His love is evident in His patience and His desire for His people to return to Him, even when they stray far from His commandments.
God’s love is not diminished by human disobedience, but He continues to offer grace and mercy to those who repent and seek His forgiveness. This verse reminds us that, while God judges sin, His ultimate desire is for restoration and reconciliation with His people.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Pekah’s failure to lead Israel away from sin points to the need for a perfect leader—Jesus Christ. While Pekah and many other kings of Israel led the people into further rebellion, Jesus came to lead humanity back to God. He is the perfect King who not only teaches us how to live in obedience to God but also provides the way to overcome sin through His death and resurrection.
Unlike Pekah, who perpetuated the sins of his predecessors, Jesus came to break the power of sin and lead us into new life. Through Jesus, we are invited to experience freedom from the patterns of sin and idolatry that separated Israel from God (John 8:36). Jesus’ perfect kingship contrasts sharply with the flawed leadership of Israel’s kings, offering us hope and salvation.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- How does Pekah’s failure to turn away from idolatry challenge us to examine areas of our lives where we may be holding on to sinful habits?
- What steps can we take to ensure that we are leading others toward God, rather than allowing patterns of disobedience to persist?
- How does God’s patience with Israel during Pekah’s reign encourage us to trust in His love and forgiveness, even when we fall short?
- How does Jesus’ role as the perfect King inspire us to follow Him and experience freedom from the patterns of sin that hold us back?