Question 1

Who is the Jeroboam mentioned in this passage?

Accepted Answer

The Jeroboam in this passage is Jeroboam II, a king of Israel who ruled from Samaria for forty‑one years. He followed the same wrong worship as earlier kings of Israel, keeping the calf worship that led the nation into sin. Even so, God used him to restore Israel’s borders and to bring some relief from their enemies. These closing verses do not repeat his whole story, but they remind us that he was a strong and successful ruler in war before he died and his son Zachariah took the throne.

Question 2

What does it mean that Jeroboam recovered Damascus and Hamath?

Accepted Answer

Damascus and Hamath were important cities that had once been under the control or tribute of the kingdom connected with Judah but had been taken by the Syrians. During Jeroboam II’s reign, Israel had been badly weakened and pressed by enemies. God showed pity on Israel’s suffering and allowed Jeroboam to win battles and take these places back. So when the text says he “recovered” them, it means he won them back from foreign control and restored them to the territory ruled by God’s people.

Question 3

Why does the passage mention the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

Accepted Answer

The mention of the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel tells the reader that many more details about Jeroboam’s rule, battles, and power were written down elsewhere. The writer of this passage chooses only a few key facts and then points to that royal record for a fuller account. It shows that Jeroboam’s life and achievements were well known in his own time, even if only a brief summary is given here to focus on what matters for God’s story of Israel.

Question 4

What does it mean that Jeroboam slept with his fathers?

Accepted Answer

The phrase “slept with his fathers” is a common way the Bible speaks about a king’s death. It means Jeroboam died and joined the previous generations in the grave. Here it adds “even with the kings of Israel” to show he was buried in the line of Israel’s kings. The passage moves quickly from his power and wars to this simple note of his death, reminding us that even strong rulers come to an end, and their place is taken by the next generation, in this case his son Zachariah.

Question 5

Who is Zachariah, the son who reigned after Jeroboam?

Accepted Answer

Zachariah is Jeroboam II’s son who became king of Israel after his father’s death. He is part of the family line that began when God promised Jehu that four generations of his sons would sit on Israel’s throne. With Zachariah, that promise reaches its fourth king. These verses do not yet tell his story, only that he takes Jeroboam’s place as king. This shows how the royal line continued as God had said, even after a long and powerful reign came to an end.

Question 6

What does this passage show about God’s mercy toward Israel?

Accepted Answer

Earlier in the chapter, God saw how bitter Israel’s suffering was, with no one to help them. Even though the nation was walking in sin, God chose to show mercy and not erase them. He used Jeroboam’s strength in war to restore land and give the people some relief from their enemies. These closing verses, which mention Jeroboam’s might and victories, point back to that kindness. They remind us that God can work through imperfect leaders to spare his people when he chooses to show compassion.

Question 7

Why is Jeroboam’s long and powerful reign summed up so briefly here?

Accepted Answer

The writer’s main goal is not to list every detail of Jeroboam’s success, but to show how his rule fits into God’s dealings with Israel. His wars, his recovery of cities, and even his long life are wrapped up in a few lines, while the earlier verses focus on God’s mercy and word. By pointing to the royal chronicles for more detail, the passage keeps our attention on what matters most spiritually: God saw Israel’s distress, chose not yet to wipe them out, and used Jeroboam for a time before his reign came to a close.

Question 8

How can this short record about Jeroboam and Zachariah help readers today?

Accepted Answer

This brief record quietly reminds us that human strength, long rule, and military success all pass away. Jeroboam’s might and wars are noted, then the text immediately says he slept with his fathers and his son reigned in his place. It can nudge us to think less about outward success and more about our standing with God. It also shows that God can work through flawed leaders to give relief to suffering people, which can help us trust that God still sees and cares when his people are in hard situations.

2 Kings 14:28

¶ Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, and all that he did, and his might, how he warred, and how he recovered Damascus, and Hamath, which belonged to Judah, for Israel, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

Jeroboam II Reigns in Israel

Zechariah Reigns over Israel

Cross References

2 Kings 14:28

¶ Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, and all that he did, and his might, how he warred, and how he recovered Damascus, and Hamath, which belonged to Judah, for Israel, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

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Jeroboam II Reigns in Israel

Zechariah Reigns over Israel

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