And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his fathers had done.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's so easy to skim over this verse and think, "Okay, another bad king." But the phrase "according to all that his fathers had done" isn't just a filler; it's a sharp indictment of a spiritual rut. This king didn't just repeat past mistakes, he followed the exact blueprint of his predecessors' evil, showing a deliberate choice to walk in the well-trodden path of rebellion against God.
And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his fathers had done.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse concludes the reign of Jehoahaz, who took the throne after his father Josiah's death. Unlike his godly father, Jehoahaz immediately turned to wickedness, mirroring the evil deeds of past kings. This sets the stage for the swift judgment that God would bring upon Judah through the Babylonian empire.
Ever feel like history repeats itself? This verse highlights a pattern that plagued ancient Israel.
A Pattern of Disobedience
This verse describes King Jehoahaz, son of Josiah. While his father, Josiah, was a reformer who sought the Lord, Jehoahaz immediately turned away.
We often hear this phrase, but what did it truly signify to the ancient Israelites?
More Than Just Bad Behavior
'Evil in the sight of the LORD' wasn't just about personal moral failings; it had national and covenantal implications.
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Understand the original words
ra' · Hebrew Adjective
In a biblical context, that which is morally corrupt, contrary to the will of God, and displeasing to Him. It often denotes idolatry, injustice, and disobedience to the revealed law of God.
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God in the Old Testament, revealed to Moses as the 'I AM.' It signifies His eternal existence, His holiness, and His faithfulness to His covenant promises with Israel.
ab · Hebrew Noun
In the context of the Davidic dynasty, this refers to the previous kings of Judah. Their actions often set a pattern—either of righteousness and adherence to the Law, or of apostasy and idolatry—which subsequent generations followed.
This verse highlights the tragic pattern of unfaithfulness that plagued the kings of Judah, especially after the death of the righteous King Josiah. Jehoiakim's reign represents a stark return to the evil practices of past kings, directly defying the renewed covenant established during Josiah's reforms and hastening Jerusalem's ultimate destruction.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Assyrian Exile
The northern kingdom of Israel falls to the Assyrian Empire, and many Israelites are exiled. This marks a period of intense divine judgment for disobedience.
c. 640 BC
Josiah Becomes King of Judah
Josiah ascends to the throne of Judah at a young age, following his father Amon who was assassinated. His reign will later be marked by religious reform.
c. 622 BC
Discovery of the Law Scroll
During temple renovations, the high priest Hilkiah finds a scroll believed to be the Law of Moses. King Josiah's reaction to its contents sparks a nationwide revival.
c. 609 BC
Death of King Josiah
Josiah is killed in battle at Megiddo while trying to intercept Egyptian forces. His death is a devastating blow to Judah and the reforms he championed.
c. 609 BC
Jehoahaz's Brief Reign
Josiah's son Jehoahaz is made king but reigns for only three months before being deposed and exiled by the Egyptians.
c. 609 BC - 597 BC— this verse
Reign of Jehoiakim
Another son of Josiah, Eliakim (renamed Jehoiakim), is placed on the throne by the Egyptians. His rule is marked by corruption and a turning away from God, setting the stage for further judgment.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
After a period of Babylonian siege and repeated rebellion, Jerusalem falls to Nebuchadnezzar. The temple is destroyed, and the remaining population is exiled to Babylon.
This passage describes Israel's repeated cycle of forsaking God after their leaders failed to follow Him, mirroring the persistent evil of Judah's kings.
Jeremiah 22:1-5The prophet Jeremiah directly confronts the kings of Judah, warning them that their evil deeds will lead to destruction, much like the kings who 'did what was evil in the sight of the LORD'.
1 Samuel 15:23This verse highlights rebellion against God's word as being as wicked as idolatry, providing a theological underpinning for why doing 'evil in the sight of the LORD' was so serious.
2 Chronicles 33:1-2This passage describes King Manasseh, who did 'evil in the sight of the LORD' and led Judah into great sin, showing a specific example of the kind of persistent evil referenced in 2 Kings 23:37.
It's so easy to skim over this verse and think, "Okay, another bad king." But the phrase "according to all that his fathers had done" isn't just a filler; it's a sharp indictment of a spiritual rut. This king didn't just repeat past mistakes, he followed the exact blueprint of his predecessors' evil, showing a deliberate choice to walk in the well-trodden path of rebellion against God.
This verse concludes the reign of Jehoahaz, who took the throne after his father Josiah's death. Unlike his godly father, Jehoahaz immediately turned to wickedness, mirroring the evil deeds of past kings. This sets the stage for the swift judgment that God would bring upon Judah through the Babylonian empire.
This verse concludes the reign of Jehoahaz, who took the throne after his father Josiah's death. Unlike his godly father, Jehoahaz immediately turned to wickedness, mirroring the evil deeds of past kings. This sets the stage for the swift judgment that God would bring upon Judah through the Babylonian empire.
"And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his fathers had done." — It's so easy to skim over this verse and think, "Okay, another bad king." But the phrase "according to all that his fathers had done" isn't just a filler; it's a sharp indictment of a spiritual rut.…
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Last reviewed October 2026