2 Kings 23:37
And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his fathers had done.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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It's easy to just see this as a repeat of "bad king, bad deeds." But notice it's not just that he did evil, but he did it "according to all that his fathers had done." This highlights the terrifying power of legacy and ingrained patterns; his evil wasn't just his own, it was a continuation of a family tradition, a spiritual inheritance passed down.
After Josiah, a righteous king, dies, his son Jehoahaz takes the throne but reigns for only three months before being deposed and exiled by the Egyptian pharaoh. His uncle Eliakim, renamed Jehoiakim by the pharaoh, then becomes king. Jehoiakim, like the kings before him, completely abandons the ways of the Lord, continuing the pattern of wickedness established by earlier generations.
Ever feel like you're just repeating your parents' mistakes, for better or worse? This verse hits hard on that very idea.
King Jehoahaz stepped onto the throne after his father, Josiah, a good king. Yet, instead of continuing Josiah's righteous path, Jehoahaz immediately reverted to the evil ways of kings past.
The Pull of the Past
This wasn't just a personal failing; it highlights how deeply ingrained patterns and influences can be. The "fathers" mentioned likely represent a broader history of idolatry and sin that had plagued the kingdom for generations. Jehoahaz chose to follow the popular and familiar evil, rather than the difficult and unfamiliar good.
A Choice, Not Destiny
While the verse states he did evil according to his fathers, it doesn't excuse his actions. It underscores that even with a legacy of goodness before him (his father Josiah), he actively chose the path of rebellion against God.
What does it really mean to do 'evil in the sight of the LORD'? It's more than just breaking rules; it's a deep offense to the One who created us.
The phrase "evil in the sight of the LORD" is a recurring theme in the books of Kings. It signifies more than just moral wrongness; it's about rejecting God's authority, His covenant, and His design for His people.
Breaking the Relationship
When Israel or its kings did evil, they weren't just making bad choices; they were fracturing their relationship with God. This often involved idolatry – worshipping other gods – which was seen as spiritual adultery. It was a direct affront to God's unique position as Israel's sovereign and sustainer.
The Standard is God Himself
This isn't a subjective judgment. God Himself is the standard. His character, His commands, and His faithfulness define what is good and right. Doing evil means falling short of His perfect standard and actively opposing His will and purposes.
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 marks the immediate aftermath of Josiah's death, highlighting the tragic return to evil under his successor, Jehoahaz, and setting the stage for Judah's final downfall. It underscores how quickly spiritual progress can be lost when leadership fails and the people revert to old, destructive ways.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Assyrian Exile
The northern kingdom of Israel falls to the Assyrian Empire, and many Israelites are deported, marking the end of a divided kingdom era and a period of judgment for disobedience.
c. 640 BC
Josiah Becomes King of Judah
Josiah ascends to the throne of the southern kingdom of Judah at a young age, following the wicked reigns of his father Amon and grandfather Manasseh.
c. 622 BC
Josiah's Reforms
During temple repairs, the Book of the Law is found. Josiah reacts with horror, tears his clothes, and leads a national covenant to follow God's commands, purging idolatry from the land.
609 BC— this verse
Death of Josiah at Megiddo
Josiah is killed in battle against the Egyptians, a tragic end to his righteous reign. His death plunges Judah back into political instability and spiritual decline.
This verse echoes the same tragic refrain, showing a recurring pattern of Israelite kings and people turning away from God to do what was evil in His sight.
Jeremiah 22:17This prophetic passage warns a king about his corrupt heart and evil deeds, highlighting the destructive consequences of actions like those described in 2 Kings 23:37.
1 Samuel 15:11Even early Israelite leaders, like Saul, were described as having done evil in the Lord's sight, demonstrating that this was a persistent problem throughout the history of Israel's leadership.
2 Chronicles 36:5This verse directly parallels 2 Kings 23:37, stating that the king of Judah did evil in the Lord's sight and continued the cycle of disobedience.
It's easy to just see this as a repeat of "bad king, bad deeds." But notice it's not just that he did evil, but he did it "according to all that his fathers had done." This highlights the terrifying power of legacy and ingrained patterns; his evil wasn't just his own, it was a continuation of a family tradition, a spiritual inheritance passed down.
After Josiah, a righteous king, dies, his son Jehoahaz takes the throne but reigns for only three months before being deposed and exiled by the Egyptian pharaoh. His uncle Eliakim, renamed Jehoiakim by the pharaoh, then becomes king. Jehoiakim, like the kings before him, completely abandons the ways of the Lord, continuing the pattern of wickedness established by earlier generations.
After Josiah, a righteous king, dies, his son Jehoahaz takes the throne but reigns for only three months before being deposed and exiled by the Egyptian pharaoh. His uncle Eliakim, renamed Jehoiakim by the pharaoh, then becomes king. Jehoiakim, like the kings before him, completely abandons the ways of the Lord, continuing the pattern of wickedness established by earlier generations.
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609 BC
Jehoahaz Becomes King
Josiah's son Jehoahaz is chosen by the people to succeed him but is quickly deposed by the Egyptians, who install his brother Jehoiakim as king.
609-598 BC
Reign of Jehoiakim
Jehoiakim rules as a vassal of Egypt, resuming many of the corrupt practices Josiah had outlawed, though he outwardly maintained some religious observances.
597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Under Nebuchadnezzar II, the Babylonians conquer Jerusalem, deporting King Jehoiachin and many other elites to Babylon, a significant step toward Judah's eventual destruction.
"And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his fathers had done." — It's easy to just see this as a repeat of "bad king, bad deeds." But notice it's not just that he did evil, but he did it "according to all that his fathers had done." This highlights the terrifying…
