Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 14
Jeroboam even gained power over two great capital cities – or perhaps, over regions that had belonged to them.
Damascus was the capital of Aram (also called Syria), on the north-east side of Israel. At one time, David had ruled over that region (2 Samuel 8:5-6). Hamath was north of Lebo Hamath, the entrance to Hamath (14:25). So, Hamath was the name both of a capital city and of the region that it controlled. Solomon had gained power over that region (2 Chronicles 8:3-4).
Now these places were again under Israel’s control. Probably, Jeroboam collected taxes in these regions and he appointed their rulers. So, God had again given to Israel’s people control over these nations, as he had done at the time of David and Solomon. It was clear evidence to Israel’s people that God was still the real God, and active in their lives.
Such astonishing events should cause people to turn from their evil deeds and back to God. Sadly, it seems that few of the people at that time did turn back to God. They did not realise that, for the nation called northern and central Israel, time was short. At the death of Jeroboam, the royal family of Jehu had ruled for about 100 years. However, Zechariah, the last king from that family, would only rule for 6 months. Only 40 years later, God acted in judgment against northern and central Israel, because of the evil deeds of its rulers and people (17:1-23). The army of Assyria destroyed the cities and they killed many people. They took the rest of the people away from northern and central Israel.
Next part: King Azariah of Judah (2 Kings 15:1-2)
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