Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 14
The greatest period in Israel’s history was during the rules of David and Solomon. They ruled over a vast area of land, including all the countries that surrounded Israel. Later kings soon lost control over much of this land. That was especially true in northern and central Israel. Its kings lost control even over much of the land where Israel’s own people lived (10:32-33).
However, one later king, Jeroboam, managed to make northern and central Israel truly great again. In a series of military successes, he added a vast area of land in the north to the land that he already controlled. The southern border of his country had always been the Sea of the Arabah, today called the Dead Sea, near Jericho. Formerly the northern border was about 100 miles (160 kilometres) north, by Dan. Jeroboam took his soldiers further north, through the mountains in Lebanon. He moved the border north by another 100 miles (160 kilometres) to Lebo Hamath, the entrance to Hamath. He also gained control over other nations that were even beyond this border (14:28).
God had already declared, in a message to the prophet (holy man) Jonah, that Jeroboam would achieve this. This statement shows that the prophet Jonah was well-known in Israel at this time. The Book of Jonah, of course, tells much more about him and his prophecies (messages from God). It also shows that Nineveh, the capital city of Assyria, had become extremely powerful by this time. Soon, Assyria would become Israel’s principal enemy.
Jonah came from Gath Hepher. This was close to the place where people later built the town called Nazareth.
Next part: God shows his kindness by Jeroboam's successes (2 Kings 14:26-27)
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