Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 14
There were two kings of northern and central Israel who had the name: Jeroboam. They were both great leaders of their nation. God gave each of them a special task to do for him. Although they were both evil men, they carried out that particular task well.
We read about the first of these kings in 1 Kings 11:26 to 14:20. God gave him the special task to establish northern and central Israel as a separate country (1 Kings 11:29-39). So, after the death of Solomon, the first king called Jeroboam led northern and central Israel as it separated from Judah.
The second king called Jeroboam lived more than a century later. He came from a different family: the royal family of Jehu. He was therefore the son of the previous king, Jehoash.
The special task for the second Jeroboam was to rescue Israel from its enemies. During the rule of his father Jehoash, and grandfather Jehoahaz, Israel’s people had suffered much because of the cruelty of Aram’s kings. As we shall see, Jeroboam was a great military leader. He defeated Israel’s enemies in war and he gained much land for Israel. His rule was long and successful.
However, like all the kings of northern and central Israel, the second Jeroboam was not loyal to God. He did not obey God’s law; and he followed the wrong religion that the first king called Jeroboam had established (1 Kings 12:25-33).
Next part: Jeroboam's successes and Jonah's prophecy (2 Kings 14:25)
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