What does 2 Kings 14:23 mean?
"¶ In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel began to reign in Samaria, and reigned forty and one years." - 2 Kings 14:23
The verse 2 Kings 14:23 from the King James Version states:
"In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel began to reign in Samaria, and reigned forty and one years."
This verse comes from the Old Testament of the Bible and is part of the historical books, which provide an account of the history of the Israelites. The book of 2 Kings specifically focuses on the reigns of the kings of Israel and Judah, highlighting their successes and failures in relation to their obedience to God.
In this particular verse, the focus is on the beginning of Jeroboam's reign as king of Israel. It provides a specific timeframe for when he began to rule, which allows for a historical reference point within the broader narrative of Israel's history. The fact that it mentions the fifteenth year of Amaziah's reign as king of Judah also places this event in a larger context, showing the interconnectedness of the two kingdoms and their rulers at that time.
One of the key themes that can be extrapolated from this verse is the idea of divine sovereignty and the fulfillment of God's prophecies. Throughout the Old Testament, there are numerous prophecies regarding the rise and fall of various kings and kingdoms, and the specific mention of Jeroboam's reign in this verse demonstrates the fulfillment of God's plan as it pertains to the nation of Israel. This also ties into the broader theme of obedience to God, as the success or failure of the kings is often directly related to their faithfulness to God's commands.
Furthermore, the verse serves as a reminder of the cyclical nature of Israel's history. The succession of kings and the recurring patterns of apostasy and repentance are common themes throughout the Old Testament, and this verse adds to the overall narrative of Israel's fluctuating allegiance to God. Jeroboam's reign, in particular, is characterized by the perpetuation of idolatry and sin, which ultimately leads to the downfall of the northern kingdom of Israel.
Symbolism can also be inferred from this verse, particularly in relation to the significance of the number "15" and the reign of Jeroboam. In biblical numerology, the number "15" is often associated with rest and deliverance, as seen in the story of Noah and the ark. However, in the context of Jeroboam's reign, it can be seen as a period of transition and change for the nation of Israel, as well as a time of testing and judgment.
Overall, 2 Kings 14:23 is a verse that provides historical context within the broader narrative of Israel's history, while also touching on themes of divine sovereignty, obedience to God, and the cyclical nature of Israel's faithfulness. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of unfaithfulness and the fulfillment of God's prophecies, while also setting the stage for the events that follow in the subsequent chapters of 2 Kings.
Have questions about 2 Kings 14:23?
Dive deeper into this scripture with Bible Chat — an AI-powered tool for exploring God's Word through conversation. Ask questions, get context, and grow in your understanding of the Bible.
Get Our Apps
2 Kings 14:23 Artwork
2 Kings 14:23 - "¶ In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel began to reign in Samaria, and reigned forty and one years."
"¶ In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel began to reign in Samaria, and reigned forty and one years." - 2 Kings 14:23
2 Kings 23:14 - "And he brake in pieces the images, and cut down the groves, and filled their places with the bones of men." The image should not depict explicit or offensive content but be symbolic.
2 Kings 23:23 - "But in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, wherein this passover was holden to the LORD in Jerusalem."
"And he brake in pieces the images, and cut down the groves, and filled their places with the bones of men." - 2 Kings 23:14
2 Kings 8:23 - "And the rest of the acts of Joram, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Kings 23:22 - "Surely there was not holden such a passover from the days of the judges that judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah;"
2 Kings 14:18 - "And the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
1 Kings 14:23 - "For they also built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree."
2 Kings 23:28 - "Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Kings 3:23 - "And they said, This is blood: the kings are surely slain, and they have smitten one another: now therefore, Moab, to the spoil."
2 Samuel 23:14 - "And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Beth-lehem."
2 Kings 23:1 - "And the king sent, and they gathered unto him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem."
2 Kings 21:23 - "¶ And the servants of Amon conspired against him, and slew the king in his own house."
2 Samuel 14:23 - "So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem."
2 Kings 14:29 - "And Jeroboam slept with his fathers, even with the kings of Israel; and Zachariah his son reigned in his stead."
2 Kings 12:14 - "But they gave that to the workmen, and repaired therewith the house of the LORD."
2 Kings 9:23 - "And Joram turned his hands, and fled, and said to Ahaziah, There is treachery, O Ahaziah."
2 Kings 14:16 - "And Jehoash slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel; and Jeroboam his son reigned in his stead."
"But in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, wherein this passover was holden to the LORD in Jerusalem." - 2 Kings 23:23
2 Kings 14:14 - "And he took all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house, and hostages, and returned to Samaria."
Soothing the Soul: The Gospel of Gentle Care 1 Kings 19:3-8; 1 Samuel 16:14-23
2 Kings 14:22 - "He built Elath, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers."
2 Kings 23:37 - "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his fathers had done."
2 Kings 23:32 - "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his fathers had done."
2 Kings 23:11 - "And he took away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the sun, at the entering in of the house of the LORD, by the chamber of Nathan-melech the chamberlain, which was in the suburbs, and burned the chariots of the sun with fire."
Soothing the Soul: The Gospel of Gentle Care 1 Kings 19:3-8; 1 Samuel 16:14-23
2 Kings 23:21 - "¶ And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover unto the LORD your God, as it is written in the book of this covenant."
2 Kings 23:7 - "And he brake down the houses of the sodomites, that were by the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the grove."
2 Kings 14:12 - "And Judah was put to the worse before Israel; and they fled every man to their tents."