What does 2 Kings 17:18 mean?
"Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only." - 2 Kings 17:18
The verse 2 Kings 17:18 from the King James Version of the Bible reads:
"Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only."
This verse comes from the historical account of the events that led to the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel. It serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of abandoning God and turning to idolatry. To fully understand the meaning and significance of this verse, it is important to delve into the historical and cultural context in which it was written.
2 Kings 17 documents the downfall of the northern kingdom of Israel, which occurred in 722 BC. The King of Assyria, Shalmaneser, invaded Israel and besieged its capital, Samaria, for three years. The city eventually fell, and many Israelites were forcibly deported to Assyria. This marked the end of the northern kingdom as a separate entity, and the dispersed people became known as the "Ten Lost Tribes of Israel."
The verse in question specifically states that the Lord was very angry with Israel and removed them from his sight, leaving only the tribe of Judah. This reflects the biblical concept of divine judgment and the consequences of disobedience to God's commands. Throughout the Old Testament, the Israelites were warned against worshiping false gods and engaging in idolatry. The prophets repeatedly called for repentance and obedience to God's laws, but the people persisted in their sinful ways.
The expression "removed them out of his sight" is significant, as it signifies that the people's actions had driven them away from the presence and favor of God. This separation from God ultimately led to their downfall and exile. The tribe of Judah, however, was spared from the same fate for a time, as they remained faithful to the worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel.
The verse serves as a sobering lesson about the spiritual and moral consequences of abandoning God. The Israelites' disobedience and idolatry led to their expulsion from their land and the dissolution of their kingdom. It demonstrates the principle of divine justice and the truth that God holds his people accountable for their actions.
The passage also underscores the theme of remnant and preservation. Despite the widespread apostasy and spiritual decline, God chose to preserve a remnant of faithful people from the tribe of Judah. This act of divine preservation emphasizes God's faithfulness to his covenant promises, even in the midst of judgment.
Furthermore, the verse points to the sovereignty of God in history. The Assyrian invasion and the downfall of Israel were not merely the result of geopolitical factors, but were ultimately brought about by the divine will and purpose. It serves as a reminder that God is in control of the rise and fall of nations, and that he uses historical events to accomplish his redemptive plan.
Symbolically, the verse can be seen as a warning against the dangers of spiritual apostasy and the worship of false gods. It calls for fidelity to the one true God and the rejection of all forms of idolatry. It also highlights the importance of remaining faithful to God's commandments and seeking his righteousness.
In summary, 2 Kings 17:18 from the King James Version of the Bible conveys a powerful message about the consequences of abandoning God and turning to idolatry. It serves as a cautionary tale about the spiritual and moral implications of disobedience, as well as a testament to God's justice, sovereignty, and faithfulness. The verse continues to resonate as a timeless reminder for believers to remain steadfast in their devotion to God and to heed his commands.
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2 Kings 17:18 - "Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only."
"Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only." - 2 Kings 17:18
2 Kings 17:2 - "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, but not as the kings of Israel that were before him."
Revelation 17:18 - "And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth."
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?"
2 Kings 19:17 - "Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands,"
2 Kings 18:17 - "¶ And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great host against Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which is in the highway of the fuller's field."
1 Kings 18:17 - "¶ And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?"
2 Kings 1:18 - "Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?"
1 Kings 17:2 - "And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying,"
2 Kings 17:40 - "Howbeit they did not hearken, but they did after their former manner."
1 Kings 2:18 - "And Bath-sheba said, Well; I will speak for thee unto the king."
2 Kings 17:8 - "And walked in the statutes of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they had made."
2 Kings 21:17 - "¶ Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and all that he did, and his sin that he sinned, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Kings 8:18 - "And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab: for the daughter of Ahab was his wife: and he did evil in the sight of the LORD."
2 Kings 18:18 - "And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder."
1 Kings 18:2 - "And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria."
2 Kings 18:15 - "And Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house."
2 Kings 18:36 - "But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not."
2 Kings 17:17 - "And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger."
2 Chronicles 17:18 - "And next him was Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war."
"And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, but not as the kings of Israel that were before him." - 2 Kings 17:2
"Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands," - 2 Kings 19:17
"And the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?" - 2 Kings 14:18
2 Kings 3:18 - "And this is but a light thing in the sight of the LORD: he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand."
2 Kings 18:33 - "Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered at all his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?"
2 Kings 17:19 - "Also Judah kept not the commandments of the LORD their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made."
2 Kings 18:5 - "He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him."
2 Kings 16:18 - "And the covert for the sabbath that they had built in the house, and the king's entry without, turned he from the house of the LORD for the king of Assyria."
2 Kings 17:5 - "¶ Then the king of Assyria came up throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria, and besieged it three years."