Biblical Profile: Jeroboam II

Jeroboam II

Jeroboam II, son of Jehoash, reigned over Israel for 41 years (793–753 BC), longer than any other northern king. He followed the evil example of his (unrelated) namesake, Jeroboam I (2 Kgs 14:23-24). During his era the northern kingdom reached its greatest extent and experienced its greatest prosperity since Solomon (archaeological evidence from Jeroboam’s capital, Samaria, suggests the opulence of Israel’s royal house during his reign). On a human level, an explanation for Israel’s newfound prosperity was that Assyria experienced a decline in power during this time, allowing the northern kingdom to expand. The prophet Jonah, however, predicted this prosperity as the fulfillment of God’s promise (14:25). Even though Jeroboam’s reign came after 150 years of apostasy in the northern kingdom, God still exhibited his faithful love by offering Israel his mercy (14:26-27).

While the reign of Jeroboam II produced great wealth, it was not accompanied by justice. The rich landowners oppressed the less wealthy and forced small landowners to migrate from their farms to the cities. There was an increase in government corruption, economic depression, and political weakness, and Israel’s spiritual state continued to degenerate. God raised up prophets to challenge the leaders and people of Israel during this time. Amos and Hosea prophesied against Israel’s vast corruption. Amos was particularly scathing in his attacks on the rich for oppressing the poor. He mentions Jeroboam’s impending death and the punishment that was coming upon Israel (Amos 7:10-17).

When Jeroboam II died, the northern kingdom rapidly declined. In the following years (753–722 BC), six kings ruled in rapid succession, and most of them were assassinated. In 722 BC, about 30 years after the end of Jeroboam II’s reign, Assyria destroyed the northern kingdom and deported its people, thus properly bringing judgment on the sins of Jeroboam II and other northern kings.