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Book of 1 Kings - Chapter 15 - Verse 34

15:34
And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin.

Meaning

When the Bible speaks of someone doing evil in the sight of the Lord, it is a clear indication that the actions of that individual were in direct opposition to God's will and commandments. In this particular verse, the mention of walking in the way of Jeroboam refers to following the sinful practices established by King Jeroboam I of Israel, who led the nation into idolatry and away from the worship of the one true God. By following in Jeroboam's footsteps, the individual mentioned in the verse perpetuated the sin that caused Israel to stray from God and fall into spiritual darkness. This serves as a cautionary reminder for believers to stay faithful to God's commands and avoid being led astray by the sinful influences of the world.

Theological Overview

When examining the theological interpretation of the verse discussing how a king did evil in the eyes of the LORD and followed in the sinful ways of Jeroboam, we must understand the significance of obedience and faithfulness to God in the Old Testament. In ancient Israelite society, the kings were seen as extensions of God's authority on earth, entrusted with the responsibility of leading the people in righteousness and adherence to the Mosaic laws. When a king strayed from God's commandments, such as aligning with the practices of Jeroboam, who had established idolatry in Israel, it was considered a grave sin in the eyes of the LORD. By following in Jeroboam's sinful ways, the king not only led himself astray but also caused the nation of Israel to stumble into sin and idol worship, leading to God's displeasure with their actions. This verse serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of staying true to God's teachings in order to receive His favor and blessings.

American Standard Version

And he did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, and walked in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin.
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