What does 2 Kings 17:9 mean?
"And the children of Israel did secretly those things that were not right against the LORD their God, and they built them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city." - 2 Kings 17:9
The King James Version of 2 Kings 17:9 states, "And the children of Israel did secretly those things that were not right against the LORD their God, and they built them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city."
This verse comes from the book of 2 Kings, which is a historical account of the kings of Israel and Judah. In this particular verse, the author is describing the actions of the children of Israel during a time of great moral and spiritual decline. The verse is part of a larger passage that recounts the sins of Israel and the consequences they faced as a result of turning away from God.
The theme of this verse is the sinful behavior of the people of Israel. The phrase "did secretly those things that were not right against the LORD their God" indicates that the Israelites were engaging in forbidden practices in a covert manner, attempting to hide their actions from God and their fellow Israelites. This behavior is in direct opposition to the commands and expectations that God had set for His people. The construction of high places in all their cities further demonstrates the extent to which the Israelites had turned away from God, as high places were often used for idolatrous worship and other sinful practices.
This verse provides valuable insight into the spiritual and moral state of the nation of Israel at the time. Despite their covenant with God and the many blessings He had bestowed upon them, the people had turned to idolatry and other forms of disobedience. This passage serves as a warning against the dangers of spiritual complacency and the consequences of forsaking God and His commands.
The context of this verse is important for understanding its significance within the larger narrative of 2 Kings. The book of 2 Kings chronicles the history of the Israelite monarchy, focusing on the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Throughout the book, the author emphasizes the spiritual and moral decline of both kingdoms and their eventual exile as a result of their disobedience to God. The passage in which 2 Kings 17:9 is found describes the sins of Israel and the judgment that God brought upon them through the Assyrian invasion and exile. The verse serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the importance of obedience to His commands.
Symbolism plays a significant role in this verse as well. The high places built by the children of Israel symbolize their abandonment of true worship and their embrace of idolatry. In ancient Israelite culture, high places were often used for the worship of false gods and pagan rituals. By building high places "in all their cities," the Israelites were actively rejecting the one true God and turning to false idols. This symbolism serves as a powerful illustration of the spiritual and moral decay that had taken hold of the nation.
In conclusion, 2 Kings 17:9 provides a sobering depiction of the disobedience and spiritual decline of the nation of Israel. The verse serves as a cautionary tale, reminding readers of the dangers of turning away from God and the consequences that can result from disobedience. Through its themes of sin and judgment, its historical context, and its use of symbolism, this verse offers valuable insights into the spiritual and moral challenges faced by the Israelites and carries important lessons for readers today.
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2 Kings 17:9 - "And the children of Israel did secretly those things that were not right against the LORD their God, and they built them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city."
"And the children of Israel did secretly those things that were not right against the LORD their God, and they built them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city." - 2 Kings 17:9
1 Kings 9:17 - "And Solomon built Gezer, and Beth-horon the nether,"
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."
2 Kings 9:17 - "And there stood a watchman on the tower in Jezreel, and he spied the company of Jehu as he came, and said, I see a company. And Joram said, Take an horseman, and send to meet them, and let him say, Is it peace?"
2 Kings 19:17 - "Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands,"
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."
2 kings 9:34-36
"And Solomon built Gezer, and Beth-horon the nether," - 1 Kings 9:17
1 Kings 17:9 - "Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee."
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 Chronicles 9:22 - "And king Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom."
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 Kings 9:9 - "And I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah:"
"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
2 Chronicles 9:17 - "Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold."
"Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands," - 2 Kings 19:17
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 17:5 - "¶ Then the king of Assyria came up throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria, and besieged it three years."
2 Kings 24:17 - "¶ And the king of Babylon made Mattaniah his father's brother king in his stead, and changed his name to Zedekiah."
2 Kings 17:22 - "For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they departed not from them;"
2 Kings 17:12 - "For they served idols, whereof the LORD had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing."
2 Kings 17:14 - "Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the LORD their God."
2 Kings 11:17 - "¶ And Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they should be the LORD'S people; between the king also and the people."
2 Kings 17:3 - "Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria; and Hoshea became his servant, and gave him presents."
2 Kings 17:10 - "And they set them up images and groves in every high hill, and under every green tree:"
2 Kings 14:17 - "¶ And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel fifteen years."
2 Kings 2:17 - "And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not."