2 Chronicles 22 3

2 Chronicles 22:3 kjv

He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab: for his mother was his counselor to do wickedly.

2 Chronicles 22:3 nkjv

He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother advised him to do wickedly.

2 Chronicles 22:3 niv

He too followed the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother encouraged him to act wickedly.

2 Chronicles 22:3 esv

He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother was his counselor in doing wickedly.

2 Chronicles 22:3 nlt

Ahaziah also followed the evil example of King Ahab's family, for his mother encouraged him in doing wrong.

2 Chronicles 22 verses

2 Chronicles 22 3 Meaning

2 Chronicles 22:3 reveals that King Ahaziah of Judah followed the wicked practices and lifestyle of the Israelite dynasty of Ahab. This spiritual and moral decline was directly attributed to his mother, Athaliah, who actively counseled him to commit evil deeds and perpetuate unrighteousness. The verse underscores the devastating impact of negative family influence on leadership and an individual's spiritual path, leading to departure from the ways of the Lord.

2 Chronicles 22 3 Context

This verse falls within 2 Chronicles Chapter 22, which chronicles the very short and tragic reign of King Ahaziah over Judah. His rule lasted only one year. Immediately preceding this, his father, Jehoram, had already "walked in the ways of the kings of Israel" (2 Chron 21:6), specifically aligning with the house of Ahab by marrying Athaliah, Ahab's daughter. This unholy alliance had introduced deep idolatry and wickedness into Judah, previously characterized by the faithfulness of earlier kings like David, Solomon (in his early reign), Asa, and Jehoshaphat. Ahaziah's reign represents a further descent into the spiritual darkness imported from the Northern Kingdom, particularly the profound Baal worship and political oppression that defined Ahab's dynasty, reinforced by the powerful influence of his mother, Athaliah. The narrative highlights the Chronicler's concern for righteous kingship and its direct connection to the spiritual health of the nation, demonstrating how a wicked alliance had corrupted the Davidic line.

2 Chronicles 22 3 Word analysis

• He also walked (וַיֵּלֶךְ `vayyelekh`, from הָלַךְ `halakh`): The verb `halakh` "to walk," in biblical Hebrew, frequently signifies more than mere physical movement. It commonly describes one's way of life, conduct, moral character, or habitual course of action. Thus, "he walked" denotes that Ahaziah adopted and consistently lived according to the "ways" (moral patterns) of the house of Ahab, rather than being an isolated act.
• in the ways of the house of Ahab: This phrase defines Ahaziah's conduct as mirroring the notorious patterns of Ahab's royal family in Israel. "House of Ahab" (בֵּית־אַחְאָב `beit Ach'av`) refers not just to his immediate family but to the entire dynasty and its characteristic legacy, which included widespread Baal worship (especially championed by Jezebel), persecution of Yahweh's prophets, and severe social injustice (like Naboth's vineyard, 1 Kgs 21). This connection underscores the profound spiritual contamination and moral decay imported into Judah through the marriage alliance.
• for his mother (כִּי־אִמּוֹ `ki immo`): "His mother" refers to Athaliah, who was the daughter of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel of Israel. Her direct lineage to the infamously wicked Israelite royal house highlights the generational transfer of unrighteousness and underscores the destructive consequences of the marriage between Jehoram of Judah and Athaliah, originally intended as a political alliance. Her influence on Ahaziah was personal and formative.
• was his counselor (יוֹעַצְתּוֹ `yo'atsetto`, from יָעַץ `ya'ats` "to advise, counsel"): The term "counselor" (feminine participle here) emphasizes Athaliah's active role. She wasn't just a passive influence by virtue of her presence or example; she was a proactive advisor, directly shaping Ahaziah's decisions, policies, and character. This highlights the crucial role of advisors in leadership and the devastating impact of malevolent guidance.
• to do wickedly (לְהַרְשִׁיעַ `leharshi'a`, from רָשַׁע `rasha` "to be wicked, guilty, condemn"): This infinitive describes the purpose and result of Athaliah's counsel. Her advice intentionally led Ahaziah to act unjustly, practice idolatry, and engage in behavior contrary to God's law. It points to a deliberate cultivation of evil rather than accidental wrongdoing, underscoring the deep-seated spiritual rebellion.

• "He also walked in the ways of...": This phrase describes Ahaziah's adoption of the spiritual and ethical orientation of the house of Ahab. It indicates that his entire lifestyle, decision-making, and moral compass were set to imitate the ungodliness characteristic of Ahab's family. This goes beyond specific acts to denote a fundamental perversion of his kingly role and his personal life.
• "ways of the house of Ahab": This represents a summary indictment of a dynasty infamous for deep apostasy, religious syncretism, persecution of prophets, and socio-economic injustice. It signifies a profound betrayal of the Mosaic Covenant and the principles of righteous governance set forth for Israel. Ahaziah aligning with these "ways" signifies his complete deviation from the God-ordained path for the Davidic kings.
• "for his mother was his counselor to do wickedly": This powerful statement reveals the primary source of Ahaziah's spiritual corruption. It emphasizes that the very person meant to guide and nurture him, his own mother, actively manipulated him towards evil. This points to the critical importance of spiritual discernment in choosing advisors and the profound influence of family on one's destiny, whether for good or ill. Athaliah’s influence meant Ahaziah was trained and directed in sin.

2 Chronicles 22 3 Bonus section

The Chronicler’s emphasis on the source of Ahaziah’s evil—his mother Athaliah, daughter of Ahab—underscores a recurring theme in biblical history: the grave spiritual danger of intermarriage with those who do not worship the Lord, especially within royal or influential lines. This practice repeatedly led Israel and Judah into idolatry and ultimately divine judgment.

Ahaziah's very short and inglorious reign, contrasted with the prolonged reigns of faithful kings, subtly implies God's swift judgment on rulers who deliberately stray from His path, even if influenced by others. The lineage of David was indeed preserved through a divine lamp (2 Chron 21:7), but individual kings who failed to walk in God's ways faced severe consequences, showcasing God's covenant faithfulness coexisting with His demand for human obedience. The spiritual narrative of Chronicles constantly judges kings by their adherence to the Law and their fidelity to the Temple and the Lord, positioning Ahaziah as a tragic example of catastrophic spiritual decline.

2 Chronicles 22 3 Commentary

2 Chronicles 22:3 vividly illustrates the detrimental consequences of spiritual compromise and the pervasive nature of wicked influence within a leadership context. Ahaziah's reign, though brief, marked a low point in Judah's monarchy, directly attributable to the persistent "leaven" of Ahab's wickedness introduced through his marriage alliance. The verse highlights that Ahaziah did not merely drift into sin; he actively "walked" in the ways of deep-seated apostasy, signaling a deliberate and consistent pattern of conduct. The specific mention of "the house of Ahab" immediately invokes a strong condemnation, associating Ahaziah with the worst form of idolatry and defiance against God. The most damning detail is the role of his mother, Athaliah, as his counselor "to do wickedly." This isn't just about general bad advice, but counsel explicitly purposed to guide him into actively committing evil and unrighteousness. It serves as a potent reminder of the profound spiritual dangers of ungodly parental or leadership counsel and the critical importance of seeking divine wisdom. This verse implicitly contrasts this destructive influence with the foundational biblical principle of parents training children in the way of righteousness (Prov 22:6) and leaders guiding their people according to God's law.

For instance, a leader seeking counsel might unwittingly be led astray by advisors prioritizing personal gain over righteous governance, similar to how Athaliah's worldly counsel influenced Ahaziah. Similarly, within a family, a parent's ungodly values or advice can lead their children away from faith and righteousness, perpetuating a cycle of disobedience.