2 Chronicles 22 4

2 Chronicles 22:4 kjv

Wherefore he did evil in the sight of the LORD like the house of Ahab: for they were his counselors after the death of his father to his destruction.

2 Chronicles 22:4 nkjv

Therefore he did evil in the sight of the LORD, like the house of Ahab; for they were his counselors after the death of his father, to his destruction.

2 Chronicles 22:4 niv

He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, as the house of Ahab had done, for after his father's death they became his advisers, to his undoing.

2 Chronicles 22:4 esv

He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, as the house of Ahab had done. For after the death of his father they were his counselors, to his undoing.

2 Chronicles 22:4 nlt

He did what was evil in the LORD's sight, just as Ahab's family had done. They even became his advisers after the death of his father, and they led him to ruin.

2 Chronicles 22 verses

2 Chronicles 22 4 Meaning

King Ahaziah of Judah conducted his reign with actions that were evil in the eyes of the LORD, mirroring the pervasive wickedness and idolatry characteristic of the dynastic house of Ahab from Israel. This was because, following the death of his father King Jehoram, members of the house of Ahab, particularly through his mother Athaliah, served as his primary advisors, directly leading him down a path that resulted in his premature downfall and destruction.

2 Chronicles 22 4 Context

Chapter 22 of 2 Chronicles continues the narrative of Judah's monarchy, immediately following the brief, wicked reign and subsequent death of Ahaziah's father, Jehoram, who himself had married Athaliah, daughter of Ahab. Ahaziah ascends to the throne at 22 years old and reigns for only one year. The book of Chronicles places significant emphasis on the spiritual condition of the kings and their obedience to God, often linking national prosperity or destruction directly to royal piety or apostasy. Historically, this period reflects a deep spiritual decline in Judah, largely due to the disastrous alliance and intermarriage with the idolatrous house of Ahab in Israel. This union brought Baal worship and wicked practices into Judah's royal court, corrupting the Davidic line. The Chronicler highlights this external influence as the primary reason for Ahaziah's wickedness, portraying him as a king easily swayed and led astray. His reign is a brief, tragic interlude before the reign of Athaliah and the subsequent reign of Joash.

2 Chronicles 22 4 Word analysis

• He: Refers to Ahaziah (Hebrew: אֲחַזְיָהוּ, ’Aḥazyahu), who was the son of Jehoram and Athaliah (daughter of Ahab). At only 22 years old, his youth made him susceptible to the strong influences around him. His one-year reign is a stark contrast to the reigns of his predecessors and successors in Judah.
• did evil: Hebrew: וַיַּעַשׂ הָרָע (wayyaʿas haraʿ). This is a recurring phrase in the Deuteronomistic history (Kings and Chronicles) used to describe kings who acted contrary to God's law and will. It specifically denotes actions that violate the covenant, particularly engaging in idolatry, moral perversion, and injustice, often connected to the pagan practices of surrounding nations.
• in the sight of the LORD: Hebrew: בְּעֵינֵי יְהוָה (bᵉʿênê YHWH). This phrase signifies that God, YHWH, is the ultimate observer and judge of all human actions, particularly those of kings who bear immense responsibility. It implies that Ahaziah's wickedness was not hidden, and its nature was offensive to the divine standard, setting the stage for divine judgment.
• as did the house of Ahab: Hebrew: כְּבֵית אַחְאָב (kᵉvêt ʼAḥʼāv). "House" refers to the royal dynasty or family of Ahab. Ahab was a notoriously wicked king of Israel, significantly influenced by his Phoenician wife Jezebel, who promoted Baal worship extensively (1 Ki 16:30-33). Their reign introduced unprecedented idolatry and social injustice (1 Ki 21:1-19). This comparison is a profound indictment, placing Ahaziah's behavior on par with Israel's most condemned dynasty, emphasizing the spiritual degradation of Judah.
• for they were his counsellors: Hebrew: כִּי הֵם הָיוּ לוֹ יוֹעֲצִים (kî hēm hāyû lô yōʿaṣîm). "Counsellors" (yōʿaṣîm) refers to advisors who provide guidance, strategies, and moral direction. This clause pinpoints the direct cause of Ahaziah's evil: the malicious influence from his inner circle. These advisors were likely related to or sympathized with the wicked House of Ahab, particularly through Athaliah (Ahaziah's mother), who actively fostered the continuation of Ahab's practices in Judah. The emphasis here is on the critical role of leadership's choice of advisors.
• after the death of his father: This chronological marker highlights a period of transition and perhaps increased vulnerability. While Ahaziah's father, Jehoram, was also wicked, his death might have allowed the influence of Athaliah and her Ahab-aligned kinsmen to become even more dominant without any potential mitigating factors or alternative counsels, pushing Ahaziah more decisively into their evil ways. It underscores that the king was fully accountable for his choices once he took the throne.
• to his destruction: Hebrew: לְמָשִׁיתוֹ (lĕmāšîtō, or similar root implying ruin). This outcome is presented as the direct, inevitable consequence of his wickedness and adherence to evil counsel. It signifies his physical death (2 Chr 22:9) and the catastrophic end of his brief, wicked reign. The Chronicler frequently connects unfaithfulness and idolatry directly to divine judgment and severe consequences, even the end of a king or dynasty.

2 Chronicles 22 4 Bonus section

• The chronicler's frequent repetition of "as did the house of Ahab" (used for Jehoram, Ahaziah, and their family in Judah) is not merely historical reporting but a polemic against foreign religious and political influence that threatened the purity of the Davidic line and the covenant faith in Judah. It underscores the destructive nature of compromising God's commands.
• The tragic irony is that while the House of David was divinely promised an eternal dynasty, its immediate kings were severely punished for their personal and systemic wickedness, demonstrating God's justice even within His covenant promises. Ahaziah's destruction here is a powerful example.
• The account serves as a cautionary tale not only for kings but for all believers about the critical importance of selecting wise and godly advisors, understanding that bad company can profoundly corrupt, even leading to ruin. The path one chooses, and the influences one allows into one's life, directly determine one's spiritual and practical trajectory.

2 Chronicles 22 4 Commentary

2 Chronicles 22:4 starkly illustrates the profound spiritual and physical consequences of yielding to wicked influence and counsel. Ahaziah's short reign is depicted as an extension of the pervasive evil of the house of Ahab, primarily channeled through his mother Athaliah and her familial connections. The verse highlights that kings, though holding immense power, are deeply susceptible to their chosen advisors, and the quality of their reign is often a direct reflection of the counsel they heed. Ahaziah's actions are explicitly labeled "evil in the sight of the LORD," emphasizing God's moral assessment and impending judgment. This verse serves as a crucial theological point within Chronicles: deviation from God's covenant and alignment with idolatry (like Ahab's Baal worship) inevitably leads to divine punishment, cut short reigns, and ultimate destruction, irrespective of royal lineage. It underlines that personal responsibility for one's choices and associations dictates one's fate.