King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 14:22 Mean?

1 Kings 14:22 in the King James Version says “And Judah did evil in the sight of the LORD, and they provoked him to jealousy with their sins which they had committed,...” — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Judah did evil in the sight of the LORD, and they provoked him to jealousy with their sins which they had committed, above all that their fathers had done.”

1 Kings 14:22 · KJV

Context

20

And the days which Jeroboam reigned were two and twenty years: and he slept with his fathers, and Nadab his son reigned in his stead. slept: Heb. lay down

21

And Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD did choose out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess.

22

And Judah did evil in the sight of the LORD, and they provoked him to jealousy with their sins which they had committed, above all that their fathers had done.

23

For they also built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree. images: or, standing images, or, statues

24

And there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.

Read 1 Kings 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Judah did evil in the sight of the LORD, and they provoked him to jealousy with their sins which they had committed, above all that their fathers had done.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of jeroboam's judgment and rehoboam's reign, within the book's focus on spiritual decline of both kingdoms under various rulers.

The Hebrew text reveals nuances important for understanding this passage's contribution to 1 Kings' theological message about kingship, covenant, and faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse demonstrates the consequences when God's people—especially their leaders—either follow or forsake the covenant established at Sinai.

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Historical & Cultural Context

First Kings was written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), reflecting on the monarchy period (10th-9th centuries BCE) to explain why the kingdoms fell. This period (c. 930-850 BCE) saw rapid succession and instability, especially in the northern kingdom.

Ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology viewed kings as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic order through right worship. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria confirm the historical reliability of 1 Kings' descriptions of building projects and administrative structures.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage illustrate the importance of complete obedience to God's word without compromise?
  2. What does Elijah's ministry reveal about God's character and His commitment to His covenant people?
  3. How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
עָשׂ֣וּ1 of 14

“did”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

יְהוּדָ֛ה2 of 14

“And Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

הָרַ֖ע3 of 14

“evil”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

בְּעֵינֵ֣י4 of 14

“in the sight”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

יְהוָ֑ה5 of 14

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וַיְקַנְא֣וּ6 of 14

“and they provoked him to jealousy”

H7065

to be (causatively, make) zealous, i.e., (in a bad sense) jealous or envious

אֹת֗וֹ7 of 14
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מִכֹּל֙8 of 14
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר9 of 14
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עָשׂ֣וּ10 of 14

“did”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אֲבֹתָ֔ם11 of 14

“above all that their fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

בְּחַטֹּאתָ֖ם12 of 14

“with their sins”

H2403

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

אֲשֶׁ֥ר13 of 14
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

חָטָֽאוּ׃14 of 14

“which they had committed”

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Kings 14:22 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Kings 14:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Corinthians 10:222 Chronicles 12:1Psalms 78:582 Chronicles 12:14Isaiah 65:3-4Deuteronomy 32:16-21

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