Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Kings 3:2
And he wrought evil in the sight of the LORD; but not like his father, and like his mother: for he put away the image of Baal that his father had made.
2. And he wrought evil ] R.V. And he did that which was evil. The change made frequently that the same Hebrew phrase may be regularly rendered by the same English.
but not like his father, and like his mother ] Jehoram was not so far gone in evil as his brother Ahaziah had been. He kept indeed to the calf-worship of Jeroboam, but put down the Baal-worship which had been introduced by Jezebel from Phnicia. The writer makes a difference, as might be expected, between the sin of Jeroboam, grievous though that was, and the grosser idolatry which had been practised in the two last reigns.
he put away the image [R.V. pillar ] of Baal ] The Hebrew word [ maebah ] is first used of the stone (Gen 28:18) which Jacob set up for a pillar at Bethel, and it seems likely, as it is used here and elsewhere in the accounts of Baal-worship, that these objects of worship were not figures, but of the nature of obelisks. They were probably for the most part of stone, though those mentioned as brought out of the house of Baal (2Ki 10:26) and burned must have been of wood. Perhaps those under cover were made of wood, and overlaid with precious metals (cf. Hos 2:8), while those out of doors were of stone.
that his father had made ] This was no doubt some special pillar which the king had erected near his palace for his own and Jezebel’s worship. This open token of devotion to the idols of the nations Jehoram put away. But there remained pillars of Baal and a house of Baal still for Jehu to destroy. Jehoram found it difficult to go far in a reformation among persons given up as his subjects were to idolatry, and all the more difficult because his own father had been the founder and fosterer of the evil.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
On the evil done by Ahab, see especially 1Ki 16:30-34. Jehoram, warned by the fate of his brother (2Ki 1:4 note), began his reign by a formal abolition of the Phoenician state religion introduced by Ahab – even if he connived at its continuance among the people 2Ki 10:26-27; and by a re-establishment of the old worship of the kingdom as arranged by Jeroboam.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 2. He put away the image of Baal] He abolished his worship; but he continued that of the calves at Dan and Beth-el.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
He put away the image of Baal; not from any principle of conscience (for that would have reached the calves also); but either because he was startled at the dreadful judgments of God inflicted upon his father and brother for Baal worship; or because he needed Gods help to subdue the Moabites, which he knew Baal could not do; or to gratify Jehoshaphat, whose help he meant to crave, which he knew he should never obtain without this; and for this reason, it seems, Jezebel was willing to connive at it, as a trick of state.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And he wrought evil in the sight of the Lord,…. Was guilty of idolatry:
but not like his father, and like his mother; his father Ahab, and his mother Jezebel:
for he put away the image of Baal that his father had made; he did not destroy it, only removed it from the temple of Baal where it was set, that it might not be worshipped, at least publicly, see 1Ki 16:31 this he did, either moved to it by his own conscience, observing the sudden deaths of his father and brother, which he might suppose was for their idolatry; or in order to obtain success in his war with Moab he was entering into; or being instigated by Jehoshaphat to do it, or otherwise he might refuse to join him.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(2) Wrought evil.Did the evil in the eyes, &c., i.e., maintained the illicit worship of the bullock at Beth-el (2Ki. 3:3).
Like his mother.Jezebel lived throughout his reign (2Ki. 9:30), which explains why he did not eradicate the Baal-worship (2Ki. 10:18-28).
For he put away.And he removed, scil., from its place in the temple of Baal. (Comp. 1Ki. 16:31-32.) It must have been afterwards restored, probably by the influence of Jezebel. (Comp. 2Ki. 10:26-27, and Notes.)
The image.Pillar. (Comp. 2Ch. 34:4.) The LXX., Vulg., and Arabic read pillars (a different pointing); and the LXX. adds at the end, and brake them in pieces. This seems original. Ahab would be likely to set up more than one pillar to Baal.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
2. He put away the image of Baal Discountenanced, and at least partially abolished, the Baal worship that had gained such strength in Israel during the reign of Ahab and Jezebel. At what particular period of his reign he did this does not appear, but perhaps it was after the war with Moab, and in consequence of the rebuke of Elisha given at 2Ki 3:13.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
2Ki 3:2. He put away the image of Baal, &c. It is a little strange, that his mother Jezebel, who brought this worship with her from the Sidonians, should suffer him to remove the image of her favourite god. See 1Ki 16:31. But perhaps she might be a little daunted by the many disasters which had befallen her family, and was content with the privilege of having her idolatrous worship in private; nor is it unlikely, that Jehoshaphat might refuse to assist him in his wars against the king of Moab, unless he would consent to renounce his idolatry. See what we have said on 1Ki 12:28 respecting the sins of Jeroboam, 2Ki 3:3.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
2Ki 3:2 And he wrought evil in the sight of the LORD; but not like his father, and like his mother: for he put away the image of Baal that his father had made.
Ver. 2. But not like his father, and like his mother. ] Not all out so bad; and yet not very much better than they. Optimi putantur si vel leviter mali sint, saith a Popish writer concerning the Popes of Rome, vel minus boni quam caeteri mortales esse solent. They are held very good popes if they be not grossly evil; or if somewhat less good than other men use to be. Think the same of the kings of Israel.
For he put away the image of Baal.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
evil = the evil. Hebrew. ra a. App-44.
his mother. Jezebel, who lived through the whole of his reign (2Ki 9:30).
image = pillar, or statue (which Ahab had made. Compare 2Ki 10:18). 1Ki 19:18. Others remained (2Ki 10:26, 2Ki 10:27).
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
1Sa 15:19, 1Ki 16:19
wrought: 2Ki 6:31, 2Ki 6:32, 2Ki 21:6, 2Ki 21:20
but not: 1Ki 16:33, 1Ki 21:20, 1Ki 21:25
and like: 2Ki 9:22, 2Ki 9:34, 1Ki 21:5-15, 1Ki 21:25
image: Heb. statue
Baal: 2Ki 10:18, 2Ki 10:26-28, 1Ki 16:31, 1Ki 16:32
Reciprocal: 1Ki 16:30 – above 1Ki 22:53 – he served Baal 2Ki 8:18 – in the way 2Ki 17:2 – but not as the kings
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Ki 3:2-3. He put away the image of Baal It was much that his mother, who had brought this worship with her from the Zidonians, should suffer him to remove this image; but she was probably a little daunted at the many disasters which had befallen their family, and was contented with worshipping Baal in private. Nevertheless, he cleaved unto the sins of Jeroboam Though he put away the image and worship of Baal, resolving to worship Jehovah only, yet he continued to worship him under the representation of a calf, which was idolatry, though in a less degree. This kind of worship all the kings of Israel kept up, as a wall of partition between their subjects and those of Judah. They intended hereby to keep their people from going up to worship at Jerusalem, lest, if they did so, they might, by degrees, be brought to submit again to the kings of Judah. Thus Jehoram: he had a little religion, such as it was, but not enough to overrule his policy.