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Jeroboam

2 Kings 14:25
"He restored the coast of Israel from the entering of Hamath unto the sea of the plain, according to the word of the LORD God of Israel, which he spake by the hand of His servant Jonah, the son of Amittai, the prophet, which was of Gathhepher."

We’re continuing our series on God’s calling of His people. Last week we saw how God transformed the Apostle Paul—from zealous enemy to greatest champion.

A clear theme is emerging: those God calls often start with reluctance. This week we meet one of the most famous reluctant prophets, Jonah.

Jonah’s first recorded prophecy appears in 2 Kings 14:25. He foretold that King Jeroboam II would restore Israel’s borders from Hamath to the Dead Sea. This prophecy came true, bringing a season of prosperity to the northern kingdom.

This historical note is important. It confirms Jonah was a real prophet whose words carried divine authority. By naming him “Jonah son of Amittai, the prophet from Gath-hepher,” Scripture anchors the hero of the Book of Jonah in actual history.

Interestingly, Jeroboam II was a wicked king who “did evil in the sight of the LORD” (2 Kings 14:24). Yet God still used him, and Jonah, to show mercy to Israel. This same mercy becomes central in the Book of Jonah. Jonah knew God’s character well: “gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster” (Jonah 4:2; cf. Exodus 34:6). He even quoted it. But he bitterly resisted the idea that this mercy could also extend to Israel’s hated enemy, Nineveh.
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