Overview
Zachariah son of Jeroboam II became king of Israel and walked in the sins of his father, not departing from the idolatry that characterized the northern kingdom. His reign lasted only six months before he was struck down in a conspiracy, fulfilling God's prophetic word to Jehu that his descendants would sit on Israel's throne to the fourth generation.
Key Scriptures
"In the thirty-eighth year of Azariah king of Judah, Zechariah the son of Jeroboam became king over Israel in Samaria, and reigned six months" (2 Kings 15:8, NASB).
"He did evil in the sight of the LORD, as his fathers had done; he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel sin" (2 Kings 15:9, NASB).
"Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him and struck him down before the people and killed him, and reigned in his place" (2 Kings 15:10, NASB).
Application
Zachariah's brief and violent reign reminds us that continued rebellion against God's truth leads to instability and judgment, while faithfulness to His Word brings lasting blessing.