(18) He did that which was evil.--Ewald says that at the outset Menahem appeared to be guided by better principles, referring to Zechariah 11:4-8.

All his days.--In the Hebrew these words occur at the end of the verse. They are not found in any other instance of the common formula which the verse repeats (comp. 1Kings 15:26; 1Kings 15:34; 1Kings 16:26; 1Kings 22:53; 2Kings 3:1; 2Kings 10:31, &c), and almost certainly belong to the next verse.

From the sins.--Heb., from upon the sins, which is peculiar. The reading of the LXX., "from all the sins," appears right.

Verse 18. - And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord: he departed not all his days from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. The writer does not seem to regard Menahem as either better or worse than his predecessors. The usual formula suffices to describe the moral and religious aspect of his reign.

15:8-31 This history shows Israel in confusion. Though Judah was not without troubles, yet that kingdom was happy, compared with the state of Israel. The imperfections of true believers are very different from the allowed wickedness of ungodly men. Such is human nature, such are our hearts, if left to themselves, deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. We have reason to be thankful for restraints, for being kept out of temptation, and should beg of God to renew a right spirit within us.And he did that which was evil,.... The same character is given of him as of those before him, 2 Kings 15:9.