Jonah had prophesied this as the Lord commanded. This verse says why the Lord made Jeroboam and Israel so successful. The reason is not God’s gracious reward (as with David), but pity. During the reign of Jeroboam’s father (Joash) and grandfather (Jehoahaz), Israel had suffered greatly (see e.g., 2 Kings 13:3, 2 Kings 13:6, 2 Kings 13:20, and 2 Kings 13:22). This verse calls this the “affliction of Israel was very bitter”; and added: “there was none to help Israel.” This will change, we read in the next verse.
26 For the LORD saw that the affliction of Israel was very bitter, for there was none left, bond or free, and there was none to help Israel.