1 In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign.
2 Sixteen years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned two and fifty years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name [was] Jecholiah of Jerusalem.
3 And he did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done;
4 Save that the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places.
5 And the LORD smote the king, so that he was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house. And Jotham the king’s son [was] over the house, judging the people of the land.
6 And the rest of the acts of Azariah, and all that he did, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
7 So Azariah slept with his fathers; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.
8 In the thirty and eighth year of Azariah king of Judah did Zachariah the son of Jeroboam reign over Israel in Samaria six months.
9 And he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD, as his fathers had done: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.
10 And Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him, and smote him before the people, and slew him, and reigned in his stead.
11 And the rest of the acts of Zachariah, behold, they [are] written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.
12 This [was] the word of the LORD which he spake unto Jehu, saying, Thy sons shall sit on the throne of Israel unto the fourth [generation]. And so it came to pass.
13 Shallum the son of Jabesh began to reign in the nine and thirtieth year of Uzziah king of Judah; and he reigned a full month in Samaria.
14 For Menahem the son of Gadi went up from Tirzah, and came to Samaria, and smote Shallum the son of Jabesh in Samaria, and slew him, and reigned in his stead.
15 And the rest of the acts of Shallum, and his conspiracy which he made, behold, they [are] written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.
16 Then Menahem smote Tiphsah, and all that [were] therein, and the coasts thereof from Tirzah: because they opened not [to him], therefore he smote [it; and] all the women therein that were with child he ripped up.
17 In the nine and thirtieth year of Azariah king of Judah began Menahem the son of Gadi to reign over Israel, [and reigned] ten years in Samaria.
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.
19 [And] Pul the king of Assyria came against the land: and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand.
20 And Menahem exacted the money of Israel, [even] of all the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and stayed not there in the land.
21 And the rest of the acts of Menahem, and all that he did, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
22 And Menahem slept with his fathers; and Pekahiah his son reigned in his stead.
23 In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah Pekahiah the son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria, [and reigned] two years.
24 And he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.
25 But Pekah the son of Remaliah, a captain of his, conspired against him, and smote him in Samaria, in the palace of the king’s house, with Argob and Arieh, and with him fifty men of the Gileadites: and he killed him, and reigned in his room.
26 And the rest of the acts of Pekahiah, and all that he did, behold, they [are] written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.
27 In the two and fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah Pekah the son of Remaliah began to reign over Israel in Samaria, [and reigned] twenty years.
28 And he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.
29 In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abelbethmaachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria.
30 And Hoshea the son of Elah made a conspiracy against Pekah the son of Remaliah, and smote him, and slew him, and reigned in his stead, in the twentieth year of Jotham the son of Uzziah.
31 And the rest of the acts of Pekah, and all that he did, behold, they [are] written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.
32 In the second year of Pekah the son of Remaliah king of Israel began Jotham the son of Uzziah king of Judah to reign.
33 Five and twenty years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name [was] Jerusha, the daughter of Zadok.
34 And he did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD: he did according to all that his father Uzziah had done.
35 Howbeit the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places. He built the higher gate of the house of the LORD.
36 Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all that he did, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
37 In those days the LORD began to send against Judah Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah.
38 And Jotham slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Ahaz his son reigned in his stead.
Overview of 2 Kings Chapter 15
2 Kings Chapter 15 provides a historical account of the reigns of various kings of Israel and Judah, detailing their actions, the political climate, and the consequences of their leadership. This chapter highlights the cyclical nature of sin and judgment in Israel’s history, along with the prophetic warnings that accompany the kings’ reigns.
Key Figures
- Azariah (Uzziah): King of Judah, known for his long reign and military successes.
- Zechariah: Son of Jeroboam II, king of Israel, whose reign was brief.
- Shallum: Usurper who killed Zechariah and took the throne of Israel.
- Menahem: King of Israel known for his brutality and tribute to Assyria.
- Pekahiah: Son of Menahem, ruled briefly before being assassinated.
- Pekah: Military leader who assassinated Pekahiah and took over as king.
- Jotham: Son of Azariah, king of Judah, who continued his father’s policies.
Chronological Structure
- Azariah’s Reign (Judah)
- Length of reign: 52 years.
- Notable achievements: Military victories and construction projects.
- Spiritual failures: Despite his successes, he did not remove the high places for worship.
- Zechariah’s Reign (Israel)
- Length of reign: 6 months.
- Significance: Last king of the dynasty of Jehu.
- End of reign: Assassinated by Shallum.
- Shallum’s Reign (Israel)
- Length of reign: 1 month.
- End of reign: Killed by Menahem.
- Menahem’s Reign (Israel)
- Length of reign: 10 years.
- Actions: Paid tribute to Assyria to maintain peace.
- Brutality: Known for violence against the people of Tiphsah.
- Pekahiah’s Reign (Israel)
- Length of reign: 2 years.
- End of reign: Assassinated by Pekah.
- Pekah’s Reign (Israel)
- Length of reign: 20 years.
- Military actions: Engaged in conflicts with Judah.
- End of reign: Overthrown by Hoshea.
- Jotham’s Reign (Judah)
- Length of reign: 16 years.
- Continued the policies of his father Azariah.
- Spiritual condition: Did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.
Thematic Elements
- Judgment and Consequences: Each king’s reign is marked by their adherence or failure to follow God, leading to consequences for Israel and Judah.
- Political Turmoil: The chapter illustrates the instability in Israel, with frequent coups and assassinations, reflecting the lack of divine favor.
- Prophetic Warnings: The actions of the kings often lead to prophetic messages warning of impending judgment, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness to God.
- Legacy of Sin: The repeated mention of high places and idolatry indicates a persistent issue in both kingdoms, leading to their eventual downfall.
Conclusion
2 Kings Chapter 15 serves as a critical reflection on the leadership in Israel and Judah, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness to God and the dire consequences of turning away from Him. The chapter encapsulates the cyclical pattern of sin, judgment, and the need for repentance, providing a sobering reminder of the impact of leadership on a nation.
