II Kings 15: A Kingdom Divided and Declining
In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign.
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.
And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah had done;
Save that the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places.
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.
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?
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.
In the thirty and eighth year of Azariah king of Judah did Zachariah the son of Jeroboam reign over Israel in Samaria six months.
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.
And Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him, and smote him before the people, and slew him, and reigned in his stead.
And the rest of the acts of Zachariah, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
And Menahem slept with his fathers; and Pekahiah his son reigned in his stead.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglath–pileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abel–beth–maachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria.
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.
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.
In the second year of Pekah the son of Remaliah king of Israel began Jotham the son of Uzziah king of Judah to reign.
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.
And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord: he did according to all that his father Uzziah had done.
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.
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?
In those days the Lord began to send against Judah Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah.
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.
II Kings 15 presents a stark picture of the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah, highlighting a period of political instability, moral decay, and the looming threat of foreign invasion. The chapter chronicles the reigns of several kings, both righteous and wicked, illustrating the consequences of obedience and disobedience to God. It serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of leadership and its impact on the spiritual and national well-being of a nation.
Azariah (Uzziah) King of Judah (II Kings 15:1-7)
The narrative shifts back to the southern kingdom of Judah with the reign of Azariah, also known as Uzziah (II Kings 15:1, 15:13, 15:30). Azariah's reign, spanning fifty-two years, was one of the longest in either kingdom. The author notes that Azariah "did what was right in the eyes of the LORD" (II Kings 15:3), yet, like many of his predecessors, he failed to remove the high places (II Kings 15:4). This persistent failure to fully eradicate idolatrous practices reveals a deep-seated spiritual compromise within the kingdom.
While II Kings briefly mentions Azariah's reign, it omits key details found in II Chronicles. II Chronicles 26:1-23 provides a more comprehensive account, revealing that Uzziah initially sought the Lord and experienced significant success, expanding Judah's territory. However, his heart became proud, leading him to usurp the priestly role by entering the temple to offer incense. This act of arrogance resulted in God striking him with a serious skin disease, forcing him to live in isolation until his death. His son Jotham administered the kingdom in his stead. The Chronicler's focus on Judah's kings allows for a more detailed examination of Uzziah's life, demonstrating the dangers of pride and the importance of remaining humble before God.
The Tumultuous Reigns in Israel (II Kings 15:8-31)
The chapter then turns its attention to the northern kingdom of Israel, where political instability and violence reigned supreme.
Zechariah and Shallum (II Kings 15:8-15)
Zechariah, the son of Jeroboam II, reigned for a mere six months before being assassinated by Shallum (II Kings 15:8-10). This short reign fulfilled God's promise to Jehu that four generations of his descendants would sit on the throne of Israel (II Kings 15:12). However, Shallum's reign was even shorter, lasting only one month before he was overthrown and killed by Menahem (II Kings 15:13-14). This rapid succession of assassinations highlights the lawlessness and moral decay that plagued the northern kingdom.
Menahem (II Kings 15:16-22)
Menahem's reign was marked by brutality and oppression. He demonstrated his ruthlessness by attacking the town of Tiphsah, inflicting unspeakable violence upon its inhabitants, including pregnant women and children (II Kings 15:16). This act of barbarity underscores the depth of depravity to which humanity can sink when separated from God.
During Menahem's reign, the Assyrian empire, under King Pul (also known as Tiglath-pileser III), began to exert its influence over Israel (II Kings 15:19). This marks the first significant mention of Assyria in II Kings, foreshadowing the eventual conquest and exile of the northern kingdom. To appease the Assyrian king and secure his support, Menahem exacted a heavy tax on the wealthy men of Israel (II Kings 15:20). This act further alienated him from his people and demonstrated his willingness to compromise national interests for personal gain.
Pekahiah and Pekah (II Kings 15:23-31)
Menahem's son, Pekahiah, continued in the wicked ways of Jeroboam, perpetuating the idolatry that had become ingrained in Israelite society (II Kings 15:23-24). He was assassinated by Pekah, one of his officers, who seized the throne in yet another coup (II Kings 15:25).
Pekah's reign, lasting twenty years, was another dark chapter in Israel's history (II Kings 15:27-28). During his reign, King Tiglath-pileser of Assyria invaded Israel and captured significant territory, including the region of Naphtali, deporting its inhabitants to Assyria (II Kings 15:29). This invasion marked a significant loss for Israel and brought the kingdom closer to its ultimate demise. Pekah was eventually assassinated by Hoshea, who then claimed the throne (II Kings 15:30). The repeated cycles of violence and political instability demonstrate the utter chaos and spiritual bankruptcy of the northern kingdom.
Jotham King of Judah (II Kings 15:32-38)
The narrative returns to Judah with the reign of Jotham, who succeeded his father Uzziah (II Kings 15:32-33). Jotham followed in his father's footsteps, doing what was right in the eyes of the LORD (II Kings 15:34). However, like his predecessors, he failed to remove the high places (II Kings 15:35). While Jotham's reign was characterized by righteousness, the continued presence of idolatrous practices foreshadowed future judgment.
In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign.
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.
And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah had done;
Save that the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places.
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.
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?
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.
In the thirty and eighth year of Azariah king of Judah did Zachariah the son of Jeroboam reign over Israel in Samaria six months.
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.
And Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him, and smote him before the people, and slew him, and reigned in his stead.
And the rest of the acts of Zachariah, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
And Menahem slept with his fathers; and Pekahiah his son reigned in his stead.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglath–pileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abel–beth–maachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria.
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.
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.
In the second year of Pekah the son of Remaliah king of Israel began Jotham the son of Uzziah king of Judah to reign.
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.
And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord: he did according to all that his father Uzziah had done.
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.
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?
In those days the Lord began to send against Judah Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah.
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.
II Kings 15 presents a stark picture of the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah, highlighting a period of political instability, moral decay, and the looming threat of foreign invasion. The chapter chronicles the reigns of several kings, both righteous and wicked, illustrating the consequences of obedience and disobedience to God. It serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of leadership and its impact on the spiritual and national well-being of a nation.
Azariah (Uzziah) King of Judah (II Kings 15:1-7)
The narrative shifts back to the southern kingdom of Judah with the reign of Azariah, also known as Uzziah (II Kings 15:1, 15:13, 15:30). Azariah's reign, spanning fifty-two years, was one of the longest in either kingdom. The author notes that Azariah "did what was right in the eyes of the LORD" (II Kings 15:3), yet, like many of his predecessors, he failed to remove the high places (II Kings 15:4). This persistent failure to fully eradicate idolatrous practices reveals a deep-seated spiritual compromise within the kingdom.
While II Kings briefly mentions Azariah's reign, it omits key details found in II Chronicles. II Chronicles 26:1-23 provides a more comprehensive account, revealing that Uzziah initially sought the Lord and experienced significant success, expanding Judah's territory. However, his heart became proud, leading him to usurp the priestly role by entering the temple to offer incense. This act of arrogance resulted in God striking him with a serious skin disease, forcing him to live in isolation until his death. His son Jotham administered the kingdom in his stead. The Chronicler's focus on Judah's kings allows for a more detailed examination of Uzziah's life, demonstrating the dangers of pride and the importance of remaining humble before God.
The Tumultuous Reigns in Israel (II Kings 15:8-31)
The chapter then turns its attention to the northern kingdom of Israel, where political instability and violence reigned supreme.
Zechariah and Shallum (II Kings 15:8-15)
Zechariah, the son of Jeroboam II, reigned for a mere six months before being assassinated by Shallum (II Kings 15:8-10). This short reign fulfilled God's promise to Jehu that four generations of his descendants would sit on the throne of Israel (II Kings 15:12). However, Shallum's reign was even shorter, lasting only one month before he was overthrown and killed by Menahem (II Kings 15:13-14). This rapid succession of assassinations highlights the lawlessness and moral decay that plagued the northern kingdom.
Menahem (II Kings 15:16-22)
Menahem's reign was marked by brutality and oppression. He demonstrated his ruthlessness by attacking the town of Tiphsah, inflicting unspeakable violence upon its inhabitants, including pregnant women and children (II Kings 15:16). This act of barbarity underscores the depth of depravity to which humanity can sink when separated from God.
During Menahem's reign, the Assyrian empire, under King Pul (also known as Tiglath-pileser III), began to exert its influence over Israel (II Kings 15:19). This marks the first significant mention of Assyria in II Kings, foreshadowing the eventual conquest and exile of the northern kingdom. To appease the Assyrian king and secure his support, Menahem exacted a heavy tax on the wealthy men of Israel (II Kings 15:20). This act further alienated him from his people and demonstrated his willingness to compromise national interests for personal gain.
Pekahiah and Pekah (II Kings 15:23-31)
Menahem's son, Pekahiah, continued in the wicked ways of Jeroboam, perpetuating the idolatry that had become ingrained in Israelite society (II Kings 15:23-24). He was assassinated by Pekah, one of his officers, who seized the throne in yet another coup (II Kings 15:25).
Pekah's reign, lasting twenty years, was another dark chapter in Israel's history (II Kings 15:27-28). During his reign, King Tiglath-pileser of Assyria invaded Israel and captured significant territory, including the region of Naphtali, deporting its inhabitants to Assyria (II Kings 15:29). This invasion marked a significant loss for Israel and brought the kingdom closer to its ultimate demise. Pekah was eventually assassinated by Hoshea, who then claimed the throne (II Kings 15:30). The repeated cycles of violence and political instability demonstrate the utter chaos and spiritual bankruptcy of the northern kingdom.
Jotham King of Judah (II Kings 15:32-38)
The narrative returns to Judah with the reign of Jotham, who succeeded his father Uzziah (II Kings 15:32-33). Jotham followed in his father's footsteps, doing what was right in the eyes of the LORD (II Kings 15:34). However, like his predecessors, he failed to remove the high places (II Kings 15:35). While Jotham's reign was characterized by righteousness, the continued presence of idolatrous practices foreshadowed future judgment.