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2 Kings 15 Ahaziah Reigns in Judah

1 Azariah King of Judah
In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah began to reign.

2 He was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. His mother’s name was Jecoliah; she was from Jerusalem.

3 He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father Amaziah had done.

4 The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.

5 The Lord afflicted the king with leprosy until the day he died, and he lived in a separate house. Jotham the king’s son had charge of the palace and governed the people of the land.

6 As for the other events of Azariah’s reign, and all he did, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah?

7 Azariah rested with his fathers and was buried near them in the City of David. And Jotham his son succeeded him as king.

8 Zechariah King of Israel
In the thirty-eighth year of Azariah king of Judah, Zechariah son of Jeroboam became king of Israel in Samaria, and he reigned six months.

9 He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, as his fathers had done. He did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit.

10 Shallum son of Jabesh conspired against Zechariah. He attacked him in front of the people, assassinated him and succeeded him as king.

11 The other events of Zechariah’s reign are written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel.

12 So the word of the Lord spoken to Jehu was fulfilled: “Your descendants will sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation.”

13 Shallum King of Israel
Shallum son of Jabesh became king in the thirty-ninth year of Uzziah king of Judah, and he reigned in Samaria one month.

14 Then Menahem son of Gadi went from Tirzah up to Samaria. He attacked Shallum son of Jabesh in Samaria, assassinated him and succeeded him as king.

15 The other events of Shallum’s reign, and the conspiracy he led, are written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel.

16 At that time Menahem, starting out from Tirzah, attacked Tiphsah and everyone in the city and its vicinity, because they refused to open their gates. He sacked Tiphsah and ripped open all the pregnant women.

17 Menahem King of Israel
In the thirty-ninth year of Azariah king of Judah, Menahem son of Gadi became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria ten years.

18 He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. During his entire reign he did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit.

19 Then Pul king of Assyria invaded the land, and Menahem gave him a thousand talents of silver to gain his support and strengthen his own hold on the kingdom.

20 Menahem exacted this money from Israel. Every wealthy man had to contribute fifty shekels of silver to be given to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria withdrew and stayed in the land no longer.

21 As for the other events of Menahem’s reign, and all he did, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel?

22 Menahem rested with his fathers. And Pekahiah his son succeeded him as king.

23 Pekahiah King of Israel
In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah, Pekahiah son of Menahem became king of Israel in Samaria, and he reigned two years.

24 Pekahiah did evil in the eyes of the Lord. He did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit.

25 One of his chief officers, Pekah son of Remaliah, conspired against him. Taking fifty men of Gilead with him, he assassinated Pekahiah, along with Argob and Arieh, in the citadel of the royal palace at Samaria. So Pekah killed Pekahiah and succeeded him as king.

26 The other events of Pekahiah’s reign, and all he did, are written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel.

27 Pekah King of Israel
In the fifty-second year of Azariah king of Judah, Pekah son of Remaliah became king of Israel in Samaria, and he reigned twenty years.

28 He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. He did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit.

29 In the time of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria came and took Ijon, Abel Beth Maacah, Janoah, Kedesh and Hazor. He took Gilead and Galilee, including all the land of Naphtali, and deported the people to Assyria.

30 Then Hoshea son of Elah conspired against Pekah son of Remaliah. He attacked and assassinated him, and then succeeded him as king in the twentieth year of Jotham son of Uzziah.

31 As for the other events of Pekah’s reign, and all he did, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel?

32 Jotham King of Judah
In the second year of Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel, Jotham son of Uzziah king of Judah began to reign.

33 He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. His mother’s name was Jerusha daughter of Zadok.

34 He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father Uzziah had done.

35 The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there. Jotham rebuilt the Upper Gate of the temple of the Lord.

36 As for the other events of Jotham’s reign, and what he did, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah?

37 (In those days the Lord began to send Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah against Judah.)

38 Jotham rested with his fathers and was buried with them in the City of David, the city of his father. And Ahaz his son succeeded him as king.

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Analysis of 2 Kings Chapter 15

2 Kings Chapter 15 serves as a critical segment in the biblical narrative, outlining a series of monarchic reigns over both Israel and Judah. This chapter is a series of successive kingships, and it paints a tumultuous picture of the governance and oftentimes short-lived reigns. The fluctuating fidelity of these leaders towards God, especially in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, brings forth lessons on leadership, righteousness, and divine judgment.

Verses 1-7: Azariah (Uzziah) Reigns in Judah

Azariah, also known as Uzziah, begins his reign over Judah in verse 1 and continues to verse 7. Azariah’s ascent to the throne at the age of sixteen marks the continuation of the Davidic line. His reign of fifty-two years signifies stability in a time of political upheaval.

“In the twenty-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.”

Azariah, unlike many of his predecessors, “did that which was right in the sight of the Lord,” indicating his alignment with divine ordinances. However, the text also records that the high places were not removed, suggesting a partial reform (v. 4). The coexistence of devoted worship to God and the neglect in eradicating idolatrous practices is a reflection of his incomplete dedication.

The punishment for Azariah’s half-hearted reform comes in the form of leprosy (v. 5). The king, incapacitated due to his condition, is effectively isolated, with Jotham his son assuming the responsibilities of governance. Azariah’s affliction and subsequent isolation underscore the biblical theme that partial obedience to God’s commandments leads to inevitable repercussions. This situation leads readers to contemplate the importance of full-hearted devotion to God’s principles.

Verses 8-12: Zechariah’s Reign in Israel

Following Azariah’s narrative, the chapter transitions to Zechariah, king of Israel. Zechariah’s brief reign of six months symbolizes the instability and corruption prevailing in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Zechariah’s actions provoke divine displeasure, for “he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord” by continuing the sins of Jeroboam (v. 9).

“And Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him, and smote him before the people, and slew him, and reigned in his stead.”

Zechariah’s assassination by Shallum (v. 10) fulfills the prophecy given to Jehu that his dynasty would persist for four generations. The abrupt end of Zechariah’s reign accentuates the divine retribution meted out upon leaders who deviate from righteousness. This transition between rulers in Israel mirrors the kingdom’s spiritual decay and the societal chaos that accompanies moral decline.

Verses 13-16: The Reign of Shallum

Shallum occupies the throne for a mere month before facing assassination by Menahem, son of Gadi, revealing a power struggle that leads to rapid transitions between kings (v. 13). The brevity of Shallum’s reign starkly contrasts the prolonged, relatively stable reigns in Judah.

“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.”

Shallum’s assassination (v. 14) and the savage conquest of Tiphsah by Menahem illustrate the violent nature of Israel’s political landscape. Such brutality is indicative of the grim moral decline within the nation, pointing to a failure to uphold God’s commandments regarding justice and compassion.

Verses 17-22: The Reign of Menahem

Menahem’s ten-year reign continues the narrative arc of violence and iniquity. His payments to Pul, the king of Assyria, highlight the political subjugation and extrinsic pressures faced by Israel (v. 19). Menahem’s underhanded tactics in maintaining power reflect the broader themes of compromised integrity and spiritual defection.

“But Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand.”

Menahem’s bribery of Pul frames a vivid picture of Israel’s dependency on foreign powers, exacerbating their vulnerability and showcasing a departure from reliance on divine providence. The coercion of the wealthy to fund this bribery reveals systemic corruption and exploitation. Verses 22 concludes Menahem’s narrative by tracing his death and the ascension of his son, Pekahiah, to the throne.

Verses 23-26: The Reign of Pekahiah

Pekahiah’s two-year reign mirrors his predecessor’s iniquitous ways, serving as a testament to the perpetuation of unfaithfulness among Israel’s leaders (v. 24). His assassination by Pekah, son of Remaliah, and the involvement of fifty men from Gilead indicates further the pervasive treachery within the kingdom.

“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.”

The conspiratorial murder of Pekahiah (v. 25) further underscores the instability and illustrates the cyclical violence prevalent in Israel. These recurring themes of betrayal and rebellion starkly contrast the Judean commitment, moderate though it may be, to the Davidic lineage and divine statutes.

Verses 27-31: The Reign of Pekah

Pekah’s twenty-year rule (v. 27) over Israel brings yet another episode in the continuing saga of disobedience. His reign, characterized by “evil in the sight of the Lord,” perpetuates the sins instigated by Jeroboam, reinforcing the spiritual decline (v. 28). During Pekah’s tenure, Tiglath-pileser III of Assyria captures several territories, signifying the encroachment of foreign powers and further disintegration of Israel’s sovereignty.

“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.”

Pekah’s assassination (v. 30) by Hoshea epitomizes the constant power shifts and highlights the inherent instability of Israel. This assassination is coupled with the prophetic realization of Israel’s decline due to persistent disobedience to God.

Verses 32-38: Jotham’s Reign in Judah

Concluding the chapter, Jotham, son of Uzziah, assumes the throne over Judah. Jotham’s sixteen-year reign is noted for his righteousness and his construction ventures, hinting at a degree of prosperity and stability (v. 34). However, Jotham, like his predecessors, fails to remove the high places, indicative of his incomplete fidelity to God’s commandments (v. 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.”

During Jotham’s tenure, Rezin of Aram and Pekah of Israel mount pressures against Judah, foreshadowing the challenges faced by subsequent Judean kings and hinting at future conflicts narrated in subsequent chapters (v. 37). Jotham’s deeds align with the principles of righteousness, yet his failure to fully eradicate idolatry underscores a theme of partial obedience among the Judean kings.

Conclusion

Chapter 15 of 2 Kings vividly portrays the rapid succession of monarchs, the stark dichotomy between partial obedience and outright rebellion, and the severe consequences of deviation from divine statutes. Through a contemplation of these rulers, readers gain insights into the integral link between spiritual fidelity and political stability. The repetitive cycles of assassination, rebellion, and foreign subjugation exemplify the broader principle that disobedience to divine commandments precipitates societal collapse. Conversely, the Judean kings’ partial adherence to God’s laws, albeit flawed, showcases the relative stability achievable through divine favor.

This analysis of 2 Kings 15 thus serves as a meditation on the imperatives of complete obedience, righteous leadership, and the inevitable spiritual and political ramifications of moral defection. It encourages readers to reflect upon the importance of faithfulness to God’s commandments in fostering lasting peace and prosperity.