2 Kings 15:1

2Ki 15:1-7. Azariah's Reign over Judah. 1-7. In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam--It is thought that the throne of Judah continued vacant eleven or twelve years, between the death of Amaziah and the inauguration of his son Azariah. Being a child only four years old when his father was murdered, a regency was appointed during Azariah's minority. began Azariah ... to reign--The character of his reign is described by the brief formula employed by the inspired historian, in recording the religious policy of the later kings. But his reign was a very active as well as eventful one, and is fully related (2Ch 26:1-23). Elated by the possession of great power, and presumptuously arrogating to himself, as did the heathen kings, the functions both of the real and sacerdotal offices, he was punished with leprosy, which, as the offense was capital (Nu 8:7), was equivalent to death, for this disease excluded him from all society. While Jotham, his son, as his viceroy, administered the affairs of the kingdom--being about fifteen years of age (compare 2Ki 15:33)--he had to dwell in a place apart by himself (see on 2Ki 7:3). After a long reign he died, and was buried in the royal burying-field, though not in the royal cemetery of "the city of David" (2Ch 26:23). 2Ki 15:8-16. Zechariah's Reign over Israel.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Introduction

Azariah begins to reign over Judah, and acts well, but does not remove the high places, 2Kgs 15:1-4. He becomes leprous, and dies, after having reigned fifty-two years; and Jotham, his son, reigns in his stead, 2Kgs 15:5-7. Zachariah reigns over Israel, and acts wickedly; and Shallum conspires against him and slays him, after he had reigned six months, 2Kgs 15:8-12. Shallum reigns one month, and is slain by Menahem, 2Kgs 15:13-15. Menahem's wicked and oppressive reign; he subsidizes the king of Assyria, and dies, after having reigned ten years, 2Kgs 15:16-22. Pekahiah, his son, reigns in his stead; does wickedly; Pekah, one of his captains, conspires against and kills him, after he had reigned two years, 2Kgs 15:23-26. Pekah reigns in his stead, and acts wickedly, 2Kgs 15:27-28. Tiglath-pileser, king of Assyria, carries into captivity the inhabitants of many cities, 2Kgs 15:29. Hoshea conspires against and slays Pekah, after he had reigned twenty years; and reigns in his stead, 2Kgs 15:30, 2Kgs 15:31. Jotham beans to reign over Judah; he reigns well; dies after a reign of sixteen years, and is succeeded by his son Ahaz, 2Kgs 15:32-38. Verse 1 In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam - Dr. Kennicott complains loudly here, because of "the corruption in the name of this king of Judah, who is expressed by four different names in this chapter: Ozriah, Oziah, Ozrihu, and Ozihu. Our oldest Hebrew MS. relieves us here by reading truly, in 2Kgs 15:1, 2Kgs 15:6, 2Kgs 15:7, עזיהו Uzziah, where the printed text is differently corrupted. This reading is called true, 1. Because it is supported by the Syriac and Arabic versions in these three verses. 2. Because the printed text itself has it so in 2Kgs 15:32, 2Kgs 15:34 of this very chapter. 3. Because it is so expressed in the parallel place in Chronicles; and, 4. Because it is not Αζαριας, Azariah, but Οζιας, Oziah, (Uzziah), in St. Matthew's genealogy." There are insuperable difficulties in the chronology of this place. The marginal note says, "This is the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam's partnership in the kingdom with his father, who made him consort at his going to the Syrian wars. It is the sixteenth year of Jeroboam's monarchy." Dr. Lightfoot endeavors to reconcile this place with 2Kgs 14:16, 2Kgs 14:17, thus: "At the death of Amaziah, his son and heir Uzziah was but four years old, for he was about sixteen in Jeroboam's twenty-seventh year; therefore, the throne must have been empty eleven years, and the government administered by protectors while Uzziah was in his minority." Learned men are not agreed concerning the mode of reconciling these differences; there is probably some mistake in the numbers. I must say to all the contending chronologers: - Non nostrum inter vos tantas componere lites. When such men disagree, I can't decide.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Uzziah did for the most part that which was right. It was happy for the kingdom that a good reign was a long one.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain