2 Kings 15
BSB1 In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam’s reign over Israel, Azariah son of Amaziah became king of Judah. 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 And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Amaziah had done. 4 Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense there. 5 And the LORD afflicted the king with leprosy until the day he died, so that he lived in a separate house while his son Jotham had charge of the palace and governed the people of the land. 6 As for the rest of the acts of Azariah, along with all his accomplishments, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? 7 And Azariah rested with his fathers and was buried near them in the City of David. And his son Jotham reigned in his place. 8 In the thirty-eighth year of Azariah’s reign over Judah, Zechariah son of Jeroboam became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria six months. 9 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, as his fathers had done. He did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit. 10 Then Shallum son of Jabesh conspired against Zechariah, struck him down and killed him in front of the people, and reigned in his place. 11 As for the rest of the acts of Zechariah, they are indeed written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel. 12 So the word of the LORD spoken to Jehu was fulfilled: “Four generations of your sons will sit on the throne of Israel." 13 In the thirty-ninth year of Uzziah’s reign over Judah, Shallum son of Jabesh became king, and he reigned in Samaria one full month. 14 Then Menahem son of Gadi went up from Tirzah to Samaria, struck down and killed Shallum son of Jabesh, and reigned in his place. 15 As for the rest of the acts of Shallum, along with the conspiracy he led, they are indeed written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel. 16 At that time Menahem, starting from Tirzah, attacked Tiphsah and everyone in its vicinity, because they would not open their gates. So he attacked Tiphsah and ripped open all the pregnant women. 17 In the thirty-ninth year of Azariah’s reign over Judah, Menahem son of Gadi became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria ten years. 18 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, and throughout his reign he did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit. 19 Then Pul king of Assyria invaded the land, and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver in order to gain his support and strengthen his own grip on the kingdom. 20 Menahem exacted this money from each of the wealthy men of Israel—fifty shekels of silver from each man—to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria withdrew and did not remain in the land. 21 As for the rest of the acts of Menahem, along with all his accomplishments, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? 22 And Menahem rested with his fathers, and his son Pekahiah reigned in his place. 23 In the fiftieth year of Azariah’s reign over Judah, Pekahiah son of Menahem became king of Israel and reigned in Samaria two years. 24 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD and did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit. 25 Then his officer, Pekah son of Remaliah, conspired against him along with Argob, Arieh, and fifty men of Gilead. And at the citadel of the king’s palace in Samaria, Pekah struck down and killed Pekahiah and reigned in his place. 26 As for the rest of the acts of Pekahiah, along with all his accomplishments, they are indeed written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel. 27 In the fifty-second year of Azariah’s reign over Judah, Pekah son of Remaliah became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria twenty years. 28 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD and did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit. 29 In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria came and captured Ijon, Abel-beth-maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee, including all the land of Naphtali, and he took the people as captives to Assyria. 30 Then Hoshea son of Elah led a conspiracy against Pekah son of Remaliah. In the twentieth year of Jotham son of Uzziah, Hoshea attacked Pekah, killed him, and reigned in his place. 31 As for the rest of the acts of Pekah, along with all his accomplishments, they are indeed written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel. 32 In the second year of the reign of Pekah son of Remaliah over Israel, Jotham son of Uzziah became king of Judah. 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 And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Uzziah had done. 35 Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense there. Jotham rebuilt the Upper Gate of the house of the LORD. 36 As for the rest of the acts of Jotham, along with his accomplishments, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles 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 And Jotham rested with his fathers and was buried with them in the City of David his father. And his son Ahaz reigned in his place.
Study Notes — 2 Kings 15
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from 2 Kings 15
- Themes from 2 Kings 15
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on 2 Kings 15
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
The chapter begins with the reign of Azariah in Judah, who did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but failed to remove the high places where the people sacrificed to God. The chapter then describes the reigns of several kings of Israel, including Zechariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah, and Pekah, all of whom did evil in the eyes of the Lord. The chapter also mentions the reign of Jotham in Judah, who did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. Throughout the chapter, the author emphasizes the cyclical pattern of sin, judgment, and restoration that characterizes the history of Israel and Judah. Key verses include 2 Kings 15:1-4, which describe the reign of Azariah, and 2 Kings 15:8-12, which describe the reign of Zechariah and the beginning of the end of the kingdom of Israel.
Context for the Chapter
This chapter is part of the larger narrative of 1 and 2 Kings, which describes the history of Israel and Judah from the reign of Solomon to the exile. The chapter is also part of the broader biblical narrative, which describes the creation, fall, and redemption of humanity. In this context, the chapter highlights the importance of faithfulness to God's covenant and the consequences of disobedience, and it points forward to the coming of Jesus Christ, who will bring redemption to His people and establish a new covenant with them.
Heart Application
As we read this chapter, we are reminded of the importance of faithfulness to God's commands and the consequences of disobedience. We are also encouraged to trust in God's sovereignty over all nations and to look forward to the coming of Jesus Christ, who will bring redemption to His people. May we be faithful to God's covenant and obey His commands, and may we trust in His sovereignty over all things.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
This chapter describes the reigns of several kings of Israel and Judah, highlighting their sinful actions and the consequent judgments from God. The chapter emphasizes the importance of faithfulness to God's covenant and the consequences of disobedience. As we read this chapter, we are reminded of the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty over all nations and looking forward to the coming of Jesus Christ, who will bring redemption to His people. See 2 Kings 15:1-4 and 2 Kings 15:8-12 for examples of this theme.
Voices from the Church
“The history of Israel and Judah is a solemn warning to us of the dangers of sin and the importance of faithfulness to God's covenant. May we heed this warning and trust in God's sovereignty over all things.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“The reigns of the kings of Israel and Judah are a reminder that God is the one who raises up and brings down leaders, and that He is the one who ultimately determines the course of history. May we trust in His sovereignty and obey His commands.”
— John Calvin
Outline for Preaching
- The Reign of Azariah in Judah (15:1-7) — Azariah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but failed to remove the high places where the people sacrificed to God. He was afflicted with leprosy and died after a reign of 52 years.
- The Reign of Zechariah in Israel (15:8-12) — Zechariah did evil in the eyes of the Lord and was assassinated by Shallum after a reign of six months. The word of the Lord which He spoke to Jehu was fulfilled in the reign of Zechariah.
- The Reign of Shallum in Israel (15:13-15) — Shallum did evil in the eyes of the Lord and was assassinated by Menahem after a reign of one month.
- The Reign of Menahem in Israel (15:16-22) — Menahem did evil in the eyes of the Lord and was punished by the king of Assyria. He reigned for ten years and was succeeded by his son Pekahiah.
- The Reign of Pekahiah in Israel (15:23-26) — Pekahiah did evil in the eyes of the Lord and was assassinated by Pekah after a reign of two years. Pekah did evil in the eyes of the Lord and reigned for 20 years.
Core Doctrines
- The Sovereignty of God
- This chapter highlights the sovereignty of God over all nations, including Israel and Judah. God is the one who raises up kings and brings them down, and He is the one who ultimately determines the course of history.
- The Importance of Faithfulness
- The chapter emphasizes the importance of faithfulness to God's covenant and the consequences of disobedience. The kings who are faithful to God are rewarded, while those who are unfaithful are punished.
- The Consequences of Sin
- The chapter describes the consequences of sin, including the judgments that God brings upon the nations and the punishment of the wicked. The chapter also emphasizes the importance of repentance and faithfulness to God's covenant.
- The Promise of Redemption
- The chapter points forward to the coming of Jesus Christ, who will bring redemption to His people and establish a new covenant with them. The chapter emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty over all things and looking forward to the coming of Christ.
Lessons from 2 Kings 15
- The Importance of Faithfulness — The chapter emphasizes the importance of faithfulness to God's covenant and the consequences of disobedience. We can learn from this the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty over all things and obeying His commands.
- The Sovereignty of God — The chapter highlights the sovereignty of God over all nations, including Israel and Judah. We can learn from this the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty over all things and looking forward to the coming of Christ.
- The Consequences of Sin — The chapter describes the consequences of sin, including the judgments that God brings upon the nations and the punishment of the wicked. We can learn from this the importance of repentance and faithfulness to God's covenant.
- The Promise of Redemption — The chapter points forward to the coming of Jesus Christ, who will bring redemption to His people and establish a new covenant with them. We can learn from this the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty over all things and looking forward to the coming of Christ.
- The Importance of Trusting in God's Sovereignty — The chapter emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty over all things, including the rise and fall of nations and the course of history. We can learn from this the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty over all things and obeying His commands.
Themes from 2 Kings 15
- The Cycle of Sin and Judgment — The chapter describes a cyclical pattern of sin, judgment, and restoration that characterizes the history of Israel and Judah. This pattern is evident in the reigns of the various kings, who often start out well but eventually turn to evil and are punished by God.
- The Importance of Faithfulness — The chapter emphasizes the importance of faithfulness to God's covenant and the consequences of disobedience. The kings who are faithful to God are rewarded, while those who are unfaithful are punished.
- The Sovereignty of God — The chapter highlights the sovereignty of God over all nations, including Israel and Judah. God is the one who raises up kings and brings them down, and He is the one who ultimately determines the course of history.
- The Consequences of Sin — The chapter describes the consequences of sin, including the judgments that God brings upon the nations and the punishment of the wicked. The chapter also emphasizes the importance of repentance and faithfulness to God's covenant.
- The Promise of Redemption — The chapter points forward to the coming of Jesus Christ, who will bring redemption to His people and establish a new covenant with them. The chapter emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty over all things and looking forward to the coming of Christ.
Questions for Meditation
- What can we learn from the reigns of the kings of Israel and Judah about the importance of faithfulness to God's covenant?
- How does the chapter describe the sovereignty of God over all nations, and what implications does this have for our understanding of history and politics?
- What are the consequences of sin, according to the chapter, and how can we avoid these consequences through repentance and faithfulness to God's covenant?
- How does the chapter point forward to the coming of Jesus Christ, and what implications does this have for our understanding of redemption and salvation?
- What can we learn from the chapter about the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty over all things, and how can we apply this to our lives?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. The Reign of Azariah in Judah (15:1-7)
| 15:1 | Azariah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but failed to remove the high places where the people sacrificed to God. |
| 15:2 | He was 16 years old when he became king, and he reigned 52 years in Jerusalem. |
| 15:3 | He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father Amaziah had done. |
| 15:4 | However, the high places were not removed; the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. |
| 15:5 | The Lord afflicted the king with leprosy until the day he died, and he lived in a separate house. |
| 15:6 | The rest of the events of Azariah's reign, from beginning to end, are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. |
| 15:7 | Azariah rested with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. His son Jotham succeeded him as king. |
2. The Reign of Zechariah in Israel (15:8-12)
| 15:8 | In the 38th year of Azariah king of Judah, Zechariah son of Jeroboam reigned over Israel in Samaria six months. |
| 15:9 | He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, just 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. |
| 15:10 | Shallum son of Jabesh conspired against Zechariah and struck him down in front of the people and killed him, and he reigned in his place. |
| 15:11 | As soon as he began to reign and was seated on his throne, he killed Jeroboam's entire household. He did not spare a single person, but destroyed them all, according to the word of the Lord spoken by Jehu the prophet. |
| 15:12 | The word of the Lord which He spoke to Jehu, saying, 'Your sons to the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel,' was fulfilled. |
3. The Reign of Shallum in Israel (15:13-15)
| 15:13 | Shallum son of Jabesh became king in the 39th year of Uzziah king of Judah, and he reigned one month in Samaria. |
| 15:14 | Menahem son of Gadi came up from Tirzah and captured Samaria, and he struck down Shallum son of Jabesh in Samaria and killed him and reigned in his place. |
| 15:15 | As for the rest of the events of Shallum's reign, and the conspiracy he led, they are written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel. |
4. The Reign of Menahem in Israel (15:16-22)
| 15:16 | Then Menahem struck Tiphsah and everyone in it and its borders from Tirzah on, because they did not open their gates to him; so he struck it and ripped open all the pregnant women. |
| 15:17 | In the 39th year of Azariah king of Judah, Menahem son of Gadi became king over Israel, and he reigned ten years in Samaria. |
| 15:18 | 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. |
| 15:19 | During his reign, Pul king of Assyria invaded the land, and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver so that his hand might be with him to strengthen the kingdom under his control. |
| 15:20 | Menahem exacted this money from Israel, from all the wealthy men, fifty shekels of silver from each one, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria withdrew and did not stay there in the land. |
| 15:21 | As for the rest of the events of Menahem's reign, and all he did, they are written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel. |
| 15:22 | Menahem rested with his fathers, and his son Pekahiah reigned in his place. |
5. The Reign of Pekahiah in Israel (15:23-26)
| 15:23 | In the 50th year of Azariah king of Judah, Pekahiah son of Menahem became king over Israel in Samaria, and he reigned two years. |
| 15:24 | 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. |
| 15:25 | Then Pekah son of Remaliah, his officer, conspired against him and struck him down in Samaria, in the citadel of the king's house, with Argob and Arieh; and with him were fifty men of the Gileadites, and he killed him and reigned in his place. |
| 15:26 | As for the rest of the events of Pekahiah's reign, and all he did, they are written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel. |
6. The Reign of Jotham in Judah (15:32-38)
| 15:32 | In the second year of Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, Jotham the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, became king. |
| 15:33 | He was 25 years old when he became king, and he reigned 16 years in Jerusalem; and his mother's name was Jerusha the daughter of Zadok. |
| 15:34 | He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord; he did according to all that his father Uzziah had done. |
| 15:35 | Only the high places were not removed; the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. |
| 15:36 | 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? |
| 15:37 | In those days the Lord began to send Rezin king of Aram and Pekah the son of Remaliah against Judah. |
| 15:38 | And Jotham slept with his fathers, and he was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father; and Ahaz his son became king in his place. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What can we learn from the reigns of the kings of Israel and Judah about the importance of faithfulness to God's covenant?
The chapter emphasizes the importance of faithfulness to God's covenant and the consequences of disobedience. The kings who are faithful to God are rewarded, while those who are unfaithful are punished. See 2 Kings 15:1-4 and 2 Kings 15:8-12 for examples of this theme.
How does the chapter describe the sovereignty of God over all nations, and what implications does this have for our understanding of history and politics?
The chapter highlights the sovereignty of God over all nations, including Israel and Judah. God is the one who raises up kings and brings them down, and He is the one who ultimately determines the course of history. This has significant implications for our understanding of history and politics, as it reminds us that God is the one who is ultimately in control.
What are the consequences of sin, according to the chapter, and how can we avoid these consequences through repentance and faithfulness to God's covenant?
The chapter describes the consequences of sin, including the judgments that God brings upon the nations and the punishment of the wicked. The chapter also emphasizes the importance of repentance and faithfulness to God's covenant, and reminds us that the kings who are faithful to God are rewarded, while those who are unfaithful are punished.
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Kings 15:1 → 2 Chronicles 26:1-23 | The reign of Azariah in Judah is also described in 2 Chronicles 26:1-23, which provides additional details about his reign and his faithfulness to God's covenant. |
| 2 | 2 Kings 15:8 → Hosea 1:1 | The prophet Hosea writes about the reign of Zechariah and the sins of Israel, and calls the people to repentance and faithfulness to God's covenant. |
| 3 | 2 Kings 15:12 → 1 Kings 19:16 | The word of the Lord which He spoke to Jehu is also mentioned in 1 Kings 19:16, which describes the prophecy of Jehu and the fulfillment of God's promise to him. |
| 4 | 2 Kings 15:13 → Amos 7:9-11 | The prophet Amos writes about the reign of Shallum and the sins of Israel, and calls the people to repentance and faithfulness to God's covenant. |
| 5 | 2 Kings 15:16 → Micah 6:16 | The prophet Micah writes about the sins of Israel and the consequences of their disobedience, and calls the people to repentance and faithfulness to God's covenant. |
| 6 | 2 Kings 15:23 → Isaiah 7:1-25 | The reign of Pekahiah in Israel is also mentioned in Isaiah 7:1-25, which describes the prophetic word of Isaiah and the fulfillment of God's promise to the people of Judah. |
| 7 | 2 Kings 15:25 → John 1:1 | The gospel of John writes about the coming of Jesus Christ, who will bring redemption to His people and establish a new covenant with them. This is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to the people of Israel and Judah. |
| 8 | 2 Kings 15:32 → Matthew 1:1-17 | The genealogy of Jesus Christ is recorded in Matthew 1:1-17, which includes the names of the kings of Judah, including Jotham. This emphasizes the importance of Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of God's promise to the people of Israel and Judah. |
| 9 | 2 Kings 15:37 → 2 Kings 16:1-20 | The reign of Ahaz in Judah is described in 2 Kings 16:1-20, which provides additional details about his reign and his faithlessness to God's covenant. |
| 10 | 2 Kings 15:38 → Isaiah 14:28-32 | The prophet Isaiah writes about the reign of Ahaz and the sins of Judah, and calls the people to repentance and faithfulness to God's covenant. |
Sermons on 2 Kings 15
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Uzziah, King of Judah, or the Danger of Success by Harry Ironside | Harry Ironside delivers a powerful sermon on King Uzziah of Judah, illustrating the peril of success and pride. Uzziah began his reign by seeking the Lord and prospered greatly, bu |
|
Holiness to See God by Glenn Meldrum | Glenn Meldrum preaches on the awe-inspiring encounters of the Almighty with humanity, emphasizing the need for divine revelations to transform us. Using Isaiah's vision of the Lord |
|
The Sins of Jeroboam, the Son of Nebat, by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer discusses the sins of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, emphasizing how his actions led Israel into sin and ultimately contributed to the nation's downfall. The sermon highlig |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on 2 Kings 15
In this chapter, we see the continuation of the cycle of sin and judgment that characterizes the history of Israel and Judah. The reigns of the various kings are marked by their faithfulness or unfaithfulness to God's covenant, and the consequences of their actions are evident in the judgments that God brings upon them. The chapter also highlights the sovereignty of God over all nations, and reminds us that He is the one who raises up kings and brings them down. As we read this chapter, we are encouraged to trust in God's sovereignty over all things, and to look forward to the coming of Jesus Christ, who will bring redemption to His people and establish a new covenant with them. As Matthew Henry writes, 'The Lord is the King of kings, and the Governor of all the kingdoms of the earth. He is the one who raises up and brings down, and He is the one who ultimately determines the course of history.' Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
The Cycle of Sin and Judgment
The chapter describes a cyclical pattern of sin, judgment, and restoration that characterizes the history of Israel and Judah. This pattern is evident in the reigns of the various kings, who often start out well but eventually turn to evil and are punished by God.
The Importance of Faithfulness
The chapter emphasizes the importance of faithfulness to God's covenant and the consequences of disobedience. The kings who are faithful to God are rewarded, while those who are unfaithful are punished.
The Sovereignty of God
The chapter highlights the sovereignty of God over all nations, including Israel and Judah. God is the one who raises up kings and brings them down, and He is the one who ultimately determines the course of history.