II Kings Chapter 15
Please read: II Kings 15 –
The next king of the southern kingdom Judah was a 16-year-old boy that was named Azariah but was called Uzziah more than Azariah. This king was a king who sought after God, and he reigned for many years in Judah. He reigned 52 years. After the destruction that had happened in Judah this man became known for his many projects to restore Judah to its former glory. More about his reign can be found in II Chronicles 26.
The rest of the chapter then records the succession of kings in the northern kingdom of Israel. In case you are keeping track, here is a listing of the kings of Israel. Starting with Jehu, his son Jehoahaz was next on the throne, then his son Jehoash (or Joash) reigned then his son Jereboam. Now this is of course a different Jeroboam than the very first king of the split kingdom. After Jeroboam his son Zechariah reigned. Then Shallum reigned, then Menahem, then his son Pekahiah, then Pekah, and then Hoshea. Some of these men had a very short reign because they were assassinated by their own people, like Shallum, he only reigned for one month.
What we learn is that there were a lot more kings of Israel that reigned for short periods of time compared to the kings of Judah. Many of the kings of Judah tried to do that which was good in the eyes of the Lord and God blessed them for it. After King Uzziah reigned for 52 years, his son Jotham reigned and then his son Ahaz. We also notice that in the southern kingdom it was the son of the previous king that was put on the throne with the brief exception of the reign of Athaliaha. But she had set herself in power rather than allowing the natural order.
The point is that the rapid succession of kings in the northern kingdom was brought about by their own sin and their own defiance to God.
Let's Reflect
1. King Amaziah (or Uzziah) was known for doing that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, like his father Amaziah. But like his father what was something he did not take care of that was against God’s laws?
2. Towards the end of his reign, God touched Uzziah with leprosy. The explanation is found in the book of II Chronicles. He had insisted that he, as the king, should be allowed to burn incense in the temple. But God had said that no man would serve as prophet, priest and king. At least not until Jesus came. Jesus was and is our prophet, priest, and king. Because Uzziah (or Azariah) was so sick with leprosy who took over reign of the kingdom?
3. It was just as God had promised Jehu, his kingdom would be passed down to four generations and then it would end. Jehu then Jehoahaz then Jehoash then Jeroboam then Zechariah. Zechariah’s son never got to sit on the throne. And he was king for only 6 months. What happened to him? See verse 10.
4. Why did Shallum reign for only one month? See verse 14. And where can we find out more details about Shallum’s short reign?
5. Menahem during his reign, was about to be attacked by the Assyrians, but he paid them off. How did Menahem pay off the Assyrians?
6. Pekahiah, the son of Menahem, was next on the throne, but his reign only lasted for two years. Why did he have such a short reign?
7. The next king, Pekah, was king when the Assyrians began yet another attack. Only this time, there were serious consequences to the raids of the Assyrians. According to verse 29 what happened?
8. What do we also read about King Pekah doing in verse 37? This was God’s judgement on Judah for not being fully committed to Him.
9. In Judah after the death of Uzziah from his leprosy, his son Jotham fully assumed the throne. It was during the reign of Jotham that the attacks of Assyria and Pekah came upon the southern kingdom. What was Jotham’s son’s name who reigned after him?
