Read 2 Kings 15
Azariah King of Judah
15 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 Jekoliah; 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 ancestors and was buried near them in the City of David. And Jotham his son succeeded him as king.
Zechariah King of Israel
8 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 predecessors 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.”
Shallum King of Israel
13 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.
Menahem King of Israel
17 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 person 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 ancestors. And Pekahiah his son succeeded him as king.
Pekahiah King of Israel
23 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.
Pekah King of Israel
27 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 Maakah, 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?
Jotham King of Judah
32 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 ancestors and was buried with them in the City of David, the city of his father. And Ahaz his son succeeded him as king.
Go Deeper
It can seem daunting to read the historical accounts of the kings of Israel and Judah, who seem no different from the pagan kings around them. In a span of about 50 years, six evil kings of Israel are exposed for the sins of idolatry, killing entire populations, and even ripping open pregnant women. In the end, most met an untimely death, and four of them were assassinated. However, scripture records two kings of Judah who did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight, with one notable exception.
King Uzziah began his reign in Judah at the age of 16. We learn that “he did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight, just as his father, Amaziah, had done” (v. 3). Referencing 2 Chronicles 26, we discover specific details of his accomplishments during his 52 year reign. David Guzik of Enduring Word Bible Commentary lists them as:
- He defeated the Philistines and took many of their cities and also kept the Ammonites in tribute.
- He was internationally famous as a strong king.
- He was an ambitious builder and skilled in agriculture.
- He built up and organized the army, introducing several new items of military technology.
- He reigned during the ministry of Zechariah the prophet.
As impressive as these achievements were, they do not tell the whole story of King Uzziah. “But he did not destroy the pagan shrines, where the people offered sacrifices and burned incense. The Lord struck the king with leprosy, which lasted until the day of his death; he lived in a house by himself” (v. 4-5). Sadly, like his father & grandfather, he compromised by imitating the customs of other nations, which led to his tragic end. A lesson we can learn from Uzziah’s life is that partial obedience is still disobedience. We tend to categorize and normalize sin, but all sin is a serious affront to the holy God, especially sin that leads others astray.
No earthly king can hold a candle to Christ. In seeking models to emulate, we only need to look to the sinless Savior. The one who was “pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities, and the punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). He alone provides the perfect model.
Questions
- What kind of legacy would those in your inner circle say you are actively working towards? One day, someone will write your obituary. What do you hope it will say? Write down some important facts you want shared.
- Who do you know that is intentionally following Jesus? What habits do they incorporate into their daily lives? Send them a text/call thanking them for being a godly example.
- Where have you been tempted to “partially obey” the commands of scripture? Repent and share with an accountability partner.
Pray This
As you reflect on today’s reading, pray the Lord’s Prayer from Matthew 6:9-13:
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’
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5 responses to “2 Kings 15”
God wants all to be saved and come to the knowledge of Him. 1 Timothy 2:3-5 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
This was God’s plan for all the world. He wasnt just after the Jewish people only, but after the Gentiles as well. All of the history of these kings and their “right and wrong” doings are important in the overall scheme of things. Knowing history gives us how, when, why and who of HIS STORY.
All the kings stories also come back to that word = pride. The word says that they do right in the sight of the Lord BUT then they get to big for their britches. We all need accountability to check our pride. The Word of God tells us what is right and wrong but we dont listen well. We have to give someone in our life the postion to speak into our lives, and that they will do it through love, but with scripture to back it up with.
God thank You for helping me to take the plank out of my eye. God give me wisdom with knowing what Your will is that I may walk in it. God thank You for when my person tells me I am being prideful that I can hear with shema hearing, not be offended but hear the truth that is covered in love. God help me to see the pridefulness in my life. God give me words to speak about Your Son so that all are not lost but come to the knowledge of truth. God thank You for these minutes of this day, that all I say and do are glorifing and honor You in Jesus name amen.
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s tough reading the historical narratives of these kings, especially with the knowledge that they were people specifically chosen by God to represent him through the Abrahamic Covenant. Most failed miserably and had to pay a high price for their choices. Even Azariah & Jotham, who did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, failed to remove the high places. What will people say one day about our lives? May God reveal the idols that keep us from fully surrendering to him. Psalm 90:12 is my prayer, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
The Cost of Incomplete Obedience
2 Kings 15:4 says Azariah (Uzziah) was committed to the Lord, but he did not remove the high places. His overall commitment was real—but not complete.
As one online commentary explains: “This verse highlights the importance of wholehearted obedience to God. It challenges us to examine our own hearts and consider whether there are areas in our lives where we, like Azariah, have allowed “high places” to remain – places of compromise and idolatry that hinder our relationship with God.”
-https://bible.art/meaning/2-kings-15%3A4
This challenges me. I can be determined to refuse my idols—but if I don’t actually remove them, they remain standing. And when they remain, the weight shifts onto me—my willpower, my strength, my refusal. That’s not wholehearted obedience.
And it’s wholly exhausting.
Which is why God offers such clear, complete instructions.
Because refusal depends on me.
Removal relies on HIM..
Which will I choose? Refuse? Or remove?
Trust in my strength – or His?
Lord, may I always offer total obedience—and receive Your total freedom!
We see a series of kings who ruled over Israel and Judah, each with varying degrees of faithfulness to God. Righteous leadership is crucial for the well-being of a nation. As Proverbs 29:2 says, “When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.” Leaders who seek God’s guidance and obey His commandments can lead their people toward prosperity and peace.
I am ever so thankful for the leadership of HC and their teaching of God’s Living Word.
4 The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.
Yes, great point about how partial obedience is not sufficient! I’ve got to be a man after God’s own heart!