From 2 Kings 15-17
Overview
2 Ki 15.1-7; Azariah; Jeroboam; Azariah Reigns in Judah
2 Ki 15.8-12; Azariah; Zechariah; Zechariah Reigns in Israel
2 Ki 15.13-16; Uzziah; Shallum; Shallum Reigns in Israel
2 Ki 15.17-22; Azariah; Menahem; Menahem Reigns in Israel
2 Ki 15.23-26; Azariah; Pekahiah; Pekahiah Reigns in Israel
2 Ki 15.27-31; Azariah; Pekah; Pekah Reigns in Israel
2 Ki 15.32-38; Jotham; Pekah; Jotham Reigns in Judah
2 Ki 16.1-20; Ahaz; Pekah; Ahaz Reigns in Judah and desecrates the Temple
2 Ki 17.1-5; Ahaz; Hoshea; Hoshea Reigns in Israel
2 Ki 17.6; Ahaz; Hoshea; The Fall of Israel
2 Ki 17.24-41; Ahaz; Assyria Resettles Samaria
Passage and Comments
Today’s passage is a tale of three kings. Azariah (or Uzziah) of Judah, Zechariah and Shallum of Israel.
15 In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Azariah the son of Amaziah, king of Judah, began to reign. 2 He was sixteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jecoliah of Jerusalem. 3 And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. 4 Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away. The people still sacrificed and made offerings on the high places. 5 And the LORD touched the king, so that he was a leper to the day of his death, and he lived in a separate house. And Jotham the king’s son was over the household, governing the people of the land. 6 Now the rest of the acts of Azariah, and all that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? 7 And Azariah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David, and Jotham his son reigned in his place. (2 Ki 15:1–7)
Azariah Reigns in Judah. He became king when he was sixteen years old. So he started off very young. He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD. He was a good king. Perhaps he was like this because his father Amaziah, also a good king, taught him about the LORD.
Fathers should teach their sons about the LORD.
Like many kings, the places of foreign worship were not removed. He allowed them to persist. Perhaps for this reason the LORD made him a leper. He was unclean and no one could live with him. None could touch him without also becoming unclean themselves. His eventual successor looked after his household while he reigned. He was his son Jotham.
8 In the thirty-eighth year of Azariah king of Judah, Zechariah the son of Jeroboam reigned over Israel in Samaria six months. 9 And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his fathers had done. He did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin. 10 Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him and struck him down at Ibleam and put him to death and reigned in his place. 11 Now the rest of the deeds of Zechariah, behold, they are written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel. 12 (This was the promise of the LORD that he gave to Jehu, “Your sons shall sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation.” And so it came to pass.) (2 Ki 15:8-12)
Zechariah reigns in Israel. He was a descendent of Jehu. Jehu (2 Ki 9.1-13), Jehoahaz (2 Ki 10.35-36), Joash (2 Ki 13.9-10), Jeroboam (2 Ki 13.13) and lastly Zechariah (2 Ki 15.8). The LORD promised Jehu his sons would sit on the throne to the fourth generation. Zechariah is the last.
The LORD remains faithful to his promises.
Unlike Azariah above he had a very short reign. Six months. Coincidently he does what was evil in the LORD’s sight. Perhaps there is a pattern here? Likewise he followed the same course of life as his father. But in his case it was evil. Jehu’s zeal for the LORD was not passed on to later generations.
Shallum his successor conspired against him. Yes another conspiracy. Kings must have been always looking behind their backs and questioning their servants loyalty.
13 Shallum the son of Jabesh began to reign in the thirty-ninth year of Uzziah king of Judah, and he reigned one month in Samaria. 14 Then Menahem the son of Gadi came up from Tirzah and came to Samaria, and he struck down Shallum the son of Jabesh in Samaria and put him to death and reigned in his place. 15 Now the rest of the deeds of Shallum, and the conspiracy that he made, behold, they are written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel. 16 At that time Menahem sacked Tiphsah and all who were in it and its territory from Tirzah on, because they did not open it to him. Therefore he sacked it, and he ripped open all the women in it who were pregnant. (2 Ki 15:13–16)
Shallum reigns in Israel. Zechariah his predecessor lasted six months. Shallum lasted one month. He was killed by Menahem who sought to rule. Menachem proves to be quite vicious. Those who refuse to serve him are wiped out. Men, women and childre
Story of Israel
As we have seen above, some kings were all of the same family. The faith of their fathers impacted on the way they themselves thought and behaved. In Deuteronomy, Moses commands all fathers to teach their sons of their common salvation (Exodus from Egypt) and the Law of Moses.
20 “When your son asks you in time to come, ‘What is the meaning of the testimonies and the statutes and the rules that the Lord our God has commanded you?’ 21 then you shall say to your son, ‘We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt. And the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. 22 And the Lord showed signs and wonders, great and grievous, against Egypt and against Pharaoh and all his household, before our eyes. 23 And he brought us out from there, that he might bring us in and give us the land that he swore to give to our fathers. And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as we are this day. (Dt 6.20-24)
If the sons followed in their steps. Followed the LORD, remembered what he had done and lived by his commands, I assume their father’s would be proud of them.
Story of Jesus
Jesus has a unique relationship with the Father. He did as the Father wanted (Jn 5.17).
17 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and shave no fear.” 8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. (Mt 17.1-8)
Jesus’ followers are not instructed here to listen to Moses. The rules have changed. Now the people of God are instructed to listen to Jesus. From father to son, generation to generation. We are likewise instructed to listen to Jesus.
Copyright © Joshua Washington and thescripturesays, 2015. All Rights Reserved.
