2 Kings 14:21 Study Bible: All the people of Judah took Azariah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the place of his father Amaziah.

◄ 2 Kings 14:21 ►

Then all the people of Judah took Azariah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in place of his father Amaziah.

Then all the people of Judah took Azariah
The phrase "all the people of Judah" indicates a collective decision by the nation, suggesting a unified support for Azariah's ascension to the throne. This reflects a common practice in ancient Israel where the people played a role in affirming the king, as seen in the anointing of Saul (1 Samuel 10:24) and David (2 Samuel 5:3). Azariah, also known as Uzziah, is a significant figure in Judah's history, and his reign is noted for prosperity and military success (2 Chronicles 26:1-15). The name Azariah means "Yahweh has helped," which may reflect the people's hope for divine favor under his rule.

who was sixteen years old
Azariah's young age at his ascension is noteworthy. In the ancient Near East, it was not uncommon for young individuals to become rulers, often under the guidance of regents or advisors. His youth may have required him to rely heavily on experienced counselors, which could have influenced his early reign. This detail also highlights the vulnerability and potential for growth in his leadership, as seen in other young kings like Josiah (2 Kings 22:1).

and made him king in place of his father Amaziah
Amaziah's reign ended in turmoil, as he was assassinated following a military defeat and subsequent idolatry (2 Kings 14:17-20). The transition to Azariah's rule marks a new chapter for Judah, with the hope of stability and renewal. The phrase "in place of his father" underscores the dynastic continuity, a critical aspect of the Davidic line, which is central to biblical prophecy concerning the Messiah (2 Samuel 7:12-16). Azariah's reign is a type of Christ in that he restores and strengthens the kingdom, prefiguring the ultimate restoration through Jesus, the true King from David's line.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Azariah (Uzziah)
Azariah, also known as Uzziah, was made king of Judah at the age of sixteen. His reign is noted for both prosperity and eventual downfall due to pride.

2. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, consisting of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. It was distinct from the northern kingdom of Israel.

3. Amaziah
The father of Azariah, Amaziah was the previous king of Judah. His reign ended in assassination, leading to Azariah's ascension.

4. The People of Judah
The collective body of citizens who played a role in establishing Azariah as king, indicating a level of popular support or acceptance.

5. The Transition of Power
This event marks a significant transition in leadership, highlighting the continuity of the Davidic line despite political turmoil.

Teaching Points

The Importance of Humility
Azariah's later life serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride. As believers, we are called to walk humbly with God, recognizing that all authority and success come from Him.

Youth and Leadership
Azariah was only sixteen when he became king, demonstrating that God can use young people in significant ways. Young believers should be encouraged to seek God's wisdom and guidance in their leadership roles.

The Role of Community
The people of Judah played a crucial role in Azariah's ascension. This highlights the importance of community support and accountability in leadership.

Continuity of God's Promises
Despite the political instability, the Davidic line continued through Azariah, reminding us of God's faithfulness to His promises.

Bible Study Questions

1. What can we learn from Azariah's early ascension to the throne about God's use of young leaders in His plans?

2. How does the community's role in Azariah's coronation reflect the importance of collective decision-making in the church today?

3. In what ways can pride affect our relationship with God and others, as seen in the life of Azariah?

4. How does the continuity of the Davidic line through Azariah encourage us to trust in God's promises, even in times of uncertainty?

5. Reflecting on 2 Chronicles 26, what lessons can we draw from Azariah's successes and failures to apply in our own spiritual journey?

Connections to Other Scriptures

2 Chronicles 26
Provides a more detailed account of Azariah's reign, including his achievements and his downfall due to pride.

Isaiah 6:1
Mentions the year of King Uzziah's death, providing a chronological anchor for the prophet Isaiah's vision.

Leviticus 26:19
Discusses the consequences of pride, which is relevant to Azariah's later life when he overstepped his bounds as king.

Sermons

Significant Facts in God's Government	D. Thomas	2 Kings 14:1-29
Changes in Two Thrones	J. Orr	2 Kings 14:15-22

People

Ahaziah, Amaziah, Amittai, Azariah, David, Edomites, Hepher, Jehoaddan, Jehoahaz, Jehoash, Jehu, Jeroboam, Joahaz, Joash, Jonah, Nebat, Zachariah, Zechariah

Places

Beth-shemesh, Corner Gate, Damascus, Edom, Elath, Ephraim Gate, Gath-hepher, Hamath, Israel, Jerusalem, Joktheel, Lachish, Lebanon, Lebo-hamath, Samaria, Sea of the Arabah, Sela, Syria, Valley of Salt

Topics

Amaziah, Amazi'ah, Azariah, Azari'ah, Cause, Instead, Judah, Reign, Room, Sixteen

Dictionary of Bible Themes

2 Kings 14:1-22

5366 king

2 Kings 14:21-29

5366 king

Library

The Prophet Amos.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. It will not be necessary to extend our preliminary remarks on the prophet Amos, since on the main point--viz., the circumstances under which he appeared as a prophet--the introduction to the prophecies of Hosea may be regarded as having been written for those of Amos also. For, according to the inscription, they belong to the same period at which Hosea's prophetic ministry began, viz., the latter part of the reign of Jeroboam II., and after Uzziah had ascended the …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The Prophet Jonah.
It has been asserted without any sufficient reason, that Jonah is older than Hosea, Joel, Amos, and Obadiah,--that he is the oldest among the prophets whose written monuments have been preserved to us. The passage in 2 Kings xiv. 25, where it is said, that Jonah, the son of Amittai the prophet, prophesied to Jeroboam the happy success of his arms, and the restoration of the ancient boundaries of Israel, and that this prophecy was confirmed by the event, cannot decide in favour of this assertion, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The Twelve Minor Prophets.
1. By the Jewish arrangement, which places together the twelve minor prophets in a single volume, the chronological order of the prophets as a whole is broken up. The three greater prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, stand in the true order of time. Daniel began to prophesy before Ezekiel, but continued, many years after him. The Jewish arrangement of the twelve minor prophets is in a sense chronological; that is, they put the earlier prophets at the beginning, and the later at the end of the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

The Prophet Hosea.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. That the kingdom of Israel was the object of the prophet's ministry is so evident, that upon this point all are, and cannot but be, agreed. But there is a difference of opinion as to whether the prophet was a fellow-countryman of those to whom he preached, or was called by God out of the kingdom of Judah. The latter has been asserted with great confidence by Maurer, among others, in his Observ. in Hos., in the Commentat. Theol. ii. i. p. 293. But the arguments …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire from 745 to 722 B. C.
TIGLATH-PILESER III. AND THE ORGANISATION OF THE ASSYRIAN EMPIRE FROM 745 to 722 B.C. FAILURE OF URARTU AND RE-CONQUEST Of SYRIA--EGYPT AGAIN UNITED UNDER ETHIOPIAN AUSPICES--PIONKHI--THE DOWNFALL OF DAMASCUS, OF BABYLON, AND OF ISRAEL. Assyria and its neighbours at the accession of Tiglath-pileser III.: progress of the Aramaeans in the basin of the Middle Tigris--Urartu and its expansion into the north of Syria--Damascus and Israel--Vengeance of Israel on Damascus--Jeroboam II.--Civilisation …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7

The Girdle of the City. Nehemiah 3
The beginning of the circumference was from 'the sheep-gate.' That, we suppose, was seated on the south part, yet but little removed from that corner, which looks south-east. Within was the pool of Bethesda, famous for healings. Going forward, on the south part, was the tower Meah: and beyond that, "the tower of Hananeel": in the Chaldee paraphrast it is, 'The tower Piccus,' Zechariah 14:10; Piccus, Jeremiah 31:38.--I should suspect that to be, the Hippic tower, were not that placed on the north …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

The Figurative Language of Scripture.
1. When the psalmist says: "The Lord God is a sun and shield" (Psa. 84:11), he means that God is to all his creatures the source of life and blessedness, and their almighty protector; but this meaning he conveys under the figure of a sun and a shield. When, again, the apostle James says that Moses is read in the synagogues every Sabbath-day (Acts 15:21), he signifies the writings of Moses under the figure of his name. In these examples the figure lies in particular words. But it may be embodied …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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