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Azariah was the one who rebuilt Elath and restored it to Judah after King Amaziah rested with his fathers.
Study Bible
Azariah was the one who rebuilt Elath
Azariah, also known as Uzziah, was a king of Judah who reigned for 52 years. His reign is noted for its prosperity and military success. Elath, a port city on the Red Sea, was strategically important for trade and military purposes. Rebuilding Elath signifies a period of expansion and economic growth for Judah. This act demonstrates Azariah's focus on strengthening Judah's infrastructure and securing trade routes, which were vital for the kingdom's wealth and stability.

and restored it to Judah
The restoration of Elath to Judah indicates that the city had previously been lost or under foreign control. This action reflects Azariah's efforts to reclaim and consolidate territories that were historically part of Judah. It also underscores the importance of Elath as a key location for trade and military advantage. The restoration can be seen as a fulfillment of the Davidic promise of territorial expansion and prosperity for the kingdom.

after King Amaziah rested with his fathers.
King Amaziah, Azariah's father, had a reign marked by both military success and failure. His defeat by Jehoash of Israel led to a period of instability. The phrase "rested with his fathers" is a biblical euphemism for death, indicating the end of Amaziah's reign and the transition of power to Azariah. This transition marks a new chapter for Judah, with Azariah's reign bringing renewed strength and stability. The continuity of leadership from Amaziah to Azariah highlights the dynastic succession of the Davidic line, which is significant in biblical prophecy concerning the Messiah.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Azariah (Uzziah)
Also known as Uzziah, he was the king of Judah who succeeded his father Amaziah. His reign is noted for military success and building projects, including the rebuilding of Elath.

2. Elath
A strategic port city located on the Red Sea, significant for trade and military purposes. Its restoration to Judah marked a period of prosperity and expansion.

3. Judah
The southern kingdom of the Israelites, which Azariah ruled. It was distinct from the northern kingdom of Israel.

4. Amaziah
The father of Azariah, who was king of Judah before him. His reign ended with his death, after which Azariah took the throne.

5. Restoration
The act of rebuilding and reclaiming Elath, symbolizing a return to strength and influence for Judah under Azariah's leadership.
Teaching Points
Leadership and Legacy
Azariah's actions in rebuilding Elath demonstrate the importance of leadership in restoring and strengthening a nation. Leaders today can learn from his example by focusing on projects that bring long-term benefits to their communities.

Strategic Planning
The restoration of Elath highlights the need for strategic planning in leadership. By securing a key location, Azariah ensured economic and military advantages for Judah. Believers can apply this by seeking God's wisdom in making strategic decisions in their lives.

Faithfulness in Small Things
Azariah's attention to rebuilding a single city reflects the biblical principle of being faithful in small things. Christians are encouraged to be diligent in their responsibilities, trusting that God will bless their efforts.

Historical Context and God's Sovereignty
Understanding the historical context of biblical events helps believers see God's sovereignty in action. The restoration of Elath is a reminder of God's hand in the affairs of nations and individuals.
Bible Study Questions
1. What can we learn from Azariah's leadership in the restoration of Elath that applies to our roles in our communities or workplaces?

2. How does the rebuilding of Elath reflect the importance of strategic locations in our spiritual lives, such as places of worship or fellowship?

3. In what ways does the account of Azariah and Elath encourage us to be faithful in the small tasks God has given us?

4. How does understanding the historical and geographical context of Elath enhance our appreciation of God's work in the Bible?

5. What other biblical figures demonstrate similar leadership qualities to Azariah, and how can their accounts inspire us today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Chronicles 26
This chapter provides a more detailed account of Uzziah's reign, including his military campaigns and building projects, offering a broader context for his achievements.

Isaiah 6
The prophet Isaiah's vision occurred in the year of King Uzziah's death, linking the spiritual and political climate of Judah during his reign.

Deuteronomy 2
References to the region around Elath, providing historical context for its significance to the Israelites.
Sermons
Significant Facts in God's GovernmentD. Thomas 2 Kings 14:1-29
Changes in Two ThronesJ. 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, Bringeth, Builder, Built, Death, Elath, Fathers, Got, Judah, Lying, Rested, Restored, Slept
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 14:1-22

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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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