◄ 2 Kings 15:1 ►
In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam's reign over Israel, Azariah son of Amaziah became king of Judah.
Study Bible
In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam’s reign over Israel
This phrase situates the events within the broader timeline of the divided monarchy, specifically during the reign of Jeroboam II, who was king of Israel. Jeroboam II's reign is noted for its prosperity and expansion, as recorded in 2 Kings 14:23-29. His reign is marked by a temporary resurgence of Israel's power, fulfilling the prophecy of Jonah son of Amittai (2 Kings 14:25). This period is significant as it highlights the contrast between the political success of Israel and the spiritual decline that was occurring simultaneously, as noted by the prophets Hosea and Amos.

Azariah son of Amaziah
Azariah, also known as Uzziah, is introduced as the son of Amaziah, who was a previous king of Judah. Azariah's reign is detailed further in 2 Chronicles 26, where he is depicted as a king who initially sought the Lord and was successful, but later became proud, leading to his downfall. The dual name usage (Azariah/Uzziah) is common in the Old Testament and reflects the cultural practice of having both a personal and a throne name. Azariah's reign is significant for its length and for the prosperity and military strength he brought to Judah, as well as for his eventual punishment with leprosy due to his prideful attempt to burn incense in the temple, a duty reserved for priests.

became king of Judah
Azariah's ascension to the throne of Judah marks a continuation of the Davidic line, which is a central theme in the biblical narrative. The kingdom of Judah, unlike Israel, maintained a single dynasty, which is significant in the context of the Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-16). This covenant promised that David's lineage would endure forever, ultimately fulfilled in the New Testament through Jesus Christ, who is often referred to as the "Son of David" (Matthew 1:1). Azariah's reign, despite its challenges, is part of this ongoing divine promise and highlights the faithfulness of God to His covenant with David.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Azariah (Uzziah)
Also known as Uzziah, he was the son of Amaziah and became king of Judah. His reign is noted for both prosperity and eventual downfall due to pride.

2. Amaziah
The father of Azariah, Amaziah was a previous king of Judah who had a mixed reign, marked by both faithfulness and failure.

3. Jeroboam
Referring to Jeroboam II, the king of Israel during whose reign Azariah became king of Judah. His reign was characterized by economic prosperity but spiritual decline.

4. Judah
The southern kingdom of the divided Israelite monarchy, where Azariah reigned as king.

5. Israel
The northern kingdom, distinct from Judah, where Jeroboam II reigned during the time Azariah became king.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Humility
Azariah's reign began well, but his pride led to his downfall. This serves as a reminder of the biblical principle that pride precedes a fall (Proverbs 16:18).

Leadership and Accountability
Azariah's account highlights the responsibility of leaders to remain faithful to God. Leaders today should seek God's guidance and remain accountable to His standards.

The Consequences of Sin
Azariah's pride resulted in leprosy, illustrating the tangible consequences of sin. This serves as a warning to remain vigilant against sin in our lives.

God's Sovereignty in History
The overlap of Azariah's reign with Jeroboam's highlights God's control over the affairs of nations. Believers can trust in God's sovereignty in their personal lives and in world events.
Bible Study Questions
1. What can we learn from Azariah's (Uzziah's) initial success and eventual downfall about the dangers of pride in our own lives?

2. How does the account of Azariah's reign in 2 Chronicles 26 expand our understanding of his character and leadership?

3. In what ways can we apply the lessons of leadership and accountability from Azariah's life to our roles in our families, workplaces, and communities?

4. How does the overlap of Azariah's reign with Jeroboam's reign in Israel demonstrate God's sovereignty, and how can this understanding impact our trust in God today?

5. Reflect on a time when you experienced the consequences of pride or sin. How did that experience shape your relationship with God and your understanding of His grace?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Chronicles 26
Provides a more detailed account of Azariah's (Uzziah'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 marker for the prophet Isaiah's vision and calling.

Leviticus 26:19
Discusses the consequences of pride, which is relevant to Azariah's account as his pride led to his downfall.
Sermons
Another King Beginning Well, Ending IllJ. Orr 2 Kings 15:1-7
Prosperity and its DangersC.H. Irwin 2 Kings 15:1-7
Some Lessons from the History of KingsD. Thomas 2 Kings 15:1-38
People
Abel, Ahaz, Amaziah, Amram, Aram, Argob, Arieh, Azaliah, Azariah, David, Elah, Gadi, Gileadites, Hoshea, Jabesh, Jecholiah, Jecoliah, Jehu, Jeroboam, Jerusha, Jotham, Maacah, Menahem, Naphtali, Nebat, Pekah, Pekahiah, Pul, Remaliah, Rezin, Shallum, Tappuah, Tiglathpileser, Tirzah, Uzziah, Zachariah, Zadok, Zechariah
Places
Abel-beth-maacah, Assyria, Damascus, Galilee, Gilead, Hazor, Ibleam, Ijon, Janoah, Jerusalem, Kedesh, Samaria, Syria, Tirzah
Topics
Amaziah, Amazi'ah, Azariah, Azari'ah, Jeroboam, Jerobo'am, Judah, Reign, Reigned, Rule, Seventh, Twenty, Twenty-seventh
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 15:1-2

     7240   Jerusalem, history

2 Kings 15:1-38

     5366   king

Library
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

Meditations Before Dinner and Supper.
Meditate that hunger is like the sickness called a wolf; which, if thou dost not feed, will devour thee, and eat thee up; and that meat and drink are but as physic, or means which God hath ordained, to relieve and cure this natural infirmity and necessity of man. Use, therefore, to eat and to drink, rather to sustain and refresh the weakness of nature, than to satisfy the sensuality and delights of the flesh. Eat, therefore, to live, but live not to eat. There is no service so base, as for a man …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

A Living Book
[Illustration: (drop cap T) Symbol of "Asshur", the principal Assyrian idol.] There is only one Book that never grows old. For thousands of years men have been writing books. Most books are forgotten soon after they are written; a few of the best and wisest are remembered for a time. But all at last grow old; new discoveries are made; new ideas arise; the old books are out of date; their usefulness is at an end. Students are the only people who still care to read them. The nations to which the …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making

In Galilee at the Time of Our Lord
"If any one wishes to be rich, let him go north; if he wants to be wise, let him come south." Such was the saying, by which Rabbinical pride distinguished between the material wealth of Galilee and the supremacy in traditional lore claimed for the academies of Judaea proper. Alas, it was not long before Judaea lost even this doubtful distinction, and its colleges wandered northwards, ending at last by the Lake of Gennesaret, and in that very city of Tiberias which at one time had been reputed unclean! …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

The Prophet Micah.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. Micah signifies: "Who is like Jehovah;" and by this name, the prophet is consecrated to the incomparable God, just as Hosea was to the helping God, and Nahum to the comforting God. He prophesied, according to the inscription, under Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. We are not, however, entitled, on this account, to dissever his prophecies, and to assign particular discourses to the reign of each of these kings. On the contrary, the entire collection forms only one whole. At …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

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

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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