Introduction:
Azariah, also known as Uzziah, was a king of Judah whose reign is documented in the Old Testament. His account is primarily found in 2 Kings 15 and 2 Chronicles 26. Azariah's reign is noted for its length, prosperity, and eventual downfall due to pride and disobedience to God.

Background:
Azariah was the son of Amaziah, king of Judah, and his mother was Jecoliah of Jerusalem. He ascended to the throne at the age of sixteen after the assassination of his father. His reign is marked by a period of relative stability and prosperity for the kingdom of Judah.

Reign and Achievements:
Azariah reigned for fifty-two years in Jerusalem, making his reign one of the longest in the history of Judah. Under his leadership, Judah experienced significant military and economic success. He fortified Jerusalem, built towers in the desert, and dug many cisterns, reflecting his concern for the infrastructure and defense of his kingdom.

2 Chronicles 26:4-5 states, "He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Amaziah had done. He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the LORD, God gave him success."

Azariah's military campaigns were successful, and he expanded Judah's influence by defeating the Philistines, Arabs, and Meunites. He also strengthened the army by equipping it with advanced weaponry and organizing it into divisions.

Religious Observance:
Azariah's early reign was characterized by faithfulness to God. He sought the Lord and was guided by the prophet Zechariah. His adherence to God's commandments brought prosperity and divine favor to Judah.

Downfall and Leprosy:
Despite his initial faithfulness, Azariah's reign ended in tragedy due to his pride. He unlawfully entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar, a duty reserved for the priests, the descendants of Aaron. This act of disobedience was met with divine judgment.

2 Chronicles 26:19-21 recounts, "Uzziah, who had a censer in his hand ready to burn incense, became angry. But while he raged against the priests in their presence before the incense altar in the house of the LORD, leprosy broke out on his forehead. When Azariah the chief priest and all the priests turned to him and saw that he was leprous on his forehead, they hurried him out. Indeed, he himself was eager to leave, because the LORD had afflicted him. So King Uzziah had leprosy until the day of his death. He lived in a separate house, leprous and excluded from the house of the LORD. Jotham his son had charge of the palace and governed the people of the land."

Legacy:
Azariah's reign is a poignant reminder of the importance of humility and obedience to God. His initial success and subsequent downfall illustrate the biblical principle that pride precedes destruction. Despite his tragic end, Azariah is remembered for his contributions to Judah's prosperity and military strength. His son Jotham succeeded him, continuing the Davidic line.