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. He is noted for his long and prosperous reign, marked by both military success and spiritual failure. Azariah/Uzziah's reign is significant in the history of Judah, reflecting both the blessings of obedience and the consequences of pride.

Name and Identity:
Azariah, meaning "Yahweh has helped," is also referred to as Uzziah, meaning "My strength is Yahweh." The dual naming is not uncommon in the biblical narrative, reflecting different aspects of his character and reign. The name Uzziah is more frequently used in the Chronicles account, while Azariah appears in the Kings narrative.

Reign:
Azariah/Uzziah became king of Judah at the age of sixteen following the death of his father, Amaziah. His reign lasted for fifty-two years, making it one of the longest in the history of the divided kingdom. His rule is generally dated to the 8th century BC, a period of relative stability and prosperity for Judah.

Military and Political Achievements:
Under Azariah/Uzziah's leadership, Judah experienced significant military success. He fortified Jerusalem, built towers, and expanded the kingdom's territory. The Bible records his victories over the Philistines, Arabs, and Meunites, as well as his successful campaigns to restore and maintain control over the region. His military prowess is highlighted in 2 Chronicles 26:6-8 : "Uzziah went out and fought against the Philistines. He broke down the walls of Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod. Then he built cities in the vicinity of Ashdod and among the Philistines. God helped him against the Philistines, against the Arabs who lived in Gur-baal, and against the Meunites."

Religious and Spiritual Aspects:
Azariah/Uzziah is initially described as a king who did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, following the example of his father Amaziah. However, his reign is marred by a significant spiritual failure. In his later years, Uzziah's pride led him to unlawfully enter the temple to burn incense, a duty reserved for the priests. This act of disobedience resulted in divine judgment, as recorded in 2 Chronicles 26:16-19 : "But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, for he entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense."

Judgment and Legacy:
As a consequence of his transgression, Uzziah was struck with leprosy, which remained with him until his death. He lived in a separate house, isolated from the temple and the people, while his son Jotham governed the land. Despite his achievements, Uzziah's legacy is overshadowed by his failure to honor the sanctity of the priestly office. His account serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and the importance of obedience to God's commandments.

Historical Context:
Azariah/Uzziah's reign occurred during a time of significant prophetic activity. The prophets Isaiah, Hosea, and Amos were contemporaries, providing spiritual guidance and warning to the people of Judah and Israel. Uzziah's reign is a backdrop to the messages of these prophets, who called for repentance and faithfulness to God amidst the nation's prosperity and moral decline.

Conclusion:
Azariah/Uzziah's reign is a complex narrative of success and failure, illustrating the blessings of faithfulness and the perils of pride. His account is a reminder of the importance of humility and obedience in leadership, as well as the enduring consequences of spiritual disobedience.2 Kings 14:21,22
And all the people of Judah took Azariah, which was sixteen years old, and made him king instead of his father Amaziah.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 15:1-7
In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 26:1-23
Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Divided Kingdom.
... Reigned IS years and died. ... During this time the kings of Judah cherished the
hope that they would regain their control over the ten tribes. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xiii the divided kingdom.htm

The Kingdom Op Judah.
... strengthened to gain a great victory over the Ethiopians ... kingdom during his lifetime,
and afterwards reigned alone till ... and most idolatrous of the Kings of Judah ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vii the kingdom op.htm

The Old Testament and Archeology
... My father reigned over Moab for thirty years, and I reigned after my ... Adad-nirari
was succeeded by a series of weak kings, during whose reign the power of ...
/.../the christian view of the old testament/chapter iv the old testament.htm

Appendices
... and not rather one of the unknown kings of the ... Assyrians 732 Hezekiah 727 Invasion
of Judah by Sennacherib ... 2. My father reigned over Moab thirty years, and I ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/appendices.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... the labours of the attacking force were not yet over. ... The petty kings who shared
with Assyria the possession ... Barzur, son of Panammu I., had reigned there since ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

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