In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam's reign over Israel, Azariah son of Amaziah became king of Judah. In the twenty-seventh yearThis phrase sets a specific historical context, anchoring the events in a precise timeline. The use of regnal years was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern cultures, providing a chronological framework for historical records. The twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam II's reign suggests a period of relative stability and prosperity in Israel, which contrasts with the political turmoil often seen in Judah. This timeframe is crucial for understanding the overlapping reigns of kings in Israel and Judah, highlighting the interconnectedness of their histories. of Jeroboam’s reign over Israel
Jeroboam II was one of the most successful kings of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, known for expanding its borders and strengthening its economy. His reign is often seen as a time of material prosperity but spiritual decline, as the people turned away from God. The mention of Jeroboam's reign serves as a backdrop to Azariah's ascension, emphasizing the divided nature of the Israelite kingdom and the ongoing tension between the northern and southern kingdoms. Azariah
Also known as Uzziah, Azariah's name means "Yahweh has helped," reflecting a common practice of the time to incorporate the name of God into personal names, signifying divine favor or a prayer for divine assistance. Azariah's reign is noted for its length and relative prosperity, as well as his initial faithfulness to God. However, his later years were marred by pride and disobedience, leading to his downfall. His account serves as a reminder of the importance of humility and obedience to God. son of Amaziah
Amaziah, Azariah's father, was a king of Judah who initially followed God but later turned away, leading to his assassination. The mention of Amaziah highlights the dynastic continuity in Judah, as well as the recurring theme of kings who start well but fail to remain faithful. This lineage underscores the importance of spiritual legacy and the impact of a father's faithfulness—or lack thereof—on his descendants. became king of Judah
Azariah's ascension to the throne of Judah marks a new chapter in the history of the southern kingdom. Judah, unlike Israel, maintained a single dynasty—the line of David—throughout its history, which was seen as a fulfillment of God's promise to David. Azariah's reign is characterized by military success and economic prosperity, but also by his failure to remove the high places, where unauthorized worship occurred. This phrase serves as a reminder of the dual nature of leadership: the potential for both great achievements and significant failures. 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. AmaziahThe father of Azariah, Amaziah was a previous king of Judah who had a mixed reign, marked by both faithfulness and failure. 3. JeroboamReferring 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. JudahThe southern kingdom of the divided Israelite monarchy, where Azariah reigned as king. 5. IsraelThe northern kingdom, distinct from Judah, where Jeroboam II reigned during the time Azariah became king. Teaching Points The Importance of HumilityAzariah'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 AccountabilityAzariah'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 SinAzariah'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 HistoryThe 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 26Provides a more detailed account of Azariah's (Uzziah's) reign, including his achievements and his downfall due to pride. Isaiah 6:1Mentions the year of King Uzziah's death, providing a chronological marker for the prophet Isaiah's vision and calling. Leviticus 26:19Discusses the consequences of pride, which is relevant to Azariah's account as his pride led to his downfall. 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, ZechariahPlaces Abel-beth-maacah, Assyria, Damascus, Galilee, Gilead, Hazor, Ibleam, Ijon, Janoah, Jerusalem, Kedesh, Samaria, Syria, TirzahTopics Amaziah, Amazi'ah, Azariah, Azari'ah, Jeroboam, Jerobo'am, Judah, Reign, Reigned, Rule, Seventh, Twenty, Twenty-seventhDictionary 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 BibleMeditations 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 Links 2 Kings 15:1 NIV2 Kings 15:1 NLT2 Kings 15:1 ESV2 Kings 15:1 NASB2 Kings 15:1 KJV
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