◄ 2 Kings 15:7 ►
And Azariah rested with his fathers and was buried near them in the City of David. And his son Jotham reigned in his place.
Study Bible
And Azariah rested with his fathers
This phrase indicates the death of King Azariah, also known as Uzziah, who was the king of Judah. The expression "rested with his fathers" is a common biblical euphemism for death, suggesting a peaceful transition and continuity with the ancestors. Azariah's reign was marked by both prosperity and divine judgment, as he was struck with leprosy for his pride (2 Chronicles 26:16-21). His death signifies the end of an era and the transition to a new leadership under his son.

and was buried near them in the City of David.
The City of David refers to the ancient core of Jerusalem, where the kings of Judah were traditionally buried. This burial location underscores Azariah's royal status and his connection to the Davidic line, which is significant in biblical prophecy concerning the Messiah (2 Samuel 7:12-16). The mention of being buried "near them" may imply that due to his leprosy, he was not buried in the royal tombs, reflecting the consequences of his sin even in death.

And his son Jotham reigned in his place.
Jotham's ascension to the throne marks the continuation of the Davidic dynasty. Jotham is noted for his righteous reign, as he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord (2 Kings 15:34). His rule is characterized by stability and fortification efforts, as recorded in 2 Chronicles 27:3-6. Jotham's reign serves as a type of Christ in his role as a just and righteous king, prefiguring the ultimate reign of Jesus, the descendant of David, who will establish an everlasting kingdom (Isaiah 9:7).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Azariah (Uzziah)
Also known as Uzziah, he was a king of Judah who reigned for 52 years. His reign was marked by both prosperity and a tragic downfall due to pride, resulting in leprosy.

2. Jotham
The son of Azariah, who succeeded him as king. Jotham is noted for doing what was right in the eyes of the Lord, continuing the positive aspects of his father's reign.

3. City of David
This is the ancient city of Jerusalem, where the kings of Judah were traditionally buried. It signifies the royal lineage and the continuity of David's dynasty.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Pride
Azariah's life serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride. Despite his accomplishments, his pride led to his downfall. Believers are reminded to remain humble and reliant on God.

Legacy and Continuity
The transition from Azariah to Jotham illustrates the importance of leaving a godly legacy. Parents and leaders are encouraged to instill values that will endure beyond their lifetime.

God's Faithfulness to His Promises
The burial in the City of David and the continuation of the Davidic line through Jotham underscore God's faithfulness to His covenant with David. This encourages believers to trust in God's promises.

The Importance of Obedience
Jotham's reign, marked by obedience to God, serves as a model for believers. Obedience to God's commands leads to stability and blessing.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Azariah's life illustrate the biblical principle that pride comes before a fall? Can you identify other biblical figures who experienced similar consequences?

2. In what ways can we ensure that we leave a godly legacy for the next generation, as seen in the transition from Azariah to Jotham?

3. How does the burial of Azariah in the City of David reflect God's faithfulness to His promises? Can you think of other instances in the Bible where God demonstrated His faithfulness?

4. What lessons can we learn from Jotham's obedience to God, and how can we apply these lessons in our daily lives?

5. How does the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1, which includes Azariah and Jotham, demonstrate the fulfillment of God's plan through history? How does this encourage you in your faith journey?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Chronicles 26
This chapter provides a more detailed account of Azariah's reign, including his achievements and his downfall due to pride, which led to his leprosy.

Isaiah 6:1
This verse mentions the year of King Uzziah's death, providing a chronological anchor for the prophet Isaiah's vision and calling.

Matthew 1:8-9
The genealogy of Jesus includes both Uzziah (Azariah) and Jotham, highlighting their place in the Messianic line.
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
Azariah, Azari'ah, Buried, Bury, David, Fathers, Jotham, Lieth, Reign, Reigned, Rest, Rested, Slept, Stead, Succeeded, Town
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 15:7

     5535   sleep, and death

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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