Azariah, also known as Uzziah, was a king of Judah who began his reign at the age of sixteen. His account is primarily recorded in the Old Testament books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. Azariah's reign is noted for its length and prosperity, as well as for his initial faithfulness to God, which later waned due to pride.

Biblical Account:

Azariah's ascension to the throne is documented in 2 Kings 15:1-7 and 2 Chronicles 26:1-23. According to 2 Kings 15:1-2 , "In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Azariah son of Amaziah became king of Judah. He was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. His mother’s name was Jecoliah; she was from Jerusalem."

Azariah's reign is characterized by a period of stability and expansion for the kingdom of Judah. He is credited with fortifying Jerusalem, expanding its territory, and improving its military capabilities. 2 Chronicles 26:6-15 details his military successes and innovations, including the construction of towers and the development of advanced weaponry.

Religious Observance:

Initially, Azariah did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, following the example of his father Amaziah. 2 Kings 15:3 states, "And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Amaziah had done." However, like many of his predecessors, he failed to remove the high places, where the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense.

Pride and Downfall:

Azariah's downfall came as a result of his pride. As his power and fame grew, he became arrogant, leading to a significant transgression against the LORD. 2 Chronicles 26:16 recounts, "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."

This act of presumption was a direct violation of the Levitical law, which reserved the priestly duties for the descendants of Aaron. Azariah's attempt to usurp the priestly role resulted in divine judgment. He was struck with leprosy, a condition that rendered him ceremonially unclean and led to his isolation from the temple and the people. 2 Chronicles 26:19-21 describes how the priests confronted him, and as a result of his anger and defiance, leprosy broke out on his forehead.

Legacy:

Despite his tragic end, Azariah's reign is remembered for its achievements and contributions to the strength and prosperity of Judah. His son Jotham took over the responsibilities of governance during Azariah's isolation and eventually succeeded him as king. Azariah's account serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and the importance of humility and obedience to God's commandments.