2 Kings 14:22

KJV

He built Elath, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers.

KJV (with Strong's)

He built {H1129} Elath {H359}, and restored {H7725} it to Judah {H3063}, after {H310} that the king {H4428} slept {H7901} with his fathers {H1}.

Complete Jewish Bible

'Azaryah recovered Eilat for Y'hudah and rebuilt it; after that the king [Amatzyahu] slept with his ancestors.

Berean Standard Bible

Azariah was the one who rebuilt Elath and restored it to Judah after King Amaziah rested with his fathers.

American Standard Version

He built Elath, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 14:22 concisely records a significant achievement during the reign of King Azariah (also known as Uzziah) of Judah. This verse highlights his successful initiative in rebuilding and reclaiming the strategically vital port city of Elath, thereby restoring it to Judah's control. This pivotal accomplishment took place early in his reign, specifically after the death of his father, King Amaziah, signaling a period of renewed strength, economic vitality, and territorial reassertion for the southern kingdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the account of King Amaziah's assassination in Jerusalem and his subsequent burial with his fathers in the City of David ([2 Kings 14:19-20](/2_kings/14-19 "2 Kings 14:19-20 - Amaziah's Assassination and Burial")). It then introduces Azariah, Amaziah's son, who was made king by "all the people of Judah" at the age of sixteen ([2 Kings 14:21](/2_kings/14-21 "2 Kings 14:21 - Azariah Becomes King")). Verse 22, therefore, serves as an introductory highlight of Azariah's early reign, setting a tone of competence and success that would largely characterize his long rule, which is further elaborated in [2 Kings 15:1-7](/2_kings/15-1 "2 Kings 15:1-7 - The Reign of Azariah (Uzziah)") and extensively in [2 Chronicles 26](/2_chronicles/26 "2 Chronicles 26 - The Reign of Uzziah"). The phrase "after that the king slept with his fathers" is a common Deuteronomistic idiom marking royal succession and the chronological placement of the new king's actions.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Elath (also known as Ezion-Geber, as in [1 Kings 9:26](/1_kings/9-26 "1 Kings 9:26 - Solomon's Fleet at Ezion-Geber")) was a crucial seaport located at the northern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba, an arm of the Red Sea. Its control was paramount for access to lucrative trade routes extending to Arabia and Africa, facilitating the import of valuable goods like spices, gold, and exotic timbers. This port had been lost to Edom during the reign of Jehoram ([2 Kings 8:20](/2_kings/8-20 "2 Kings 8:20 - Edom's Rebellion and Loss of Elath")), representing a significant economic and strategic blow to Judah. Azariah's rebuilding and restoration of Elath thus signifies a major geopolitical achievement, demonstrating Judah's renewed military strength and its capacity to reclaim lost territory, thereby reopening vital economic arteries and bolstering national prosperity.

* **Key Themes:** The verse contributes to several overarching themes within the books of Kings and Chronicles. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **restoration and reassertion of national power**, as Azariah reverses a previous loss and strengthens Judah's economic and territorial claims. Secondly, it highlights **strategic leadership and foresight**, as Azariah recognized and acted upon the vital importance of Elath for the kingdom's long-term prosperity and security. This aligns with the broader narrative of kings who "did what was right in the eyes of the Lord" often experiencing periods of blessing and success, particularly in military and building endeavors, as seen in [2 Chronicles 26:6-15](/2_chronicles/26-6 "2 Chronicles 26:6-15 - Uzziah's Military and Building Achievements"). Finally, the verse speaks to the **continuity of the Davidic monarchy** and the immediate impact of a new king in shaping the destiny of the nation following a period of transition or instability.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Elath (Hebrew, _ʼÊlōṯ'_):** This city, located at the northern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba, was a critical Red Sea port. Its significance lay in its strategic position for maritime trade routes to the south (Arabia, Africa) and its role as a naval base. Its reclamation by Azariah was a major economic and geopolitical victory for Judah, reversing its loss to Edom.
* **built (Hebrew, _bānāh'_):** While "built" can refer to physical construction, in this context, it implies a comprehensive effort to re-establish the city's infrastructure, defenses, and administrative control. It suggests a significant investment of resources and labor to make Elath fully functional and secure as a Judahite possession once more.
* **restored (Hebrew, _shūv'_):** This verb means "to return" or "to bring back." Its use here emphasizes that Azariah's action was not merely an act of conquest or new construction, but a deliberate effort to reclaim what had rightfully belonged to Judah but was lost. It highlights the reversal of a previous decline and the re-incorporation of a vital asset into the kingdom.
* **slept with his fathers (Hebrew, _shākav im-ʼavotav'_):** This is a recurring biblical idiom, a euphemism used over 30 times in the Old Testament, signifying the death of a king or patriarch and their burial alongside their ancestors. It marks the peaceful end of a life and the succession of leadership, placing Azariah's achievements in the context of his father Amaziah's passing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He built Elath":** This clause attributes to King Azariah the initiative and accomplishment of rebuilding the city of Elath. This was likely a substantial undertaking, involving not only the construction of physical structures (e.g., fortifications, harbor facilities, dwellings) but also the establishment of a Judahite presence, administration, and possibly a military garrison to secure the port. It speaks to Azariah's early vision and capacity for large-scale development.
* **"and restored it to Judah":** This phrase clarifies the purpose and outcome of building Elath—it was to bring the city back under the sovereignty and control of the kingdom of Judah. This act reversed a period of foreign (Edomite) control, signifying a successful reassertion of Judah's territorial claims and a reclamation of its economic and strategic interests in the Red Sea trade. It was an act of national recovery and expansion.
* **"after that the king slept with his fathers":** This temporal marker indicates that Azariah's building and restoration of Elath occurred following the death of his father, King Amaziah. This places the achievement squarely within the early years of Azariah's independent reign, suggesting that it was one of his immediate and significant undertakings as the new monarch, setting a precedent for a reign characterized by strength and prosperity.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary techniques to convey its meaning efficiently. The most prominent is **Euphemism**, found in the phrase "slept with his fathers," which is a common biblical idiom for death and burial. This softens the blunt reality of death while simultaneously emphasizing the continuity of the royal lineage and the peaceful transition of power. The verse also demonstrates remarkable **Conciseness**, packing significant historical, economic, and political information into a brief statement, a hallmark of the Deuteronomistic Historian's style in summarizing long reigns. Implicitly, there is also an element of **Contrast**, as Azariah's successful early reign, marked by this strategic achievement, stands in contrast to the turbulent and ultimately tragic end of his father Amaziah's rule, which concluded with his assassination ([2 Kings 14:19-20](/2_kings/14-19 "2 Kings 14:19-20 - Amaziah's Assassination and Burial")).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Azariah's act of restoring Elath reflects a broader biblical theme of divine enablement for leaders who seek the welfare of God's people and act with strategic wisdom. His success in reclaiming this vital port points to the Lord's blessing upon a king who, for a significant portion of his reign, "did what was right in the eyes of the Lord" ([2 Kings 15:3](/2_kings/15-3 "2 Kings 15:3 - Azariah's Righteous Reign")). This restoration of territory and economic vitality was not merely a political achievement but a manifestation of God's covenant faithfulness to Judah, even amidst the nation's ongoing spiritual struggles. It underscores the principle that obedience and righteous leadership, though imperfect, often lead to prosperity and stability, while disobedience brings decline. This echoes the covenant promises of blessing for faithfulness found throughout the Torah, where God promises to establish and expand the boundaries of His people when they walk in His ways.

* [2 Chronicles 26:6](/2_chronicles/26-6 "2 Chronicles 26:6 - Uzziah's Military and Building Achievements")
* [Deuteronomy 28:1-8](/deuteronomy/28-1 "Deuteronomy 28:1-8 - Blessings for Obedience")
* [Psalm 72:8](/psalms/72-8 "Psalm 72:8 - The King's Dominion")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
King Azariah's decisive action in rebuilding and restoring Elath offers a compelling blueprint for believers today, both individually and corporately. Just as he identified a lost and vital asset and dedicated himself to its restoration, we are called to discern areas in our lives, our families, our churches, or our communities that are broken, neglected, or in disarray. This might involve restoring fractured relationships, rebuilding trust, revitalizing a stagnant ministry, reclaiming lost spiritual disciplines, or investing in initiatives that bring flourishing to our neighborhoods. His strategic foresight reminds us that effective leadership, whether in a kingdom or in our personal sphere, requires not merely reacting to problems but proactively investing in long-term solutions that foster growth and well-being. The timing, "after that the king slept with his fathers," also speaks to the potential of new seasons or transitions as critical opportunities to initiate significant positive change, demonstrating vision and courage when responsibility falls upon us. While Azariah's later reign was marred by pride and its consequences ([2 Chronicles 26:16-21](/2_chronicles/26-16 "2 Chronicles 26:16-21 - Uzziah's Pride and Leprosy")), his early actions exemplify the potential for God-honoring leadership to bring about tangible blessing and restoration.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Elaths" in your personal life, relationships, or sphere of influence need spiritual or practical restoration and rebuilding?**
* **How can you proactively identify and seize opportunities for positive change, especially during times of transition or new beginnings?**
* **What strategic investments, whether in time, resources, or effort, can you make today to build for a more prosperous and God-honoring future for yourself and others?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of Elath, and why was its restoration important for Judah?**

Answer: Elath, also known as Ezion-Geber, was a crucial seaport located at the northern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba, an arm of the Red Sea. Its strategic importance lay in its control over vital trade routes extending to the south and east, providing access to valuable resources like copper, gold, and spices from Arabia and Africa. It also served as a naval base for maritime expeditions, as seen during the time of Solomon ([1 Kings 9:26-28](/1_kings/9-26 "1 Kings 9:26-28 - Solomon's Fleet at Ezion-Geber")). Its loss, particularly to Edom during the reign of Jehoram ([2 Kings 8:20](/2_kings/8-20 "2 Kings 8:20 - Edom's Rebellion and Loss of Elath")), represented a significant economic and geopolitical setback for Judah. Azariah's act of rebuilding and restoring Elath therefore signified a major reassertion of Judah's influence, a revival of its economic power through renewed trade, and a strengthening of its national security. It marked a period of significant prosperity and expansion for the southern kingdom under his early reign, further detailed in [2 Chronicles 26](/2_chronicles/26 "2 Chronicles 26 - The Reign of Uzziah").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Azariah's restoration of Elath, a lost and vital asset, to Judah's control serves as a powerful earthly shadow of the far greater spiritual restoration accomplished by Jesus Christ. Just as Elath was lost due to human failing and reclaimed by a king, humanity was lost to sin and alienation from God, and only through the ultimate King, Jesus, could true restoration occur. Christ "built" and "restored" what was broken by sin, not merely a city, but the very relationship between God and humanity, establishing His kingdom not through military might but through sacrificial love. He is the one who "slept with his fathers" in death, yet conquered it, rising again to bring about a new era of spiritual prosperity and access to God's presence, far surpassing any earthly trade route. Through His atoning work, He reclaims those who were lost, bringing them into His glorious kingdom, making them "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen People")). This ultimate restoration is not of a port city, but of eternal life and fellowship with God, secured by the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), making all things new ([Revelation 21:5](/revelation/21-5 "Revelation 21:5 - Behold, I Am Making All Things New")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Kings 16:6

At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria, and drave the Jews from Elath: and the Syrians came to Elath, and dwelt there unto this day.

1 Kings 9:26

And king Solomon made a navy of ships in Eziongeber, which [is] beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red sea, in the land of Edom.

Deuteronomy 2:8

¶ And when we passed by from our brethren the children of Esau, which dwelt in Seir, through the way of the plain from Elath, and from Eziongaber, we turned and passed by the way of the wilderness of Moab.

2 Chronicles 26:2

He built Eloth, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers.

2 Chronicles 8:17

Then went Solomon to Eziongeber, and to Eloth, at the sea side in the land of Edom.