2 Kings 15:13

Shallum the son of Jabesh began to reign in the nine and thirtieth year of Uzziah king of Judah; and he reigned a full month in Samaria.

Shallum {H7967} the son {H1121} of Jabesh {H3003} began to reign {H4427} in the nine {H8672} and thirtieth {H7970} year {H8141} of Uzziah {H5818} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063}; and he reigned {H4427} a full {H3117} month {H3391} in Samaria {H8111}.

Shalum the son of Yavesh began his reign in the thirty-ninth year of 'Uziyah king of Y'hudah; he ruled in Shomron for only a month.

In the thirty-ninth year of Uzziah’s reign over Judah, Shallum son of Jabesh became king, and he reigned in Samaria one full month.

Shallum the son of Jabesh began to reign in the nine and thirtieth year of Uzziah king of Judah; and he reigned the space of a month in Samaria.

Commentary

2 Kings 15:13 introduces Shallum, an ephemeral figure in the tumultuous history of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. This verse marks the beginning of his incredibly short reign, highlighting the profound political instability that plagued Israel in the years leading up to its eventual fall.

Historical and Cultural Context

The period described in 2 Kings 15 is one of great unrest for the kingdom of Israel, often characterized by rapid successions and violent coups. In stark contrast to the relatively stable and long reign of Uzziah (also known as Azariah) in Judah, the northern kingdom experienced a succession of kings who often met violent ends. Shallum himself came to power by assassinating his predecessor, Zechariah, as recorded in 2 Kings 15:10. This verse specifically notes that Shallum began to reign in the "nine and thirtieth year of Uzziah king of Judah," anchoring this brief moment of Israelite history within the more enduring timeline of Judah.

His reign was centered in Samaria, the capital city of the Northern Kingdom, which by this time had become a hub for political intrigue and moral decay, a stark symbol of Israel's spiritual decline.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Political Instability: The most striking theme is the extreme volatility of the Israelite monarchy. Shallum's "full month" reign is a prime example of the dynastic struggles and assassinations that became commonplace, reflecting a kingdom in disarray and under divine judgment.
  • Brevity of Power: The phrase "reigned a full month" powerfully underscores the fleeting nature of worldly power and ambition when not aligned with God's will. Shallum's rise and fall are almost instantaneous, a stark reminder of human frailty.
  • Contrast Between Kingdoms: The mention of Uzziah's long reign in Judah implicitly contrasts the relative stability of the Davidic dynasty in the south with the chaos and rapid succession of kings in the north, which lacked a consistent, God-ordained lineage.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "reigned a full month" (Hebrew: yerech yamim, literally "a month of days") emphasizes the exact, yet incredibly short, duration of Shallum's time on the throne. It is not an approximation but a precise statement of his minimal impact, highlighting the swiftness of his overthrow.

Related Scriptures

The immediate fate of Shallum is revealed in the very next verse, where he is assassinated by Menahem, continuing the cycle of violence: "For Menahem the son of Gadi went up from Tirzah, and came to Samaria, and smote Shallum the son of Jabesh in Samaria, and slew him, and reigned in his stead." This rapid succession of kings is characteristic of the period leading up to Israel's exile, a consequence of their persistent idolatry and disobedience to God's covenant, as warned in books like Deuteronomy 28.

Practical Application

The story of Shallum serves as a timeless reminder that positions of power and influence are often temporary and subject to the unpredictable currents of life. It challenges us to consider where our true security lies – not in fleeting worldly authority or human ambition, but in the enduring sovereignty of God. Even amidst political chaos and instability, God's ultimate plan unfolds. This verse encourages reflection on the brevity of life and the importance of seeking lasting purpose that transcends temporary earthly gains.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 15:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign.

  • Job 20:15 (2 votes)

    He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again: God shall cast them out of his belly.

  • 1 Kings 16:24 (2 votes)

    And he bought the hill Samaria of Shemer for two talents of silver, and built on the hill, and called the name of the city which he built, after the name of Shemer, owner of the hill, Samaria.

  • Proverbs 28:2 (2 votes)

    ¶ For the transgression of a land many [are] the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding [and] knowledge the state [thereof] shall be prolonged.

  • 1 Kings 16:15 (2 votes)

    ¶ In the twenty and seventh year of Asa king of Judah did Zimri reign seven days in Tirzah. And the people [were] encamped against Gibbethon, which [belonged] to the Philistines.

  • Psalms 55:23 (2 votes)

    But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.

  • Proverbs 28:17 (2 votes)

    ¶ A man that doeth violence to the blood of [any] person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.