2 Kings 15:23

KJV

In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah Pekahiah the son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria, [and reigned] two years.

KJV (with Strong's)

In the fiftieth {H2572}{H8141} year {H8141} of Azariah {H5838} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063} Pekahiah {H6494} the son {H1121} of Menahem {H4505} began to reign {H4427} over Israel {H3478} in Samaria {H8111}, and reigned two years {H8141}.

Complete Jewish Bible

It was in the fiftieth year of 'Azaryah king of Y'hudah that P'kachyah the son of Menachem began his reign over Isra'el in Shomron; he ruled for two years.

Berean Standard Bible

In the fiftieth year of Azariah’s reign over Judah, Pekahiah son of Menahem became king of Israel and reigned in Samaria two years.

American Standard Version

In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah Pekahiah the son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned two years.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse concisely records the commencement of Pekahiah's two-year reign over the northern kingdom of Israel from its capital, Samaria. Chronologically anchored to the fiftieth year of Azariah, king of Judah, it marks another brief and unstable period in Israel's tumultuous history, following his father Menahem's rule and preceding his own violent overthrow.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a standard regnal formula entry within the Deuteronomistic History, specifically in the book of 2 Kings, which chronicles the reigns of the kings of Israel and Judah. It immediately follows the account of Pekahiah's father, Menahem, whose reign was marked by violence and submission to Assyria ([2 Kings 15:17-22](/2_kings/15-17 "2 Kings 15:17-22 - Menahem's Reign")). The brevity of Pekahiah's rule, explicitly stated as "two years," sets the stage for his swift assassination by Pekah, detailed in [2 Kings 15:25](/2_kings/15-25 "2 Kings 15:25 - Pekahiah's Assassination"), highlighting the rapid succession of violent coups that plagued the Northern Kingdom in its final decades. This pattern stands in stark contrast to the generally longer and more stable reigns recorded for the kings of Judah, providing a narrative and theological contrast between the two kingdoms.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period described in 2 Kings 15 is one of extreme political instability and moral decline for the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Following the division of the monarchy, Israel frequently experienced violent changes in leadership, often through assassination, rather than stable dynastic succession. Samaria, the capital city, was not only a strategic stronghold but also a hub of political intrigue and a symbol of Israel's persistent idolatry and departure from the covenant with Yahweh. The mention of "the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah" serves as a crucial chronological synchronism, linking Israel's internal chaos to the more stable timeline of the Southern Kingdom under King Azariah (also known as Uzziah), whose long reign is detailed in [2 Kings 15:1-7](/2_kings/15-1 "2 Kings 15:1-7 - Azariah's Reign"). This chronological anchoring was vital for ancient historians to correlate events between the two kingdoms and with the broader geopolitical landscape of the ancient Near East, particularly with the rising power of Assyria, which would soon engulf Israel.
* **Key Themes:** The verse contributes to several overarching themes within 2 Kings and the broader Deuteronomistic History. Firstly, it underscores the pervasive **instability and short reigns** characteristic of the Northern Kingdom, a direct consequence of its spiritual rebellion and political fragmentation. Pekahiah's two-year rule, ending in violence, exemplifies the fleeting nature of power achieved through ungodly means. Secondly, this instability serves as a powerful testament to **divine judgment** against Israel's persistent idolatry and covenant disobedience. The rapid succession of kings and their violent ends are presented as the natural outcome of a nation that had forsaken its God. Thirdly, the consistent use of **chronological anchoring** through synchronisms with Judah's kings (like Azariah) highlights the meticulous historical record-keeping of the biblical authors, providing a framework for understanding the unfolding of God's plan amidst human chaos. This synchronism also implicitly contrasts the relative stability of Judah (despite its own failings) with the rapid decline of Israel, suggesting a divine hand in the trajectory of both nations.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pekahiah (Hebrew, _Pəqaḥyāh_):** This name means "Yahweh has opened" or "Yahweh has observed." The irony of such a name for a king whose reign was brief, ungodly, and ended in violent assassination by Pekah ([2 Kings 15:25](/2_kings/15-25 "2 Kings 15:25 - Pekahiah's Assassination")) is striking. It suggests that while God "observed" his reign, He certainly did not "open" a path for its success or longevity, given Pekahiah's continuation of the idolatrous practices of his predecessors.
* **Samaria (Hebrew, _Šōmrōn_):** The capital city of the Northern Kingdom, founded by Omri ([1 Kings 16:24](/1_kings/16-24 "1 Kings 16:24 - Omri Founds Samaria")). Samaria became a symbol of Israel's apostasy, a center for Baal worship, and a hotbed of political intrigue and violent coups. Its mention here as the seat of Pekahiah's short reign reinforces the city's association with the kingdom's spiritual and political decay.
* **two years (Hebrew, _šənātayim_):** The explicit mention of the brevity of Pekahiah's reign is a significant detail. It immediately signals the precariousness of his rule and foreshadows his violent end. This short duration is typical of many of the later kings of Israel, emphasizing the kingdom's profound instability and the lack of a divinely sanctioned, enduring dynasty, unlike the Davidic line in Judah.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah":** This initial clause provides a crucial chronological marker, linking the events in the Northern Kingdom of Israel to the timeline of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Azariah, also known as Uzziah, had a long and relatively stable reign in Judah ([2 Kings 15:1-7](/2_kings/15-1 "2 Kings 15:1-7 - Azariah's Reign")), making his reign a reliable point of reference for synchronizing the histories of the two divided kingdoms and, by extension, ancient Near Eastern events.
* **"Pekahiah the son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria":** This phrase identifies the new king, Pekahiah, and establishes his lineage as the son of the preceding king, Menahem. This indicates an attempt at dynastic succession, though it proved short-lived. His rule "over Israel" signifies his authority over the Northern Kingdom, and "in Samaria" specifies the capital city from which he governed, a city deeply entrenched in the kingdom's idolatrous practices and political turmoil.
* **"[and reigned] two years":** This final clause succinctly states the duration of Pekahiah's reign. The brevity of "two years" is highly significant, immediately signaling the instability of his rule and foreshadowing his imminent violent overthrow, which is detailed just two verses later in [2 Kings 15:25](/2_kings/15-25 "2 Kings 15:25 - Pekahiah's Assassination"). It highlights the consistent pattern of short, violent reigns that characterized the final decades of the Northern Kingdom.

#### Literary Devices
The Deuteronomistic historian employs several literary devices in this concise verse. **Synchronism** is prominently featured, as the reign of Pekahiah in Israel is precisely dated by reference to the reign of Azariah in Judah, a common technique throughout 1 and 2 Kings to interweave the histories of the two kingdoms. This chronological precision also subtly highlights the relative instability of Israel compared to Judah's more consistent dynastic succession. The brevity of Pekahiah's reign, explicitly stated as "two years," serves as a powerful **foreshadowing** device, hinting at the violent and premature end of his rule, which is fulfilled just two verses later. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **formulaic language**, characteristic of the regnal summaries in Kings (e.g., "began to reign," "reigned X years"), which provides a consistent structure for the historical accounts and underscores the Deuteronomistic historian's theological perspective on each king's adherence to the covenant. Finally, there is a subtle **irony** in Pekahiah's name, meaning "Yahweh has opened," contrasting sharply with his short, ungodly reign that God clearly did not "open" for success or blessing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The brief and unstable reign of Pekahiah, as recorded in 2 Kings 15:23, serves as a poignant illustration of the consequences of a nation's persistent rebellion against God. In a kingdom characterized by idolatry, political assassinations, and a disregard for divine covenant, human ambition and power struggles consistently led to fleeting and violent reigns. This verse, like many others in 2 Kings, underscores the theological principle that true authority and lasting peace do not derive from human strength, cunning, or dynastic claims apart from God's will. Instead, the rapid succession of kings and their violent ends demonstrate God's sovereign judgment over a people who had forsaken Him, revealing that even amidst human chaos, the Lord remains the ultimate orchestrator of history, raising up and bringing down rulers according to His divine purposes.

* [2 Kings 15:25](/2_kings/15-25 "2 Kings 15:25 - Pekahiah's Assassination")
* [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "Proverbs 21:1 - The Lord Directs Kings' Hearts")
* [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God Changes Times and Seasons")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The concise historical record of Pekahiah's two-year reign, ending in violence, offers profound insights into the nature of power, leadership, and divine sovereignty. It serves as a stark reminder that human ambition, political maneuvering, and reliance on worldly strength, when divorced from God's guidance and righteousness, inevitably lead to instability, fleeting success, and ultimately, destruction. The constant cycle of violence and short reigns in the Northern Kingdom stands in sharp contrast to the potential for stability, blessing, and enduring peace that comes from obedience to God's will and reliance on His divine authority. For believers today, this account underscores the timeless truth that genuine authority and lasting impact flow from a right relationship with God, not from human cunning or worldly might. It challenges us to examine our own pursuits of power, influence, and success, asking whether they are aligned with God's purposes or merely reflections of fleeting earthly desires. It calls us to trust in the Lord's ultimate control over all earthly rulers and to seek His kingdom and righteousness above all else, knowing that true peace and stability are found only in Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the brevity and violent end of Pekahiah's reign challenge our contemporary views on power, success, and leadership?**
* **In what ways do we observe similar patterns of instability, self-destruction, or fleeting influence in modern leadership when God's principles are disregarded?**
* **What does this historical account teach us about the ultimate source of true authority and lasting peace, both in national governance and in our personal lives?**
* **How can believers actively pray for and seek to influence leaders towards righteousness, stability, and a recognition of God's sovereignty?**

### FAQ
**Who was Azariah, and why is his reign mentioned here?**

Answer: Azariah was the king of Judah, also widely known as Uzziah, who had a remarkably long and generally prosperous reign of 52 years, beginning in [2 Kings 15:1](/2_kings/15-1 "2 Kings 15:1 - Azariah's Reign Begins"). His reign is mentioned here to provide a crucial chronological anchor. The biblical writers frequently synchronized the reigns of the kings of Israel (the Northern Kingdom) with those of Judah (the Southern Kingdom) to create a coherent historical timeline. Azariah's long and stable rule in Judah provided a reliable fixed point against which the much more volatile and shorter reigns in Israel could be measured, allowing for a clearer understanding of the parallel histories of the two kingdoms and their alignment with broader ancient Near Eastern events.

**What was the significance of Samaria as Pekahiah's capital?**

Answer: Samaria was the strategically important and well-fortified capital city of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, established by King Omri ([1 Kings 16:24](/1_kings/16-24 "1 Kings 16:24 - Omri Founds Samaria")). While a symbol of Israel's political power, Samaria also became a potent symbol of its spiritual apostasy and rebellion against God, often being a center for idolatry and pagan worship. Its frequent role as the site of political assassinations and coups, including Pekahiah's, underscores the deep instability, moral decay, and divine judgment that plagued the Northern Kingdom, particularly in its final decades leading up to the Assyrian exile. The city's prominence in these accounts highlights the spiritual and political sickness at the heart of Israel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tumultuous and fleeting reign of Pekahiah, characteristic of the Northern Kingdom's instability, stands in stark contrast to the eternal and unshakable reign of Jesus Christ. The constant cycle of violence, short reigns, and failed human leadership in Israel underscores humanity's desperate need for a perfect, divine King. Pekahiah's two-year rule, marked by the same ungodliness as his predecessors and ending in violent overthrow, serves as a poignant reminder that earthly power, when not submitted to God, is inherently unstable and ultimately leads to destruction. This historical reality points forward to the coming of the true King, Jesus, whose kingdom is not of this world and whose reign is forever. Unlike the kings of Israel who "did evil in the sight of the Lord," Christ perfectly fulfilled God's will, establishing a kingdom of righteousness, peace, and justice that will never end ([Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - The Eternal Reign of the Prince of Peace")). His throne is eternal ([Hebrews 1:8](/hebrews/1-8 "Hebrews 1:8 - Christ's Throne is Forever")), and He is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise of an enduring ruler, bringing an end to the cycle of human failure and ushering in a reign of divine sovereignty that will one day encompass all the kingdoms of the world ([Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "Luke 1:32-33 - Jesus' Eternal Kingdom"); [Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Becomes Christ's Kingdom")).

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

1 Kings 15:25

¶ And Nadab the son of Jeroboam began to reign over Israel in the second year of Asa king of Judah, and reigned over Israel two years.

1 Kings 16:8

In the twenty and sixth year of Asa king of Judah began Elah the son of Baasha to reign over Israel in Tirzah, two years.

2 Kings 21:19

¶ Amon [was] twenty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name [was] Meshullemeth, the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah.

1 Kings 22:51

Ahaziah the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned two years over Israel.

Job 20:5

That the triumphing of the wicked [is] short, and the joy of the hypocrite [but] for a moment?