2 Kings 15:27

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

In the two {H8147}{H8141} and fiftieth {H2572} year {H8141} of Azariah {H5838} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063} Pekah {H6492} the son {H1121} of Remaliah {H7425} began to reign {H4427} over Israel {H3478} in Samaria {H8111}, and reigned twenty {H6242} years {H8141}.

Complete Jewish Bible

It was in the fifty-second year of 'Azaryah king of Y'hudah that Pekach the son of Remalyah began to reign over Isra'el in Shomron; his reign lasted twenty years.

Berean Standard Bible

In the fifty-second year of Azariah’s reign over Judah, Pekah son of Remaliah became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria twenty years.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 15:27 meticulously records the commencement of Pekah's reign over the Northern Kingdom of Israel in Samaria, noting its synchronicity with the fifty-second year of Azariah (Uzziah) king of Judah, and specifying Pekah's twenty-year tenure. This verse serves as a crucial chronological marker within the tumultuous period of the divided monarchy, highlighting the ongoing political instability in Israel and the biblical narrative's commitment to precise historical documentation, even amidst a succession of violent coups and short-lived kings.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a rapid succession of kings in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, a period characterized by extreme political instability and frequent assassinations. Immediately preceding 2 Kings 15:27, we read of the brief, six-month reign of Pekahiah, son of Menahem, who was assassinated by Pekah himself (2 Kings 15:25-26). The narrative then swiftly moves to Pekah's twenty-year reign, which concludes with his own assassination by Hoshea (2 Kings 15:30), the last king of Israel before its fall to Assyria. This chapter, 2 Kings 15, is a litany of short, violent reigns in Israel, contrasting with the longer, though not always righteous, reigns in Judah, such as that of Azariah (Uzziah), whose long tenure provides a stable chronological anchor for these turbulent events.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The mid-8th century BCE was a period of immense geopolitical upheaval in the Ancient Near East, dominated by the rising power of the Neo-Assyrian Empire. Both Israel and Judah were caught between the Assyrian juggernaut and the shifting alliances of smaller regional powers. The Northern Kingdom of Israel, in particular, suffered from internal strife, with a series of kings seizing power through assassination, indicating a profound breakdown of social and political order. Samaria, as the capital, was a focal point of both political intrigue and religious syncretism, having been established as a center of calf worship by Jeroboam I (see [1 Kings 12:28-30](/1_kings/12-28 "1 Kings 12:28-30 - Jeroboam's Golden Calves")). Pekah's reign would eventually lead to the Syro-Ephraimite War, a desperate attempt to resist Assyrian expansion, which ultimately backfired and hastened Israel's demise.
* **Key Themes:** The verse contributes to several overarching themes in 2 Kings. Firstly, it underscores the **chronological precision** of the biblical record, meticulously linking events in Israel to the contemporary reign in Judah, emphasizing the historical grounding of the narrative. Secondly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **political instability and divine judgment** upon the Northern Kingdom. The rapid succession of kings, often through violence, is presented as a consequence of Israel's persistent idolatry and disobedience to the Mosaic covenant, a stark contrast to the more stable Davidic line in Judah (though not without its own flaws). Finally, despite the human chaos, the narrative implicitly highlights **God's sovereign control over history**, demonstrating that even the rise and fall of kings, seemingly driven by human ambition, ultimately serves His overarching purposes, leading towards the eventual judgment and exile of Israel as prophesied in earlier books like [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pekah (Hebrew, _peqaḥ'_):** The name Pekah means "opened" or "eyes opened." Ironically, despite his name, Pekah's reign was marked by a lack of spiritual insight, leading Israel further down the path of rebellion against God. His policies, particularly the alliance with Aram against Judah, demonstrated a failure to "see" God's protective hand over Judah and the wisdom of trusting in the Lord rather than foreign alliances, as highlighted in the prophetic warnings of [Isaiah 7](/isaiah/7 "Isaiah 7 - God's Promise to Ahaz").
* **Samaria (Hebrew, _šōmrôn'_):** The capital city of the Northern Kingdom, founded by Omri (see [1 Kings 16:24](/1_kings/16-24 "1 Kings 16:24 - Omri Founds Samaria")). Samaria became synonymous with the idolatry and spiritual apostasy of Israel. Its mention here signifies not merely a geographical location but the heart of the Northern Kingdom's rebellion against Yahweh, a place destined for divine judgment due to its persistent unfaithfulness (cf. [Micah 1:5-7](/micah/1-5 "Micah 1:5-7 - Samaria's Idolatry and Destruction")).
* **Reigned (Hebrew, _mālaḵ'_):** This verb is the standard term for exercising kingship. In the context of 2 Kings, particularly concerning the Northern Kingdom, its repeated use often underscores the fragility and illegitimacy of many reigns, as power was frequently seized through violence rather than divine appointment or hereditary succession. For Pekah, it marks a reign that, despite its length, was ultimately a continuation of Israel's spiritual decline and a prelude to its final destruction.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In the two and fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah":** This precise chronological marker anchors Pekah's reign within the broader biblical timeline. Azariah, also known as Uzziah, had an exceptionally long reign in Judah (52 years, as noted in [2 Kings 15:2](/2_kings/15-2 "2 Kings 15:2 - Azariah's Reign")), providing a stable point of reference against the backdrop of Israel's rapid succession of kings. This synchronism underscores the meticulous historical record-keeping of the biblical authors.
* **"Pekah the son of Remaliah began to reign over Israel in Samaria":** This identifies the new king, Pekah, and his lineage, Remaliah, who is otherwise unknown, suggesting Pekah was not of royal descent but a usurper. His assumption of power "in Samaria" highlights the capital city as the seat of his authority and the center of Israel's political and spiritual life, albeit a corrupted one. The phrase "began to reign" marks the official start of his kingship, likely following his assassination of Pekahiah.
* **"[and reigned] twenty years":** This specifies the duration of Pekah's rule. A twenty-year reign was relatively long for a king of the Northern Kingdom during this volatile period, especially for a usurper. However, this extended period did not bring stability or spiritual revival to Israel but rather intensified its confrontation with Assyria, ultimately leading to greater suffering and accelerating its path to exile.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in 2 Kings 15:27, and indeed throughout the Books of Kings, is **Formulaic Language** and **Chronological Framework**. The repetitive structure for introducing each king's reign, including the synchronism with the contemporary monarch of the other kingdom and the duration of their rule, establishes a consistent and reliable historical record. This formulaic approach lends an air of authority and divine oversight to the narrative, suggesting that even the chaotic succession of kings in Israel is part of a divinely ordered, though often judgmental, historical progression. Furthermore, there is an implicit **Contrast** between the relative stability of Judah's Davidic monarchy (exemplified by Azariah's long reign) and the violent, unstable, and short-lived reigns of the Northern Kingdom, which highlights the consequences of Israel's rejection of the true covenant and its divinely appointed dynasty.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This seemingly simple chronological entry carries significant theological weight, underscoring God's meticulous involvement in human history and His unwavering sovereignty over the rise and fall of nations and rulers. Even in the midst of political chaos, violent coups, and human ambition, the divine hand is at work, orchestrating events to fulfill His purposes and bring about His judgments. Pekah's reign, like those before and after him, serves as a testament to the consequences of a nation's persistent rebellion against God's covenant, leading inevitably to instability and eventual downfall. The precise dating reminds us that God's plan unfolds within real time and space, affecting real people and nations.

* [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God Changes Times and Seasons")
* [Psalm 75:6-7](/psalms/75-6 "Psalm 75:6-7 - God Judges and Exalts")
* [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "Proverbs 21:1 - The King's Heart in God's Hand")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detailed historical record in 2 Kings 15:27, though seemingly dry, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God is not a distant deity but intimately involved in the affairs of nations and the lives of individuals. The instability and violence of Israel's kingship serve as a poignant warning about the dangers of rejecting divine authority and pursuing self-serving power. In a world often characterized by political turmoil and moral decay, this verse encourages us to look beyond human leaders and systems, recognizing that true stability and peace come only from submission to God's righteous rule. It calls us to pray for our leaders, to discern God's hand in current events, and to live as faithful citizens of His eternal kingdom, knowing that His purposes will ultimately prevail.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the detailed chronological record in 2 Kings 15:27 deepen your understanding of God's sovereignty over history?**
* **What lessons can we draw from the instability of the Northern Kingdom's leadership regarding the importance of righteous governance and spiritual fidelity?**
* **In what ways might we be tempted to place our trust in human leaders or political systems rather than in God's ultimate authority?**
* **How does understanding the historical context of Pekah's reign inform your prayers for leaders and nations today?**

### FAQ

**What was the significance of Pekah's twenty-year reign in the context of the Northern Kingdom?**

Answer: Pekah's twenty-year reign was unusually long for a king of the Northern Kingdom during this period, which was marked by extreme political instability and a rapid succession of short-lived rulers, often through violent coups. While its length might suggest a period of stability, it was, in fact, a time of intensified conflict and decline. Pekah formed a critical alliance with Rezin of Aram against Judah, known as the Syro-Ephraimite War (recorded in [Isaiah 7:1-9](/isaiah/7-1 "Isaiah 7:1-9 - The Syro-Ephraimite War")). This alliance, intended to force Judah into an anti-Assyrian coalition, instead led King Ahaz of Judah to appeal to Assyria for help, which ultimately resulted in Assyrian intervention, the deportation of many Israelites from the northern tribes ([2 Kings 15:29](/2_kings/15-29 "2 Kings 15:29 - Tiglath-Pileser III Captures Northern Israel")), and hastened the final downfall of Israel. Pekah himself was assassinated by Hoshea, who became the last king of Israel ([2 Kings 15:30](/2_kings/15-30 "2 Kings 15:30 - Hoshea Kills Pekah")). Thus, his reign was a pivotal, though tragic, chapter leading directly to Israel's destruction.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The turbulent and often violent succession of kings in the Northern Kingdom, as exemplified by Pekah's reign in 2 Kings 15:27, powerfully underscores the inherent brokenness and transience of human kingship. These earthly rulers, despite their power, were ultimately unable to bring lasting peace, justice, or spiritual flourishing to their people. Their reigns were marked by political intrigue, unfaithfulness, and bloodshed, pointing to humanity's desperate need for a perfect, eternal King. Jesus Christ stands in stark contrast to these flawed monarchs. He is the true King, not established by human coup or violence, but by divine appointment, the Son of God and Son of David, whose kingdom is "not of this world" yet rules over all ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")). Unlike Pekah, whose reign led to further judgment and exile, Christ's reign brings redemption, reconciliation, and eternal life to all who believe ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from Darkness")). The meticulous historical detail of 2 Kings, chronicling the failures of human rule, ultimately serves to highlight the precision of God's redemptive plan, culminating in the advent of the Messiah, whose perfect and righteous reign will never end ([Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "Luke 1:32-33 - Jesus' Eternal 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

Isaiah 7:1

¶ And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, [that] Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it.

2 Kings 15:23

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.

Isaiah 7:4

And say unto him, Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be fainthearted for the two tails of these smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin with Syria, and of the son of Remaliah.

Isaiah 7:9

And the head of Ephraim [is] Samaria, and the head of Samaria [is] Remaliah's son. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.

2 Kings 15:8

¶ In the thirty and eighth year of Azariah king of Judah did Zachariah the son of Jeroboam reign over Israel in Samaria six months.

2 Kings 15:2

Sixteen years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned two and fifty years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name [was] Jecholiah of Jerusalem.

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.