2 Kings 15:6

And the rest of the acts of Azariah, and all that he did, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

And the rest {H3499} of the acts {H1697} of Azariah {H5838}, and all that he did {H6213}, are they not written {H3789} in the book {H5612} of the chronicles {H1697}{H3117} of the kings {H4428} of Judah {H3063}?

Other activities of 'Azaryah and all his accomplishments are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Y'hudah.

As for the rest of the acts of Azariah, along with all his accomplishments, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?

Now the rest of the acts of Azariah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

Commentary

2 Kings 15:6 serves as a concise summary statement concerning King Azariah (also known as Uzziah), a common literary device found throughout the Books of Kings. It concludes the brief account of his reign provided in 2 Kings, directing the reader to other historical sources for a more comprehensive understanding of his actions.

Context

King Azariah, also known as Uzziah, reigned over Judah for an impressive 52 years, as noted in 2 Kings 15:2. His reign was largely prosperous and militarily successful, but it ended tragically. The preceding verse, 2 Kings 15:5, reveals that the Lord struck him with leprosy, causing him to live in a separate house until his death. This judgment was a direct consequence of his presumption in attempting to burn incense in the Temple, a duty reserved only for the priests, as detailed in 2 Chronicles 26:16-21. Verse 6 acts as a standard concluding formula, signaling the end of the narrative focus on Azariah within the Book of Kings and pointing to external records for further details.

Key Themes

  • Historiographical Formula: This verse exemplifies the consistent pattern in the Books of Kings, where the reigns of monarchs are summarized, and readers are directed to "the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah" (or Israel) for a fuller account. This formula underscores that the biblical narrative is not an exhaustive historical record but a theologically driven one, selectively presenting events to convey spiritual lessons and God's interaction with His people.
  • Divine Record-Keeping: While the Bible itself is God's inspired word, this reference to external chronicles suggests that God also oversees secular historical records. It implies a divine interest in the full sweep of human history, even if only select portions are included in Scripture for specific purposes.
  • Azariah's Complex Legacy: Though 2 Kings offers a brief overview, the reference to "the rest of the acts" acknowledges a significant and multifaceted reign, which included both periods of faithfulness and a critical lapse that led to divine judgment.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah" (Hebrew: sepher divrei hayyamim l'malkhei yehudah) refers to official royal annals or state records, not the biblical books of 1 & 2 Chronicles. While the biblical Chronicles often draw from such historical sources, this phrase consistently points to a broader, non-canonical set of historical documents. It highlights the ancient practice of maintaining detailed records of royal activities and national events.

Practical Application

This seemingly simple verse offers several contemporary insights:

  • The Value of History: It reminds us of the importance of historical records and learning from the past, whether it's the successes or failures of leaders and nations. Understanding history provides context for the present and guidance for the future.
  • God's Sovereignty in Detail: Even in what appears to be a mere administrative note, we see God's hand in preserving records. It suggests that every detail of life and history is known to God, even if not every detail is revealed to us. Our full story, "all that we did," is truly known to Him, as Psalm 139:16 reminds us.
  • Focus of Scripture: The verse implicitly teaches us about the Bible's purpose. It's not an encyclopedia of all facts but a revelation of God's character, His plan of salvation, and His relationship with humanity. It focuses on what is spiritually essential, leaving other historical details to their respective chronicles.
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 Chronicles 26:5

    And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.

  • 2 Chronicles 26:15

    And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.

  • 2 Kings 14:18

    And the rest of the acts of Amaziah, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
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