2 Kings 15:6

KJV

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?

KJV (with Strong's)

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}?

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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?

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
2 Kings 15:6 serves as a standard concluding formula for the reign of King Azariah (also known as Uzziah), a common literary device found throughout the Books of Kings. It directs the reader to external historical annals for a more comprehensive account of his lengthy and complex rule, underscoring the biblical narrative's selective, theologically driven nature, which prioritizes divine judgment and covenant faithfulness over exhaustive historical detail.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** The verse immediately follows the account of King Azariah's (Uzziah's) long reign of 52 years over Judah, specifically noting that the Lord struck him with leprosy, forcing him to live in a separate house until his death ([2 Kings 15:5](/2_kings/15-5 "2 Kings 15:5 - Azariah's Leprosy")). This judgment, as elaborated in [2 Chronicles 26:16-21](/2_chronicles/26-16 "2 Chronicles 26:16-21 - Uzziah's Presumption and Punishment"), stemmed from his presumptuous act of attempting to burn incense in the Temple, a duty exclusively reserved for the Aaronic priests. Thus, [2 Kings 15:6](/2_kings/15-6 "2 Kings 15:6 - Concluding Formula for Azariah") functions as a standard concluding formula, a common historiographical device in the Books of Kings, signaling the end of the author's focused narrative on Azariah and directing the reader to external, non-canonical records for further details of his extensive rule. It sets the stage for the subsequent account of his son and successor, Jotham.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Azariah (Uzziah) reigned over the Kingdom of Judah during the 8th century BCE, a period marked by significant political and economic prosperity, as well as ongoing interactions with powerful regional empires like Assyria. In the ancient Near East, it was a widespread cultural practice for monarchies to maintain official state annals or royal chronicles, meticulously documenting the deeds, campaigns, and significant events of their kings' reigns. The phrase "book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah" in this verse refers precisely to these non-biblical, official court records, which served as comprehensive historical archives. The mention of Azariah's leprosy in [2 Kings 15:5](/2_kings/15-5 "2 Kings 15:5 - Azariah's Leprosy") also highlights the severe social and religious implications of this disease in ancient Israel, leading to ritual impurity and isolation from the community, as prescribed in Mosaic Law (e.g., [Leviticus 13](/leviticus/13 "Leviticus 13 - Laws Concerning Leprosy")).
* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several key themes prevalent throughout the Books of Kings. Firstly, it exemplifies the **historiographical formula** consistently employed by the biblical author, which summarizes a king's reign and points to external sources 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, highlight covenant faithfulness or disobedience, and demonstrate God's sovereign interaction with His people. Secondly, the reference to these external chronicles subtly hints at **divine record-keeping** beyond Scripture itself, suggesting God's overarching interest and oversight in the full sweep of human history, even if only select portions are included in His inspired Word for specific redemptive purposes. Finally, by acknowledging "the rest of the acts of Azariah," the verse hints at **Azariah's complex legacy**, a reign that, despite its initial prosperity and military success (as seen in [2 Chronicles 26](/2_chronicles/26 "2 Chronicles 26 - Uzziah's Reign and Pride")), ultimately concluded with divine judgment due to his pride and transgression, as detailed in [2 Kings 15:5](/2_kings/15-5 "2 Kings 15:5 - Azariah's Leprosy")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Acts (Hebrew, _divrê_):** This term, often translated as "deeds" or "affairs," carries a broader meaning than simple actions. It refers to the totality of a king's public life, including his policies, military campaigns, building projects, and significant events that occurred during his reign. It implies a detailed record of his administration and impact.
* **Chronicles (Hebrew, _hayyāmîm_):** Literally meaning "the days," this word in context refers to a historical record or annals, a recounting of events as they unfolded day by day or year by year. It specifically points to the official, continuous record maintained by the royal scribes, distinct from the biblical books of Chronicles.
* **Book (Hebrew, _sēpher_):** This term denotes a written document, typically a scroll in ancient times. Its use here indicates a formal, compiled record, suggesting the existence of extensive, authoritative historical archives kept by the Judahite monarchy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the rest of the acts of Azariah":** This phrase serves as a transition, indicating that the preceding narrative in 2 Kings has provided only a summary or select highlights of King Azariah's reign. "The rest of the acts" implies a vast array of other significant events, policies, and accomplishments that are not detailed within the biblical text.
* **"and all that he did":** This expansive phrase further emphasizes the comprehensive nature of Azariah's lengthy 52-year reign. It suggests that his activities were extensive and multifaceted, encompassing every aspect of his rule, both good and bad, which the biblical author chooses not to elaborate upon.
* **"[are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?":** This rhetorical question is a standard formula used throughout the Books of Kings. It functions as an authoritative pointer to external, non-biblical historical records—the official state annals maintained by the Judahite monarchy. By posing it as a question, the author affirms the existence and accessibility of these comprehensive records, thereby validating the selective nature of the biblical account and reassuring the reader that a fuller historical picture was available elsewhere, even if not deemed essential for the theological purposes of Kings.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Formulaic Language**, a recurring literary device throughout the Books of Kings. This standardized concluding statement, repeated for nearly every monarch, provides structural consistency and signals the end of the biblical author's focused narrative on a particular king. It creates a sense of continuity and predictability for the reader. Furthermore, the phrase "[are] they not written..." functions as a **Rhetorical Question**, which, rather than seeking information, serves to affirm the undeniable existence and accessibility of the "book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah." This rhetorical device lends authority to the biblical text by implicitly stating that its account is not exhaustive but is supported by verifiable external records. Finally, the verse utilizes **Ellipsis** or **Conciseness**, implying a vast amount of unstated historical detail about Azariah's reign, thereby highlighting the selective nature of the biblical narrative, which prioritizes theological and spiritual lessons over comprehensive historical documentation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This seemingly administrative verse carries significant theological weight. It underscores the distinct purpose of the biblical narrative, particularly the Books of Kings. Unlike a secular historical chronicle that aims for exhaustive detail, the Bible is a divinely inspired, theologically selective account. Its primary goal is not merely to record "all that he did" but to reveal God's character, His covenant faithfulness, the consequences of obedience and disobedience, and His sovereign hand in the rise and fall of nations and kings. The existence of external records, to which the biblical author points, paradoxically highlights the *sufficiency* of what God *has* chosen to reveal in Scripture for His redemptive purposes, while affirming His knowledge of all history.

* [1 Kings 14:29](/1_kings/14-29 "1 Kings 14:29 - Rehoboam's Reign and the Chronicles of Judah")
* [2 Kings 20:20](/2_kings/20-20 "2 Kings 20:20 - Hezekiah's Reign and the Chronicles of Judah")
* [Psalm 139:16](/psalm/139-16 "Psalm 139:16 - God's Omniscience and Our Days")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In an age saturated with information, 2 Kings 15:6 offers a profound lesson on the nature of truth and divine revelation. It reminds us that while human history is vast and complex, God, in His infinite wisdom, has chosen to reveal to us precisely what is necessary for our salvation, spiritual growth, and understanding of His redemptive plan. The Bible is not a mere textbook of facts but a living Word designed to transform hearts and minds. This verse encourages us to trust in the sufficiency of Scripture, recognizing that what God has chosen to include—and what He has chosen to omit, pointing to other records—is purposeful. It challenges us to look beyond superficial historical details to grasp the deeper theological truths and the overarching narrative of God's interaction with humanity, learning from the selective accounts of kings like Azariah about the enduring principles of obedience, judgment, and grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Bible's selective approach to history, as exemplified by this verse, shape our understanding of its primary purpose?**
* **If "all that we did" is known to God, even if not recorded in Scripture, how does this truth impact our daily lives and choices?**
* **What lessons can we draw from Azariah's complex legacy, where prosperity was followed by judgment, even when only a summary is provided?**

### FAQ
**Is "the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah" the same as the biblical books of 1 & 2 Chronicles?**

Answer: No, they are distinct. The phrase "the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah" (or Israel) found consistently throughout the Books of Kings refers to the official, non-biblical royal annals or state records maintained by the scribes of the Judahite monarchy. These were comprehensive historical archives of royal activities and national events. While the biblical books of 1 & 2 Chronicles, written much later, may have drawn upon such historical sources, they are theological works with a distinct purpose—to recount Israel's history from a priestly and Davidic perspective, emphasizing worship, the temple, and the Davidic covenant. The content and focus of the biblical Chronicles differ significantly from the "book of the chronicles" referenced in Kings, which were secular historical documents.

**Why does the Bible often refer to external sources instead of providing all the historical details itself?**

Answer: The biblical authors, particularly of the Books of Kings, were not writing exhaustive historical encyclopedias but rather theologically driven narratives. Their primary purpose was to interpret history through the lens of God's covenant with Israel, highlighting the consequences of obedience and disobedience, the nature of kingship under God's sovereignty, and the unfolding of His redemptive plan. By referring to external chronicles, the authors implicitly affirm the historical reality of the events while simultaneously signaling that their own account is selective and purposeful. They include only the details essential for conveying their spiritual and theological message, trusting that more comprehensive historical data was available in the official state records for those who sought it. This approach underscores the Bible's unique role as a revelation of God's truth, not merely a secular history book.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Kings 15:6 appears to be a simple historical footnote, its underlying theological principles find profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The very concept of "the rest of the acts" being recorded points to a divine meticulousness over history, a grand narrative orchestrated by God. This meticulous divine record-keeping culminates in the ultimate "act" of God: the incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He is the central figure around whom all history revolves, the one whose "acts" are not merely recorded in human annals but are eternally significant and salvific. The selective nature of the Old Testament narratives, which point to fuller accounts elsewhere, foreshadows the ultimate and complete revelation of God in Christ, who is the "fullness of the Godhead bodily" ([Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - Fullness of God in Christ")). Just as the Old Testament points beyond itself to a more complete story, so too does all history point to the coming of the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). In Christ, we find not just a summary of deeds, but the very embodiment of God's redemptive purpose, the One in whom "all things hold together" ([Colossians 1:17](/colossians/1-17 "Colossians 1:17 - Christ, the Sustainer of All Things")), and whose story is the definitive chronicle of salvation for all eternity. The "book of life" ([Revelation 20:12](/revelation/20-12 "Revelation 20:12 - The Book of Life")) is the ultimate chronicle, where those whose names are written in Christ are found, fulfilling God's sovereign plan throughout all the "days."

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 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?