2 Kings15

Second Kings chapter 15 details the reigns of several kings in both Judah and Israel, highlighting a period of significant instability in the northern kingdom. In Judah, Azariah (also known as Uzziah) reigns for 52 years, doing right in the sight of the LORD but failing to remove the high places, and is smitten with leprosy. His son Jotham reigns after him, also doing right but maintaining the high places. Conversely, Israel experiences a rapid succession of five kings—Zachariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah, and Pekah—all of whom do evil and are overthrown by conspiracy, fulfilling a prophecy concerning Jehu's house and demonstrating the kingdom's moral decay and vulnerability to external powers like Assyria.

Azariah (Uzziah) Reigns in Judah

1
In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign. ​
2
Sixteen years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem: and his mother’s name was Jecoliah of Jerusalem.
3
He did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. ​
4
However the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places. ​
5
The LORD struck the king, so that he was a leper to the day of his death, and lived in a separate house. Jotham the king’s son was over the household, judging the people of the land. ​
6
Now the rest of the acts of Azariah, and all that he did, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
7
Azariah slept with his fathers; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David: and Jotham his son reigned in his place.

Zachariah of Israel Assassinated

8
In the thirty-eighth year of Azariah king of Judah, Zechariah the son of Jeroboam reigned over Israel in Samaria six months. ​
9
He did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his fathers had done: he didn’t depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin.
10
Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him, and struck him before the people, and killed him, and reigned in his place. ​
11
Now the rest of the acts of Zechariah, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.
12
This was the LORD’s word which he spoke to Jehu, saying, “Your sons to the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel.” So it came to pass. ​

Shallum's Brief Reign

13
Shallum the son of Jabesh began to reign in the thirty-ninth year of Uzziah king of Judah; and he reigned for a month in Samaria. ​
14
Menahem the son of Gadi went up from Tirzah, and came to Samaria, and struck Shallum the son of Jabesh in Samaria, and killed him, and reigned in his place.
15
Now the rest of the acts of Shallum, and his conspiracy which he made, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.
16
Then Menahem struck Tiphsah, and all who were therein, and its borders, from Tirzah: because they didn’t open to him, therefore he struck it; and all the women therein who were with child he ripped up. ​

Menahem Pays Tribute to Assyria

17
In the nine and thirtieth year of Azariah king of Judah, Menahem the son of Gadi began to reign over Israel for ten years in Samaria. ​
18
He did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD: he didn’t depart all his days from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin.
19
There came against the land Pul the king of Assyria; and Menahem gave Pul one thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand. ​
20
Menahem exacted the money of Israel, even of all the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and didn’t stay there in the land. ​
21
Now the rest of the acts of Menahem, and all that he did, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
22
Menahem slept with his fathers; and Pekahiah his son reigned in his place.

Pekahiah Rules Israel

23
In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah Pekahiah the son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria for two years. ​
24
He did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD: he didn’t depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin.
25
Pekah the son of Remaliah, his captain, conspired against him, and struck him in Samaria, in the castle of the king’s house, with Argob and Arieh; and with him were fifty men of the Gileadites: and he killed him, and reigned in his place. ​
26
Now the rest of the acts of Pekahiah, and all that he did, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.

Pekah's Reign and Assyrian Invasion

27
In the two and fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah Pekah the son of Remaliah began to reign over Israel in Samaria for twenty years. ​
28
He did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD: he didn’t depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin.
29
In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglath Pileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abel Beth Maacah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali; and he carried them captive to Assyria. ​
30
Hoshea the son of Elah made a conspiracy against Pekah the son of Remaliah, and struck him, and killed him, and reigned in his place, in the twentieth year of Jotham the son of Uzziah. ​
31
Now the rest of the acts of Pekah, and all that he did, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.

Jotham Reigns in Judah

32
In the second year of Pekah the son of Remaliah king of Israel began Jotham the son of Uzziah king of Judah to reign. ​
33
He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: and his mother’s name was Jerusha the daughter of Zadok.
34
He did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD; he did according to all that his father Uzziah had done. ​
35
However the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burned incense in the high places. He built the upper gate of the LORD’s house. ​
36
Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all that he did, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
37
In those days the LORD began to send against Judah Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah. ​
38
Jotham slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Ahaz his son reigned in his place.

Study Notes for 2 Kings 15

Verse 1

Azariah is the name used in Kings, while the contemporary prophet Isaiah (Isa 1:1) and the Chronicler (2 Chron 26) refer to him as Uzziah. His reign (52 years) was one of the longest in Judah's history.

Verse 3

To do 'that which was right' means adhering generally to the covenant law and worshipping the LORD, distinguishing him from the wicked kings of Israel.

Verse 4

The failure to remove the 'high places' (local shrines) is the standard critique of even the best kings of Judah, indicating the constant struggle against decentralized, syncretistic worship.

Verse 5

Azariah was struck with leprosy (2 Chron 26:16-21 attributes this to his arrogance in trying to offer incense in the Temple). Because a leper was ceremonially unclean, his son Jotham acted as regent, governing the kingdom.

Verse 8

Zachariah’s six-month reign marks the end of the Jehu dynasty, initiating a period of extreme political instability in Israel characterized by rapid coups.

Verse 10

The phrase 'before the people' suggests this was a public assassination or coup, not a secretive murder, cementing Shallum’s claim to the throne.

Verse 12

This verse confirms the fulfillment of God’s promise to Jehu (2 Kings 10:30), whose dynasty lasted exactly four generations: Jehu, Jehoahaz, Joash, Jeroboam II, and Zachariah.

Verse 13

Shallum's reign of a single month highlights the complete chaos and lack of legitimate succession in the Northern Kingdom following the end of Jehu’s line.

Verse 16

Menahem's brutality against Tiphsah for not supporting his coup, including the horrific practice of ripping up pregnant women, shows the violence and moral decay gripping Israel.

Verse 17

Menahem’s reign is defined by the growing threat of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, which would eventually destroy Israel.

Verse 19

Pul is the shortened name used for the powerful Assyrian King Tiglath-pileser III (745–727 BC). Menahem became a vassal king, paying tribute to buy Assyrian protection and confirm his precarious rule.

Verse 20

Menahem raised the required tribute (1,000 talents of silver) by imposing a heavy tax on the wealthy citizens, further alienating the powerful elites in Israel.

Verse 23

Pekahiah was the last king of Israel to inherit the throne peacefully from his father, Menahem, before the final wave of coups and the collapse of the kingdom.

Verse 25

Pekah, one of Pekahiah's own army captains, led the coup, underscoring the military nature of the political instability. The Gileadites were likely regional loyalists supporting Pekah.

Verse 27

Pekah reigned for twenty years, though this number is debated by chronologists; the length may include a co-regency or rival claim period.

Verse 29

Tiglath-pileser III systematically annexed Israelite territory, particularly the northern and eastern regions (Galilee and Gilead). This was the first major mass deportation of Israelites, fulfilling prophetic warnings of exile.

Verse 30

Hoshea’s conspiracy followed the defeat of Pekah by Assyria. Hoshea would become the final king of Israel before the destruction of Samaria (2 Kings 17).

Verse 32

Jotham had already served as regent during his father Azariah/Uzziah's illness (v. 5), ensuring a smooth transition and continued stability in Judah.

Verse 34

Jotham maintained a strong commitment to the Mosaic covenant, following his father's generally positive spiritual example.

Verse 35

Despite his righteousness, Jotham failed, like many predecessors, to eradicate the local high places. He is noted for strengthening the Temple complex by building the 'higher gate.'

Verse 37

This verse introduces the alliance between Rezin (Syria) and Pekah (Israel) that would soon launch the Syro-Ephraimite War against Judah (c. 735 BC), a major crisis detailed in the following chapters.

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