2 Kings 15
Meaning of 2 Kings 15
2 Kings 15 is a chapter in the Bible, within the Old Testament. This chapter outlines a portion of the history of the kings of Judah and Israel. It includes various accounts of their reigns, accomplishments, and downfalls.
At the start of the chapter, Azariah (also known as Uzziah) becomes king of Judah. He’s described as a righteous king who did what was pleasing in the sight of the Lord, although the people continued to make sacrifices at pagan shrines. After a reign of 52 years, he is struck with leprosy and his son Jotham takes over as king.
The chapter then shifts focus to the northern kingdom of Israel, and provides brief summaries of the reigns of several of its kings – Zechariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah, and Pekah. This period in Israel’s history was characterized by political instability, with kings frequently coming to power through violent coups.
The chapter ends with a brief mention of Jotham becoming king of Judah. He is praised for doing what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but like his predecessors, he could not stop the people’s pagan practices.
Overall, 2 Kings 15 illustrates the difficulties both Israel and Judah faced in adhering to their faith and maintaining political stability, with both nations falling into sin and idolatry, despite the efforts of some of their kings.
2 Kings 15 kjv
2 Kings 15, in the King James Version, continues to tell the history of the kings of Israel and Judah. Here is a summary of the chapter:
1. Verses 1-7: Tells about Azariah (also referred to as Uzziah), king of Judah, who ruled for fifty-two years from Jerusalem. Azariah did what God considered right, following the example of his father, Amaziah. Unfortunately, he contracted leprosy and lived in isolation, while his son, Jotham, took over the affairs of the kingdom.
2. Verses 8-12: The narrative moves to the northern kingdom of Israel, focusing on the reign of Zechariah, son of Jeroboam II. Zechariah did not obey God, following the sinful practices of the first king Jeroboam. His reign was short, only six months, before he was assassinated by Shallum, fulfilling the prophecy God made to Jehu that his descendants would sit on the throne until the fourth generation.
3. Verses 13-16: Tells about the short, one-month reign of Shallum, who is assassinated by Menahem. Menahem, then, not only becomes king but also strikes the town of Tiphsah and its vicinity because they did not open their gates to him.
4. Verses 17-22: Discusses the ten-year reign of Menahem. Like his predecessors, he too did evil and didn’t follow God’s commandments. During his rule, Assyria’s king Tiglath-Pileser advances, and Menahem is forced to pay a large tribute to maintain peace.
5. Verses 23-26: Records the reign of Pekahiah, Menahem’s son, who ruled for two years and continued the sins of Jeroboam. He was assassinated by his officer Pekah, who then reigned in his place.
6. Verses 27-31: Describes the twenty-year reign of Pekah, who also did evil in the eyes of God. During his reign, Tiglath-Pileser, king of Assyria, again invades Israel and takes people captive. Eventually, Pekah is assassinated by Hoshea.
7. Verses 32-38: The narrative switches back to Judah, to the reign of Jotham, son of Uzziah. He did what was right in God’s sight but was unable to remove the high places where people continued idol worship. The chapter concludes with his death and the ascension of his son Ahaz.
In summary, 2 Kings 15 KJV chronicles the rapid succession of kings in both Israel and Judah, most of whom did not follow God’s laws, leading both kingdoms into various forms of turmoil, invasion, and violence.
2 Kings 15 nkjv
2 Kings 15 is a chapter from the Holy Bible (New King James Version) that discusses the reigns of four kings of Israel and four kings of Judah over a chaotic and turbulent period in the history of these divided kingdoms.
The chapter begins with the 16th king of Judah, Azariah (also known as Uzziah), who reigns in Jerusalem for 52 years. His rule is described as righteous in the eyes of the Lord, although he does not remove the high places where pagan worship continues. He is stricken with leprosy until his death for his pride and trying to burn incense in the temple, a duty reserved for the priests.
Then the narrative moves to the kings of Israel. Zechariah, the son of Jeroboam II, ascends the throne, reigns for six months, and like his predecessors, does evil in the sight of the Lord. He is assassinated by Shallum who seizes the throne, fulfilling the prophecy given to Jehu that his sons would rule to the fourth generation.
Shallum’s reign is short just for a month. He is killed by Menahem who becomes the next king of Israel. Menahem is a cruel king and his reign lasts for ten years. He pays a significant tribute to the Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser to keep him from invading.
His son Pekahiah succeeds Menahem but reigns for only two years before being assassinated by his captain, Pekah, who then rules for 20 years. During Pekah’s reign, Tiglath-Pileser, the king of Assyria, invades Israel and starts its decline.
Meanwhile in Judah, Jotham becomes king after his father Azariah. He reigns righteously for 16 years, although like his father, he does not remove the high places of worship. The chapter ends with his death.
The chapter portrays a tumultuous period in the history of the Judah and Israel, filled with violence, assassinations, idolatry, and political instability. It also highlights the prophetic intervention in these kingdoms’ affairs, the signs of divine judgment, and the beginnings of Assyrian aggression against Israel.
2 Kings 15 niv
Sure, let’s go through the NIV (New International Version) translation of 2 Kings 15.
The chapter details several kings of Israel and Judah. It begins with Azariah (also known as Uzziah) who reigns in Judah for 52 years starting at only 16 years old. Azariah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, though the high places were not removed. He was struck with leprosy, however, and his son Jotham took over the administrative duties of the kingdom.
Around the same time, Zechariah becomes king over Israel following his father Jeroboam but he does evil as his predecessors. His reign is short since Shallum conspires against him and kills him to take over the throne. But his reign lasts only a month before Menahem kills him and becomes king. Menahem rules with violence and heavily taxes the people.
When Menahem dies, his son Pekahiah becomes king but reigns only two years before Pekah, one of his captains, conspires against him, kills him, and takes over the throne. Pekah reigns twenty years doing evil in God’s sight and then is assassinated by Hoshea, who takes his place as king of Israel.
Meanwhile, in Judah, Jotham becomes the official king following his father Azariah’s death. He reigns for sixteen years and is noted as doing right in the Lord’s eyes, though he does not remove the high places. After his death, Ahaz his son reigns as king.
This chapter in the Book of Kings highlights the turbulent reigns of these kings and their various assassinations or usurpations. While some kings did what was right in God’s eyes, many others did not, and this often led to instability in their rule.
What is 2 Kings 15 all about?
2 Kings 15 is a chapter in the Bible found in the Old Testament. It relates the reigns of several kings of Judah and Israel. This chapter forms part of the Deuteronomic History, a series of books that cover Israel’s history from their entrance into the promised land to their exile to Babylon.
The chapter begins with the account of Azariah (also known as Uzziah), the king of Judah, who reigned for 52 years. It is recorded that he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, but the high places were not removed and the people continued sacrificing and making offerings on the high places. Azariah contracted leprosy and his son, Jotham, succeeded him as king.
The chapter then turns to detailing the activities of a series of Israelite kings, including Zechariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah, and Pekah. It narrates the frequent political instability, assassinations, and conspiracies that marked these reigns. For example, Zechariah only ruled for six months before being assassinated by Shallum, who in turn ruled for only a month before being assassinated by Menahem.
Next, it goes back to the southern kingdom of Judah, mentioning the reign of Jotham, the son of Azariah. He ruled well and did what was right in the sight of the Lord, yet the high places remained and the people continued their offerings there.
After Jotham, the books records the rule of several more Israelite kings, and these accounts, like those before, are marked by violence, conspiracy, and rapid succession. The chapter ends with an attack on Israel by Tiglath-Pileser, king of Assyria, who was invited by an Israelite king named Ahaz to come to his aid.
What does 2 Kings 15 teaches?
2 Kings 15 is a chapter in the Bible that provides a historical account of the reigns of several kings in both Israel and Judah. These include Azariah (also known as Uzziah), Zechariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah, Pekah in Israel, and Jotham in Judah.
This chapter, along with many other chapters in Kings, emphasizes the theme of leadership and its influences, both good and bad, on the people. The kings who did what was “right in the sight of the Lord” generally had relatively stable and prosperous reigns, while those who did “evil in the sight of the Lord” faced political instability, assassination and divine judgment.
Azariah is described as a king who did what was right, but his leprosy, seen as divine punishment for his pride, kept him from fully serving in his kingly role. His son Jotham also did what was right, but the people continued to act corruptly.
In contrast, the kings of Israel (Zechariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah, Pekah) all did “evil in the eyes of the Lord,” leading to short, unstable reigns marked by violence and conspiracy.
In total, 2 Kings 15 teaches the importance of righteous leadership and the consequences of straying from God’s laws. It delivers the message that blessings come through obedience to God’s commands while disobedience results in judgments.
A Sermon on 2 Kings 15
2 Kings 15 delves into the reigns of various kings of Judah and Israel. This has implications for religious and moral understanding, often used as the basis for sermons. A sermon on this chapter could focus on various aspects, but here’s a general overview:
Title: “God and the Consequences of Ignoble Leadership”
1. Opening Prayer: Start the sermon by inviting God’s presence. Pray for clarity and understanding of God’s word.
2. Introduction: Briefly explain the context of 2 Kings 15. It covers a time of political instability and moral decline in the kingdoms of Israel and Judah.
3. God and Leadership: Shine a spotlight on the kings mentioned – Azariah (Uzziah), Zachariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah, Pekah, and Jotham. Explain that some kings were righteous, following God’s commandments (like Azariah and Jotham), while others fell into evil practices (like Menahem and Pekah). This shows that each king had a choice in defining their relationship with God.
4. God’s Sovereignty: Discuss how God allowed the Assyrian empire to gain power. Using the story of Menahem who willingly paid off Pul, underline how God can use external pressures (like the Assyrians) to correct His people.
5. Consequences of Sin: Teach on how the downfall of the various kings and the turmoil in the land speak to the consequences of turning away from God. Highlight the assassination of Pekahiah and the usurpation by Pekah as an example of the chaos that can ensue when leaders choose paths of corruption and ungodliness.
6. God’s Influence Despite Leadership Failures: Emphasise that even during eras of wicked leadership, God’s influence and control over affairs remained constant. Instances of righteous kings like Jotham amid the tumult serve to remind the people that God is present, active and working to bring about His ultimate plans and purposes.
7. Lessons for Today: Conclude by emphasizing the relevance of these lessons today. Encourage the congregation to choose the path of righteousness, exemplified by the noble kings, and avoid the path of wickedness, demonstrated by fallen kings.
8. Closing Prayer: End the sermon with a prayer for wisdom and strength to make righteous choices, and the grace to consistently turn towards God.
Remember, the interpretation of the bible can slightly vary based on the denomination, tradition, or personal beliefs of a preacher.
Key people in 2 Kings 15
2 Kings 15 recounts the reign of several kings. Here are the key people:
1. Azariah (Uzziah): King of Judah who did right in the sight of the Lord, though the high places in Judah were not taken away. He had leprosy until the day of his death, and his son Jotham governed the palace and the land.
2. Zechariah: He began to reign over Israel in Samaria after his father Jeroboam. He did evil in the sight of the Lord, as did his fathers, and was not able to turn people away from the sins of Jeroboam. He was portrayed as a weak ruler who was assassinated by Shallum after reigning for only six months.
3. Shallum: He killed Zechariah and took over as king. His reign in Samaria lasted only one month because he was assassinated by Menahem, son of Gadi.
4. Menahem: The son of Gadi who killed Shallum to become king. He was brutal and cruel, inflicting heavy taxes on the rich to pay tribute to Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria. He reigned for ten years and did evil in the sight of the Lord.
5. Pekahiah: He was the son of Menahem and became king after his father’s death. He continued the evil practices of Jeroboam, He reigned for two years before being assassinated by Pekah.
6. Pekah: He was an officer in Pekahiah’s army who killed him and became king. He reigned for 20 years but his reign was marked by evil and the loss of territories to the Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser.
7. Jotham: He became king after his father Uzziah’s death. He did what was right in the sight of the Lord but couldn’t remove the high places where people sacrificed and burnt incense. He built the upper gate of the house of the Lord. His rule was marked by peace and prosperity.
8. Tiglath-Pileser: The king of Assyria who invaded Israel during the reign of Pekah, taking captive the people of Galilee, Naphtali, and Gilead.
These are the figures who affected the lives and actions of God’s people during this period.
Real world examples on 2 Kings 15
The book of 2 Kings 15 discusses the reigns of several Israelite and Judean kings. Below are its real-world applications:
1. Azariah’s Reign (2 Kings 15:1-7): Known also as Uzziah, Azariah was one of Judah’s righteous kings. However, he still didn’t remove the high places where people sacrificed to God, leading to continued false worship. It reflects our situation today when we allow areas of compromise in our lives, where we may still be committing sins regularly, thus keeping us from complete obedience to God.
2. Zechariah’s Reign (2 Kings 15:8-12): Zechariah, Israel’s king, did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord. This could serve as a warning to leaders today to act justly and morally, obeying laws and guiding people towards a better path.
3. Shallum’s Reign (2 Kings 15:13-15): Shallum only reigned for a month before being assassinated. This could serve as a reminder that leadership based on power and subversion often leads to unstable rule and can result in the same for oneself.
4. Menahem’s Reign (2 Kings 15:16-22): Known for his cruel actions, such as ripping open pregnant women. This cautionary tale reminds leaders not to be tyrannical or ruthless.
5. Pekahiah and Pekah’s Reign (2 Kings 15:23-31): Both leaders didn’t do what was right in the eyes of the Lord, and Pekah partnered with King Rezin of Syria to attack Judah. This shows that alliances or partnerships built on wrongdoing will not be blessed.
Translating these examples into the real world prompts leaders to consider the effects of corruption, unethical behavior, brutality, alliances based on ill intentions, and spiritual blindness. It’s a robust reminder of being accountable and responsible for our actions, decisions, and the way we treat people around us. It warns us that ungodly actions do have consequences, even if they are not immediate.
Brief Explanation of 2 Kings 15
2 Kings 15 details the reigns of various kings in the nations of Israel and Judah during a tumultuous time period in their history.
In Judah, the chapter records the reign of Uzziah (also known as Azariah), who ruled for 52 years and did what was right in the eyes of God. He was struck with leprosy for becoming prideful and trying to burn incense in the temple, a duty reserved only for the priests. His son, Jotham, took over ruling duties for him.
The chapter also documents the reign of several kings of Israel, where there was political instability with multiple assassinations and usurpings. Zechariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah, and Pekah were all kings during this time. Most led wicked reigns and did not serve God, leading to their downfall.
2 Kings 15 ends with the beginning of King Jotham’s reign. Like his father, Jotham did what was right in the sight of the Lord. The chapter records that the high places were still being used for sacrifices and offerings, which was not God’s perfect will. God’s judgement was imminent because of the ongoing sin and disobedience of his people.
Frequently asked questions for 2 Kings 15
1. Who are the kings mentioned in 2 Kings 15?
In 2 Kings 15, several kings are mentioned, including Azariah (also known as Uzziah) of Judah, Zechariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah, and Pekah of Israel, along with Jotham of Judah.
2. Why was Azariah (Uzziah) struck with leprosy?
Azariah was struck with leprosy by God as a punishment for burning incense in the Lord’s Temple, a task that was reserved only for the sons of Aaron who were dedicated as priests.
3. Who killed Zechariah and why?
Shallum killed Zechariah to take over the throne of Israel. Zechariah’s assassination ended the lineage of Jehu’s dynasty to which God had promised to give the kingdom of Israel up to four generations.
4. How did Menahem become a king?
After Shallum held the throne of Israel for only a month, Menahem assassinated him and reigned in his place.
5. How long did each king reign in 2 Kings 15?
Azariah reigned for 52 years, Zechariah reigned for 6 months, Shallum reigned for 1 month, Menahem reigned for 10 years, Pekahiah reigned for 2 years, Pekah reigned for 20 years, and Jotham reigned for 16 years in 2 Kings 15.
6. What did King Jotham do during his reign?
It is mentioned that King Jotham did what was righteous in the eyes of the Lord, just like his father Uzziah, except he did not enter into the temple of the Lord which indicates that he did not commit the same sin as his father.
Remember that interpretations can vary based on different versions of the Bible and different theological perspectives.
Possible References for 2 Kings 15
2 Kings Chapter 15 is a book in the Old Testament of the Bible that forms part of the Deuteronomistic history, a series of books (Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings) that constitute a theological history of the Israelites. It shares prophetic judgments on the kings of Israel and Judah.
Here is an overview of 2 Kings 15:
– It begins with the reign of Azariah (also called Uzziah) over Judah, who did right in the sight of God but did not remove the high places.
– Azariah contracted leprosy and his son Jotham took over the affairs of running the kingdom.
– The book then moves to the kingdom of Israel and the succession of its kings starting with Zechariah, the son of Jeroboam II, who reigned for just six months before being assassinated by Shallum.
– Shallum then took over the throne, but his reign also lasted for only a month before he was killed by Menahem.
– Menahem then ruled ten years with a reign marked by cruelty and heavy taxation.
– Pekahiah, his son, took over but was assassinated by Pekah after just two years.
– Pekah then began a reign that lasted twenty years before he too was assassinated by Hoshea.
– The narrative then returns to Judah, where Jotham – son and successor of Azariah – reigned for 16 years. The chapter describes him as a mostly good and righteous king, but like his father, he did not remove the high places.
In sum, 2 Kings 15 is focused on the histories of the kings who ruled over both Israel and Judah, highlighting their actions, their reigns, and the impacts of their governance on the people.
Conclusion on 2 Kings 15
2 Kings 15 is a chapter from the Old Testament in the Bible that outlines the reigns of several kings of Judah and Israel. The chapter details the deeds, successes, and misfortunes of reining kings Azariah, Zechariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah, Pekah, and Jotham.
The conclusion of the chapter can be summarized as a period of great turmoil and instability for both the kingdoms of Judah and Israel. There are rapid transitions of power, with several kings being overthrown in violent coups. This constant upheaval and power struggle suggest a lack of unity and the absence of strong leadership and foresight.
The numerous religious transgressions, such as idolatry and abandonment of God’s commandments, underline the spiritual downfall of the nations. Despite the prophetic warnings, there’s persistent failure to return to monotheistic worship. This ongoing disobedience is thought to be leading the kingdoms of Judah and Israel into danger and chaos, setting the stage for future conflicts and tribulations.
2 Kings 15, therefore, concludes with a sense of impending doom and judgment due to the kings’ disobedience to God and their failure to guide their people in a godly manner.