2 Kings 15

2 Kings 15

The rise and fall of kings continues in 2 Kings 15, and the chapter opens with Azariah on the throne in Judah. Like his father before him, he followed after God, but not fully. While he was not as bad as some of the king of the past, especially those in Israel, his partial obedience was still disobedience. Amaziah, his father, suffered some severe trials during his life because of his partial obedience, and Azariah found God’s punishment as well. He developed leprosy and had to keep himself away from the rest of the people of Israel (as was according to the Law). As a result, he was not able to reign over Judah like most kings. Instead, his son Jotham dealt with most of the everyday duties of the king. His situation goes to show that we should never be satisfied with our partial obedience. God calls for total commitment, and if we are not willing to surrender everything to Him, then we are not really committed to Him. God tells us in Revelation 3 that He would rather us be hot or cold (for Him or against Him), than lukewarm. Azariah was blessed by God in that he was given a long reign in Israel, but he missed out on so many of God’s blessings because he did not surrender completely to Him.


During his long reign, Israel went through 5 different kings. They continued on their downward spiral as none of these kings helped turn Israel back to God. Instead, they only drover Israel further away. As a result, Israel endured a series of trials and tribulations. The current royal line that had lasted for a few generations was destroyed as conspiracies and assassinations prompted new families to take over the throne in Israel. This was what happened to Zechariah. Then, during the reign of Shallum, Israel lost great portions of land. During Menahem’s reign, Israel suffered great financial setbacks. Pekahiah had a short reign due to yet another conspiracy/assassination. Finally, Pekah took the throne, and once again, Israel faced defeat in battle and the loss of land. This was also the first time in which some of the Israelites were taken into captivity. God hates sin, and He punishes those who live in it. His desire is that we turn back to Him, and He gives us plenty of opportunities to do so. But when we remain stubborn and continue to live in that sin, there are consequences that we must face, God’s attempts to draw us back unto Himself. God did not want to destroy Israel, but He also could not accept their sin any longer. Exile was coming.

Meanwhile, during the reign of Israel’s latest king, Pekah, Azariah died. Jotham officially became the king of Judah, and like his father and grandfather before him, he followed God but not wholeheartedly. He continued in the way of partial obedience and God began to rise up nations that would one day come against Judah as well. Although they had not drifted as far as Israel had, God wanted to get their attention as well, hoping that they would soon return to Him in complete obedience.

Matt