Bible Commentaries
2 Kings 15

Introduction

Overview

2 Kings 15:1, Azariah’s good reign; 2 Kings 15:5, He dying a leper, Jotham succeeds; 2 Kings 15:8, Zachariah the last of Jehu’s generation, reigning ill, is slain by Shallum; 2 Kings 15:13, Shallum, reigning a month, is slain by Menahem; 2 Kings 15:16, Menahem strengthens himself by Pul; 2 Kings 15:21, Pekahiah succeeds him; 2 Kings 15:23, Pekahiah is slain by Pekah; 2 Kings 15:27, Pekah is oppressed by Tiglath-pileser, and slain by Hoshea; 2 Kings 15:32, Jotham’s good reign; 2 Kings 15:36, Ahaz succeeds him.

Verse 1

am 3194, bc 810

In the: 2 Kings 15:8, 2 Kings 14:16, 2 Kings 14:17

twenty and seventh: "This is the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam's partnership in the kingdom with his father, who made him consort at his going to the Syrian wars. It is the sixteenth year of Jeroboam's monarchy."

Azariah: 2 Kings 15:13, 2 Kings 15:30-38, 2 Kings 14:21, 2 Chronicles 26:1, 2 Chronicles 26:3, 2 Chronicles 26:4, Uzziah

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 15:6 - Azariah 2 Kings 15:32 - Jotham Hosea 1:1 - Uzziah Amos 1:1 - in the Matthew 1:8 - Ozias

Verse 2

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 15:27 - the two 2 Chronicles 26:3 - Jecoliah Hosea 1:1 - Uzziah Amos 1:1 - in the

Verse 3

2 Kings 12:2, 2 Kings 12:3, 2 Kings 14:3, 2 Kings 14:4, 2 Chronicles 26:4

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 22:43 - the high 2 Kings 15:34 - according 2 Kings 16:2 - did not 2 Chronicles 26:3 - Jecoliah

Verse 4

the high places: 2 Kings 15:35, 2 Kings 14:4, 2 Kings 18:4, 1 Kings 15:14, 1 Kings 22:43, 2 Chronicles 17:6, 2 Chronicles 32:12, 2 Chronicles 34:3

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 3:3 - only he 2 Kings 15:34 - according 2 Chronicles 33:17 - people

Verse 5

am 3239-3246, bc 765-758

the Lord: 2 Samuel 3:29, 2 Chronicles 26:16-20, Job 34:19

so that: 2 Kings 5:27, Numbers 12:10

and dwelt: 2 Kings 7:3, Leviticus 13:46, Numbers 12:14, Deuteronomy 24:8

Jotham: 2 Chronicles 26:21, 2 Chronicles 26:23

judging: 2 Samuel 8:15, 2 Samuel 15:2-4, 1 Kings 3:9, 1 Kings 3:28, Psalms 72:1

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 25:38 - the Lord 2 Samuel 12:15 - struck the child 1 Chronicles 3:12 - Jotham 1 Chronicles 5:17 - Jotham Matthew 8:2 - a leper Mark 1:40 - a leper

Verse 6

Azariah: Dr. Kennicott complains loudly here of "the corruption in the name of this king of Judah, who is expressed by four different names in this chapter: Ozriah, Oziah, Ozrihu, and Ozihu. Our oldest Hebrew manuscript relieves us here, by reading truly, in 2 Kings 15:1, 2 Kings 15:6, 2 Kings 15:7, Uzziah, where the printed text is differently corrupted. This reading is called true:

1. Because it is supported by the Syriac and Arabic versions in these three verses.

2. Because the printed text itself has it so in 2 Kings 15:32 and 2 Kings 15:34 of this very chapter.

3. Because it is so expressed in the parallel place in Chronicles.

4. Because it is not זבסיבע, Azarias, but זיבע, Ozias (Uzziah) in St. Matthew's genealogy.

they not written: 2 Kings 14:18, 2 Chronicles 26:5-15

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 8:23 - General 2 Kings 15:36 - the rest 2 Kings 16:19 - General 2 Kings 20:20 - the book 2 Chronicles 26:23 - slept

Verse 7

am 3246, bc 758, 2 Chronicles 26:23, Isaiah 6:1, Uzziah

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 15:6 - Azariah 2 Kings 15:32 - Jotham 2 Kings 15:36 - the rest 2 Kings 16:19 - General Matthew 1:9 - Joatham

Verse 8

am 3231, bc 773

the thirty: "There having been an interregnum for eleven years." 2 Kings 15:1, 2 Kings 14:16, 2 Kings 14:17, 2 Kings 14:21

Zachariah: 2 Kings 14:29

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 10:30 - thy children 2 Kings 15:27 - the two Proverbs 28:2 - the transgression Amos 7:9 - I will

Verse 9

as his: 2 Kings 10:29, 2 Kings 10:31, 2 Kings 13:2, 2 Kings 13:11, 2 Kings 14:24

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 3:3 - he departed 2 Kings 15:18 - General 2 Kings 15:24 - General 2 Kings 15:28 - evil 2 Kings 17:2 - but not as the kings 2 Kings 17:22 - walked in all the sins

Verse 10

am 3232, bc 772

smote him: "As prophesied. Amos 7:9."

slew him: 2 Kings 15:14, 2 Kings 15:25, 2 Kings 15:30, 2 Kings 9:24, 2 Kings 9:31, 1 Kings 15:28, 1 Kings 16:9, 1 Kings 16:10, Hosea 1:4, Hosea 1:5

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 8:15 - so that he died 2 Kings 14:19 - they made 1 Chronicles 2:40 - Shallum Hosea 7:7 - devoured Hosea 8:4 - set

Verse 11

2 Kings 14:28

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 15:15 - General

Verse 12

am 3120, bc 884

the word: 2 Kings 10:30

Thy sons: 2 Kings 13:1, 2 Kings 13:10, 2 Kings 13:13, 2 Kings 14:29

And so: 2 Kings 9:25, 2 Kings 9:26, 2 Kings 9:36, 2 Kings 9:37, 2 Kings 10:10, Numbers 23:19, Zechariah 1:6, Mark 13:31, John 10:35, John 19:24, John 19:36, John 19:37, Acts 1:16

Verse 13

am 3232, bc 772

Uzziah: 2 Kings 15:1, Azariah, Matthew 1:8, Matthew 1:9, Ozias

a full month: Heb. a month of days, 1 Kings 16:15, Job 20:15, Psalms 55:23, Proverbs 28:2, Proverbs 28:17

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 14:21 - Azariah 2 Kings 15:17 - nine 2 Kings 15:27 - the two 2 Kings 15:32 - Jotham

Verse 14

Tirzah: 1 Kings 14:17, 1 Kings 15:21, 1 Kings 15:33, 1 Kings 16:8, 1 Kings 16:9, 1 Kings 16:15, 1 Kings 16:17

and smote: 2 Kings 15:10

Reciprocal: Joshua 12:24 - Tirzah 2 Kings 14:19 - they made Hosea 7:7 - devoured

Verse 15

2 Kings 15:11, 1 Kings 14:19, 1 Kings 14:29, 1 Kings 22:39

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 15:21 - General 2 Kings 15:26 - General

Verse 16

Tiphsah: 1 Kings 4:24

all the women: 2 Kings 8:12, Amos 1:13

Reciprocal: Judges 9:52 - General Proverbs 28:15 - so Hosea 5:11 - oppressed Hosea 9:13 - shall Hosea 13:16 - their infants Matthew 24:19 - General

Verse 17

am 3232-3243, bc 772-761

nine: 2 Kings 15:13

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 15:32 - Jotham

Verse 18

2 Kings 15:9

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 3:3 - he departed 2 Kings 10:29 - the sins 2 Kings 15:24 - General 2 Kings 15:28 - evil 2 Kings 17:2 - but not as the kings 2 Kings 17:20 - delivered Proverbs 29:4 - he that receiveth gifts

Verse 19

am 3233, bc 771

Pul: Prideaux supposes that this Pul was the father of the famous Sardanapalus, who was called Sardan with his father's name Pul annexed, as was frequent in those times, making Sardanpul: thus Merodach, king of Babylon, was Merodach-Baladan, because he was the son Baladan. This Pul began to reign according to Usher, am 3237, the fifth year of Menahem; and he is supposed to be the same that reigned in Nineveh, when Jonah preached in that city. 1 Chronicles 5:25, 1 Chronicles 5:26, Isaiah 9:1

Menahem: 2 Kings 12:18, 2 Kings 16:8, 2 Kings 17:3, 2 Kings 17:4, 2 Kings 18:16, Hosea 5:13, Hosea 8:9, Hosea 8:10, Hosea 10:6

to confirm: 2 Kings 14:5, Jeremiah 17:5

Reciprocal: Genesis 10:22 - Elam 2 Kings 23:35 - taxed 2 Chronicles 30:6 - escaped 2 Chronicles 32:1 - king of Assyria Nehemiah 9:32 - since the time Isaiah 33:18 - receiver Ezekiel 23:5 - on the Hosea 7:9 - devoured Hosea 7:11 - they call Hosea 8:7 - the strangers Hosea 11:5 - but Hosea 12:1 - and they Amos 3:11 - General

Verse 20

Menahem: 2 Kings 23:35

exacted: Heb. caused to come forth

the mighty: Ruth 2:1, 2 Samuel 19:32, Job 1:3

of each man: etc. Or, rather, as Bishop Patrick renders, "to give to the king of Assyria fifty shekels of silver for each man," i.e., in his army. It may be supposed, that Menahem compelled "the mighty men of wealth" to give much more a-piece than this sum - somewhat about 5. sterling each and each of them in some proportion to his affluence.

stayed not: 2 Kings 15:29, 2 Kings 17:3, 2 Kings 17:4, 2 Kings 18:14-17

Reciprocal: Hosea 8:10 - for

Verse 21

am 3232-3243, bc 772-761, 2 Kings 15:15

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 6:36 - thou be angry

Verse 23

am 3243, bc 761

and reigned two years: 2 Kings 21:19, 1 Kings 15:25, 1 Kings 16:8, 1 Kings 22:51, Job 20:5

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 15:27 - the two 2 Kings 15:32 - Jotham

Verse 24

am 3243-3245, bc 761-759, 2 Kings 15:9, 2 Kings 15:18

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 10:29 - the sins 2 Kings 17:2 - but not as the kings

Verse 25

am 3245, bc 759

Pekah: 2 Kings 15:27, 2 Chronicles 28:6

a captain: 2 Kings 9:5, 1 Kings 16:9

conspired: 2 Kings 15:10, 2 Kings 9:14

with Argob: From the contstruction of the Hebrew Text, it would appear that Argob and Arieh were slain with the king, and that the fifty Gileadites were conspirators with Pekah.

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 8:15 - so that he died 2 Kings 14:19 - they made 2 Kings 15:30 - made 2 Kings 21:23 - General Jeremiah 41:7 - slew Hosea 7:7 - devoured

Verse 26

2 Kings 15:15

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 20:20 - the book

Verse 27

am 3245-3265, bc 759-739

the two: 2 Kings 15:2, 2 Kings 15:8, 2 Kings 15:13, 2 Kings 15:23

Pekah: 2 Kings 15:25, 2 Kings 15:37, Isaiah 7:1, Isaiah 7:4, Isaiah 7:9

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 15:32 - Jotham 2 Kings 16:1 - seventeenth 2 Chronicles 28:6 - Pekah

Verse 28

evil: 2 Kings 15:9, 2 Kings 15:18, 2 Kings 13:2, 2 Kings 13:6, 2 Kings 21:2

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 10:29 - the sins

Verse 29

Tiglathpileser: Some suppose Tiglath-pileser to be the son of Sardanapalus, but the learned Prideaux makes him the same as Arbaces the Mede, called by Alian, Thelgamus, and by Castor, Ninus Junior, who, with Belesis, headed the conspiracy against Sardanapalus, and fixed his royal seat at Nineveh, as Belesis, called in Scripture Baladan - Isaiah 39:1, did his at Babylon. He reigned nineteen years, from am 3257 to am 3276. 2 Kings 16:7, 1 Chronicles 5:6, 1 Chronicles 5:26, 2 Chronicles 28:20, 2 Chronicles 28:21, Tiglath-pilneser, Isaiah 9:1

Ijon: 1 Kings 15:20, 2 Chronicles 16:4, Abel-beth-maachah, 2 Samuel 20:14, 2 Samuel 20:15

Janoah: Joshua 16:6, Janohah

Kedesh: Joshua 19:37, Joshua 20:7

Hazor: Joshua 11:1, Joshua 11:10, Joshua 11:13, Joshua 12:19, Judges 4:2

Gilead: Numbers 32:1, Numbers 32:40, Deuteronomy 3:15, Amos 1:3, Amos 1:13

Galilee: Joshua 20:7, 1 Kings 9:11, Isaiah 9:1, Isaiah 9:2, Matthew 4:15, Matthew 4:16

carried them: 2 Kings 17:6, 2 Kings 17:23, Leviticus 26:32, Leviticus 26:38, Leviticus 26:39, Deuteronomy 4:26, Deuteronomy 4:27, Deuteronomy 28:25, Deuteronomy 28:64, Deuteronomy 28:65, Isaiah 1:7, Isaiah 7:20

Reciprocal: Genesis 46:24 - Naphtali Numbers 32:19 - we will 1 Kings 9:15 - Hazor 1 Kings 14:15 - shall scatter 2 Kings 15:20 - stayed not 2 Kings 17:3 - king of Assyria 2 Kings 17:20 - delivered 1 Chronicles 5:22 - until the captivity 2 Chronicles 30:6 - escaped 2 Chronicles 32:13 - I and my Nehemiah 9:32 - since the time Isaiah 7:4 - the two tails Isaiah 7:16 - the land Isaiah 8:4 - the riches of Damascus Isaiah 9:11 - set up Isaiah 10:13 - I have removed Isaiah 28:1 - whose Isaiah 37:18 - the kings Jeremiah 3:12 - toward the north Jeremiah 50:17 - first Ezekiel 23:9 - General Hosea 1:4 - will cause Hosea 5:11 - oppressed Hosea 5:13 - went Hosea 8:7 - the strangers Hosea 11:5 - but Amos 3:11 - General Amos 5:2 - is fallen Amos 5:15 - the remnant Amos 5:27 - beyond Amos 6:6 - affliction Amos 6:14 - I will Micah 2:10 - and Micah 5:6 - the Assyrian Zechariah 1:18 - four

Verse 30

am 3265, bc 739

made: 2 Kings 15:10, 2 Kings 15:25

and smote: Hosea 10:3, Hosea 10:7, Hosea 10:15

reigned: "After an anarchy for some years."

in the twentieth: "In the fourth year of Ahaz, in the twentieth year after Jotham had begun to reign." - Usher. 2 Kings 15:32, 2 Kings 15:33, 2 Kings 16:1, 2 Kings 17:1, 2 Chronicles 28:4-6, 2 Chronicles 28:16, Isaiah 7:1-9, Isaiah 8:6

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 16:9 - conspired 2 Kings 8:15 - so that he died 2 Kings 9:14 - conspired 2 Kings 14:19 - they made 2 Kings 18:1 - in the third 2 Kings 21:23 - General 1 Chronicles 3:12 - Azariah Nehemiah 10:23 - Hoshea Isaiah 7:4 - the two tails Isaiah 7:16 - the land Isaiah 9:21 - Ephraim Hosea 7:7 - devoured

Verse 32

am 3246, bc 758

Jotham: 2 Kings 15:7, 1 Chronicles 3:12, 2 Chronicles 27:1-9, Matthew 1:9

Jotham: Uzziah, 2 Kings 15:1, 2 Kings 15:7, 2 Kings 15:13, 2 Kings 15:17, 2 Kings 15:23, 2 Kings 15:27, 2 Kings 14:21, 1 Chronicles 3:12, Azariah

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 15:6 - Azariah 2 Kings 15:30 - in the twentieth 2 Kings 16:1 - seventeenth 1 Chronicles 5:17 - Jotham Hosea 1:1 - Uzziah

Verse 33

am 3246-3262, bc 758-742

Jerusha: 2 Chronicles 27:1, Jerushah

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 15:30 - in the twentieth 2 Kings 16:1 - seventeenth

Verse 34

according: 2 Kings 15:3, 2 Kings 15:4, 2 Chronicles 26:4, 2 Chronicles 26:5, 2 Chronicles 27:2

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 15:6 - Azariah 2 Kings 16:2 - did not

Verse 35

Howbeit: 2 Kings 15:4, 2 Kings 18:4, 2 Chronicles 32:12

the higher gate: 2 Chronicles 27:3-9

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 3:3 - only he 2 Kings 14:4 - the high places 2 Chronicles 27:2 - the people Isaiah 65:7 - burned Jeremiah 26:10 - the new Jeremiah 36:10 - entry Ezekiel 9:2 - the higher

Verse 36

the rest: 2 Kings 15:6, 2 Kings 15:7, 2 Chronicles 27:4-9

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 8:23 - General 2 Kings 16:19 - General

Verse 37

am 3262, bc 742

In those days: "At the end of Jotham's reign." This Jotham died at forty-one. He was too great a blessing to be continued long to such an unworthy people. His death was a judgment, especially considering the character of Ahaz, his son and successor: for we read - 2 Kings 16:3 Ahaz made his son pass through the fire. This son may have been Hezekiah, who served the Lord, and whose prayer in sickness was most graciously herd and answered. Isaiah 38:1-22

began: 2 Kings 10:32, 1 Samuel 3:12, Jeremiah 25:29, Luke 21:28

to send: Deuteronomy 28:48, Psalms 78:49, Isaiah 10:5-7, Jeremiah 16:16, Jeremiah 43:10

Rezin: 2 Kings 16:5, 2 Chronicles 28:6, Isaiah 7:1, Isaiah 7:8, Hosea 5:12, Hosea 5:13

Pekah: 2 Kings 15:27

Verse 38

Jotham: 2 Samuel 7:12, 1 Kings 1:2, 1 Kings 14:20, 1 Kings 14:31

Ahaz: 2 Kings 16:1, 1 Chronicles 3:13, 2 Chronicles 28:1, Matthew 1:9, Achaz

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 16:19 - General 2 Chronicles 27:9 - Jotham