---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  2 Kings 15"
description: "CHAPTER 15   :-. AZARIAH"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/2-kings/15"
---

CHAPTER 15

. AZARIAH'S
REIGN OVER JUDAH.

**1-7. In the twenty and seventh year
of Jeroboam**—It is thought that the throne of Judah continued
vacant eleven or twelve years, between the death of Amaziah and the
inauguration of his son Azariah. Being a child only four years old
when his father was murdered, a regency was appointed during
Azariah's minority.
**began Azariah . . . to
reign**—The character of his reign is described by the brief
formula employed by the inspired historian, in recording the
religious policy of the later kings. But his reign was a very active
as well as eventful one, and is fully related (). Elated by the possession of great power, and
presumptuously arrogating to himself, as did the heathen kings, the
functions both of the real and sacerdotal offices, he was punished
with leprosy, which, as the offense was capital (), was equivalent to death, for this disease excluded him from
all society. While Jotham, his son, as his viceroy, administered the
affairs of the kingdom—being about fifteen years of age (compare
[2 Kings 15:33](../../../kjv/2-kings/15/33)) —he had to dwell
in a place apart by himself (see on [2 Kings 15:33](../../../kjv/2-kings/15/33)). After a long reign he died, and was buried in the royal
burying-field, though not in the royal cemetery of "the city of
David" ([2 Chronicles 26:23](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/26/23)).
[2 Chronicles 26:23](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/26/23). ZECHARIAH'S
REIGN OVER ISRAEL.

**8-10. In the thirty and eighth year
of Azariah king of Judah did Zechariah the son of Jeroboam reign over
Israel**—There was an interregnum from some unknown cause between
the reign of Jeroboam and the accession of his son, which lasted,
according to some, for ten or twelve years, according to others, for
twenty-two years, or more. This prince pursued the religious policy
of the calf-worship, and his reign was short, being abruptly
terminated by the hand of violence. In his fate was fulfilled the
prophecy addressed to Jehu (; also [Hosea 1:4](../../../kjv/hosea/1/4)), that
his family would possess the throne of Israel for four generations;
and accordingly Jehoahaz, Joash, Jehoram, and Zechariah were his
successors—but there his dynasty terminated; and perhaps it was the
public knowledge of this prediction that prompted the murderous
design of Shallum.

**13-17. Shallum . . . reigned a full
month**—He was opposed and slain by Menahem, who, according to
JOSEPHUS, was commander of
the forces, which, on the report of the king's murder, were besieging
Tirzah, a town twelve miles east of Samaria, and formerly a seat of
the kings of Israel. Raising the siege, he marched directly against
the usurper, slew him, and reigned in his stead.

**16. Menahem . . . smote
Tiphsah**—Thapsacus, on the Euphrates, the border city of
Solomon's kingdom ([1 Kings 4:24](../../../kjv/1-kings/4/24)).
The inhabitants refusing to open their gates to him, Menahem took it
by storm. Then having spoiled it, he committed the most barbarous
excesses, without regard either to age or sex.
[1 Kings 4:24](../../../kjv/1-kings/4/24). MENAHEM'S
REIGN.

**17. reigned ten years in Samaria**—His
government was conducted on the religious policy of his predecessors.

**19. Pul the king of Assyria**—This
is the first Assyrian king after Nimrod who is mentioned in biblical
history. His name has been recently identified with that of Phalluka
on the monuments of Nineveh, and that of Menahem discovered also.
**came against the
land**—Elsewhere it is said "Ephraim [Israel] went to the
Assyrian" [[Hosea 5:13](../../../kjv/hosea/5/13)]. The
two statements may be reconciled thus: "Pul, of his own motion,
induced, perhaps, by the expedition of Menahem against Thapsacus,
advanced against the kingdom of Israel; then Menahem sent him a
thousand talents in order not only to divert him from his plans of
conquest, but at the same time to purchase his friendship and aid for
the establishment of his own precarious sovereignty. So Menahem did
not properly invite the Assyrian into the land, but only changed the
enemy when marching against the country, by this tribute, into a
confederate for the security of his usurped dominion. This the
prophet Hosea, less concerned about the historical fact than the
disposition betrayed therein, might very well censure as a going of
Ephraim to the Assyrians ([Hosea 5:13](../../../kjv/hosea/5/13);
[Hosea 7:1](../../../kjv/hosea/7/1); [Hosea 8:9](../../../kjv/hosea/8/9)),
and a covenant-making with Asshur" ([Hosea 8:9](../../../kjv/hosea/8/9)) [KEIL].
**a thousand talents of
silver**—Equal to £262,200. This tribute, which Menahem raised
by a tax on the grandees of Israel, bribed Pul to return to his own
country (see on [Hosea 8:9](../../../kjv/hosea/8/9)).
[Hosea 8:9](../../../kjv/hosea/8/9). PEKAHIAH'S
REIGN.

**23. Pekahiah . . . son of Menahem
began to reign**—On comparing the date given with Azariah's
reign, it seems that several months had intervened between the death
of Menahem and the accession of Pekahiah, probably owing to a contest
about the throne.

**25. with Argob and Arieh,**
&c.—Many commentators view these as the captain's accomplices.
But it is more probable that they were influential friends of the
king, who were murdered along with him.
. PEKAH'S
REIGN.

**29. in the days of Pekah king of
Israel came Tiglath-pileser**—This monarch, who succeeded Pul on
the throne of Assyria, is the only one of all the kings who does not
give his genealogy, and is therefore supposed to have been an
usurper. His annals have been discovered in the Nimroud mound,
describing this expedition into Syria. The places taken are here
mentioned as they occurred and were conquered in the progress of an
invasion.

**30. Hoshea the son of Elah made a
conspiracy . . . and slew him**—He did not, however, obtain
possession of the kingdom till about nine or ten years after the
perpetration of this crime [HALES].
**in the twentieth year of
Jotham**—Jotham's reign lasted only sixteen years, but the
meaning is that the reign of Hoshea began in the twentieth after the
beginning of Jotham's reign. The sacred historian, having not yet
introduced the name of Ahaz, reckoned the date by Jotham, whom he had
already mentioned (see [2 Chronicles 27:8](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/27/8)).
[2 Chronicles 27:8](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/27/8). JOTHAM'S
REIGN OVER JUDAH.

**33. Five and twenty years was he
when he began to reign**—that is, alone—for he had ruled as his
father's viceroy [[2 Kings 15:5](../../../kjv/2-kings/15/5)].

**35. the higher gate of the house of
the Lord**—not the temple itself, but one of its courts; probably
that which led into the palace ().

**37. the Lord began to send against
Judah Rezin the king of Syria,** &c.—This is the first
intimation of the hostile feelings of the kings of Israel and Syria,
to Judah, which led them to form an alliance and make joint
preparations for war. [See on .] However, war was not actually waged till the reign of
Ahaz.

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