1 In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign.

Sixteen years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned two and fifty years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem.

And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah had done;

Save that the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places.

And the Lord smote the king, so that he was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house. And Jotham the king's son was over the house, judging the people of the land.

And the rest of the acts of Azariah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

So Azariah slept with his fathers; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.

In the thirty and eighth year of Azariah king of Judah did Zachariah the son of Jeroboam reign over Israel in Samaria six months.

And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, as his fathers had done: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.

10 And Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him, and smote him before the people, and slew him, and reigned in his stead.

11 And the rest of the acts of Zachariah, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.

12 This was the word of the Lord which he spake unto Jehu, saying, Thy sons shall sit on the throne of Israel unto the fourth generation. And so it came to pass.

13 Shallum the son of Jabesh began to reign in the nine and thirtieth year of Uzziah king of Judah; and he reigned a full month in Samaria.

14 For Menahem the son of Gadi went up from Tirzah, and came to Samaria, and smote Shallum the son of Jabesh in Samaria, and slew him, and reigned in his stead.

15 And 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 smote Tiphsah, and all that were therein, and the coasts thereof from Tirzah: because they opened not to him, therefore he smote it; and all the women therein that were with child he ripped up.

17 In the nine and thirtieth year of Azariah king of Judah began Menahem the son of Gadi to reign over Israel, and reigned ten years in Samaria.

18 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord: he departed not all his days from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.

19 And Pul the king of Assyria came against the land: and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand.

20 And 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 stayed not there in the land.

21 And the rest of the acts of Menahem, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

22 And Menahem slept with his fathers; and Pekahiah his son reigned in his stead.

23 In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah Pekahiah the son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned two years.

24 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.

25 But Pekah the son of Remaliah, a captain of his, conspired against him, and smote him in Samaria, in the palace of the king's house, with Argob and Arieh, and with him fifty men of the Gileadites: and he killed him, and reigned in his room.

26 And 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.

27 In the two and fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah Pekah the son of Remaliah began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned twenty years.

28 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.

29 In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abelbethmaachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria.

30 And Hoshea the son of Elah made a conspiracy against Pekah the son of Remaliah, and smote him, and slew him, and reigned in his stead, in the twentieth year of Jotham the son of Uzziah.

31 And 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.

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 Five and twenty years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jerusha, the daughter of Zadok.

34 And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord: he did according to all that his father Uzziah had done.

35 Howbeit the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places. He built the higher gate of the house of the Lord.

36 Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all that he did, are they not 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 And 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 stead.

Commentary

Verse 1

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Reign of Azariah, or Uzziah, king of Judah.
Uzziah did for the most part that which was right. It was happy for the kingdom that a good reign was a long one.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
To reign - Solely and fully to exercise his regal power.
McArther Bible Commentary
twenty-seventh year. B.C. This included the eleven years of Jeroboam II's co-regency with Jehoash (see note on 2Ki 14:23). Azariah. The name means "The Lord has helped" (2Ki 14:21; 2Ki 15:6-7, 2Ki 15:8, 2Ki 15:17, 2Ki 15:23, 2Ki 15:27; 1Ch 3:12). He was also called Uzziah, meaning "The Lord is my strength" (2Ki 15:13, 2Ki 15:30, 2Ki 15:32, 2Ki 15:34; 2Ch 26:1-23; Isa 1:1; Isa 6:1; Hos 1:1; Amo 1:1; Zec 14:5). Isaiah the prophet began his public ministry during Azariah's reign (Isa 1:1).
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 14:17 2 Kings 14:29 2 Kings 15:8 2 Kings 15:13 2 Kings 15:17 2 Kings 15:23 Isaiah 1:1

Verse 2

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Reign of Azariah, or Uzziah, king of Judah.
Uzziah did for the most part that which was right. It was happy for the kingdom that a good reign was a long one.
McArther Bible Commentary
fifty-two years. -739 B.C. Azariah was sixteen when he began his co-regency with his father Amaziah. Azariah's sole rule began in 767 B.C. (see note on 2Ki 15:8).
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 15:3 2 Chronicles 26:3 2 Chronicles 26:4

Verse 3

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Reign of Azariah, or Uzziah, king of Judah.
Uzziah did for the most part that which was right. It was happy for the kingdom that a good reign was a long one.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 15:2 2 Kings 15:4 2 Kings 15:34 2 Chronicles 26:3

Verse 4

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Reign of Azariah, or Uzziah, king of Judah.
Uzziah did for the most part that which was right. It was happy for the kingdom that a good reign was a long one.
McArther Bible Commentary
Cf. 2Ki 12:3; 2Ki 14:4.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 12:3 2 Kings 15:3 2 Kings 15:34

Verse 5

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Reign of Azariah, or Uzziah, king of Judah.
Uzziah did for the most part that which was right. It was happy for the kingdom that a good reign was a long one.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
A leper - The cause whereof see (2 Chronicles 26:16) .
McArther Bible Commentary
leper. Azariah suffered from leprosy as punishment for usurping the priestly function of burning incense on the altar in the temple (see notes on 2Ch 26:16-18, 2Ch 26:19-20). The disease eventually killed him (see note on Isa 6:1). isolated house. Lit. "in a house of freedom." Azariah was relieved of all royal responsibilities. His son Jotham served as co-regent until Azariah's death (750-739 B.C.; see notes on 2Ki 15:2, 2Ki 15:32). As co-regent, Jotham specifically supervised the palace and governed the nation.
Bible Cross References
Leviticus 13:46 Numbers 12:14 2 Kings 15:6 1 Chronicles 5:17 2 Chronicles 26:21 Hosea 1:1 Micah 1:1

Verse 6

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Reign of Azariah, or Uzziah, king of Judah.
Uzziah did for the most part that which was right. It was happy for the kingdom that a good reign was a long one.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 15:5 2 Kings 15:7

Verse 7

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Reign of Azariah, or Uzziah, king of Judah.
Uzziah did for the most part that which was right. It was happy for the kingdom that a good reign was a long one.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 15:6 2 Kings 15:8 Isaiah 6:1 Hosea 1:1

Verse 8

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The latter kings of Israel.
This history shows Israel in confusion. Though Judah was not without troubles, yet that kingdom was happy, compared with the state of Israel. The imperfections of true believers are very different from the allowed wickedness of ungodly men. Such is human nature, such are our hearts, if left to themselves, deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. We have reason to be thankful for restraints, for being kept out of temptation, and should beg of God to renew a right spirit within us.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Six months - After the throne had been vacant several years, thro' the dissentions that were in the kingdom.
McArther Bible Commentary
thirty-eighth year. B.C., making Azariah's co-reign with his father Amaziah (see notes on 2Ki 15:2; 2Ki 14:21) begin in 792-791 B.C. (accession year) or 790 B.C. (non-accession year). Zechariah. Zechariah was the fourth and final generation of the dynasty of Jehu (c. 753/752 B.C.). His death fulfilled the prophecy given by the Lord (cf. 2Ki 15:12; 2Ki 10:30).
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 15:1 2 Kings 15:7 2 Kings 15:9 2 Kings 15:13 2 Kings 15:17 2 Kings 15:23 Proverbs 28:2 Hosea 1:4 Amos 7:9

Verse 9

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The latter kings of Israel.
This history shows Israel in confusion. Though Judah was not without troubles, yet that kingdom was happy, compared with the state of Israel. The imperfections of true believers are very different from the allowed wickedness of ungodly men. Such is human nature, such are our hearts, if left to themselves, deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. We have reason to be thankful for restraints, for being kept out of temptation, and should beg of God to renew a right spirit within us.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 15:8 2 Kings 15:10

Verse 10

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The latter kings of Israel.
This history shows Israel in confusion. Though Judah was not without troubles, yet that kingdom was happy, compared with the state of Israel. The imperfections of true believers are very different from the allowed wickedness of ungodly men. Such is human nature, such are our hearts, if left to themselves, deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. We have reason to be thankful for restraints, for being kept out of temptation, and should beg of God to renew a right spirit within us.
McArther Bible Commentary
Shallum. Shallum killed Zechariah and replaced him as king of Israel. Assyrian records call Shallum "the son of nobody," indicating that he was not from the royal family.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 15:9 2 Kings 15:11 Amos 7:9

Verse 11

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The latter kings of Israel.
This history shows Israel in confusion. Though Judah was not without troubles, yet that kingdom was happy, compared with the state of Israel. The imperfections of true believers are very different from the allowed wickedness of ungodly men. Such is human nature, such are our hearts, if left to themselves, deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. We have reason to be thankful for restraints, for being kept out of temptation, and should beg of God to renew a right spirit within us.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 15:10 2 Kings 15:12

Verse 12

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The latter kings of Israel.
This history shows Israel in confusion. Though Judah was not without troubles, yet that kingdom was happy, compared with the state of Israel. The imperfections of true believers are very different from the allowed wickedness of ungodly men. Such is human nature, such are our hearts, if left to themselves, deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. We have reason to be thankful for restraints, for being kept out of temptation, and should beg of God to renew a right spirit within us.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 10:30 2 Kings 15:11

Verse 13

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The latter kings of Israel.
This history shows Israel in confusion. Though Judah was not without troubles, yet that kingdom was happy, compared with the state of Israel. The imperfections of true believers are very different from the allowed wickedness of ungodly men. Such is human nature, such are our hearts, if left to themselves, deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. We have reason to be thankful for restraints, for being kept out of temptation, and should beg of God to renew a right spirit within us.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Full moon - That dominion seldom lasts long, which is founded in blood and falsehood.
McArther Bible Commentary
thirty-ninth year. B.C. Zechariah's reign spanned the last months of Azariah's thirty-eighth year (2Ki 15:8) and the first months of the following year.
Bible Cross References
1 Kings 16:24 2 Kings 15:1 2 Kings 15:8 Isaiah 1:1 Hosea 8:4

Verse 14

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The latter kings of Israel.
This history shows Israel in confusion. Though Judah was not without troubles, yet that kingdom was happy, compared with the state of Israel. The imperfections of true believers are very different from the allowed wickedness of ungodly men. Such is human nature, such are our hearts, if left to themselves, deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. We have reason to be thankful for restraints, for being kept out of temptation, and should beg of God to renew a right spirit within us.
McArther Bible Commentary
Menahem. Menahem had probably been a military commander under Zechariah. Tirzah. The former capital of the Northern Kingdom (1Ki 14:17; 1Ki 15:21, 1Ki 15:33), located about nine miles east of Samaria. Menahem was probably stationed with his troops at Tirzah.
Bible Cross References
1 Kings 14:17 2 Kings 15:15 2 Kings 15:17

Verse 15

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The latter kings of Israel.
This history shows Israel in confusion. Though Judah was not without troubles, yet that kingdom was happy, compared with the state of Israel. The imperfections of true believers are very different from the allowed wickedness of ungodly men. Such is human nature, such are our hearts, if left to themselves, deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. We have reason to be thankful for restraints, for being kept out of temptation, and should beg of God to renew a right spirit within us.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 15:14 2 Kings 15:16

Verse 16

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The latter kings of Israel.
This history shows Israel in confusion. Though Judah was not without troubles, yet that kingdom was happy, compared with the state of Israel. The imperfections of true believers are very different from the allowed wickedness of ungodly men. Such is human nature, such are our hearts, if left to themselves, deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. We have reason to be thankful for restraints, for being kept out of temptation, and should beg of God to renew a right spirit within us.
McArther Bible Commentary
Tiphsah. Since Tiphsah was located on the Euphrates River about 325 miles north of Samaria (1Ki 4:24), a majority of interpreters translate this term "Tappuah," a town fourteen miles southwest of Tirzah (Jos 17:8). ripped open. The ripping open of pregnant women was a barbarous practice and elsewhere associated only with foreign armies (2Ki 8:12; Hos 13:16; Amo 1:13). Menahem probably did this as a visible reminder of the city's failure to "open up" to his demands.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 8:12 2 Kings 15:15 Hosea 13:16 Amos 1:13

Verse 17

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The latter kings of Israel.
This history shows Israel in confusion. Though Judah was not without troubles, yet that kingdom was happy, compared with the state of Israel. The imperfections of true believers are very different from the allowed wickedness of ungodly men. Such is human nature, such are our hearts, if left to themselves, deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. We have reason to be thankful for restraints, for being kept out of temptation, and should beg of God to renew a right spirit within us.
McArther Bible Commentary
thirty-ninth year. B.C. ten years. 752-742 B.C. With Menahem, the Northern Kingdom changed from the non-accession to the accession-year system of computing reigns.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 15:1 2 Kings 15:8 2 Kings 15:18 Hosea 8:4

Verse 18

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The latter kings of Israel.
This history shows Israel in confusion. Though Judah was not without troubles, yet that kingdom was happy, compared with the state of Israel. The imperfections of true believers are very different from the allowed wickedness of ungodly men. Such is human nature, such are our hearts, if left to themselves, deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. We have reason to be thankful for restraints, for being kept out of temptation, and should beg of God to renew a right spirit within us.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 15:17 2 Kings 15:19

Verse 19

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The latter kings of Israel.
This history shows Israel in confusion. Though Judah was not without troubles, yet that kingdom was happy, compared with the state of Israel. The imperfections of true believers are very different from the allowed wickedness of ungodly men. Such is human nature, such are our hearts, if left to themselves, deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. We have reason to be thankful for restraints, for being kept out of temptation, and should beg of God to renew a right spirit within us.
McArther Bible Commentary
Pul. Assyrian kings frequently had two names, a throne name for Assyria and another for Babylon. Pul was the Babylonian throne name of the Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser III (cf. 1Ch 5:26) who reigned c. 745-727 B.C.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 14:5 2 Kings 15:18 2 Kings 15:20 2 Kings 15:29 1 Chronicles 5:25 1 Chronicles 5:26 Nehemiah 9:32 Psalm 83:8 Jeremiah 50:17 Ezekiel 23:5

Verse 20

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The latter kings of Israel.
This history shows Israel in confusion. Though Judah was not without troubles, yet that kingdom was happy, compared with the state of Israel. The imperfections of true believers are very different from the allowed wickedness of ungodly men. Such is human nature, such are our hearts, if left to themselves, deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. We have reason to be thankful for restraints, for being kept out of temptation, and should beg of God to renew a right spirit within us.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 15:19 2 Kings 15:21

Verse 21

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The latter kings of Israel.
This history shows Israel in confusion. Though Judah was not without troubles, yet that kingdom was happy, compared with the state of Israel. The imperfections of true believers are very different from the allowed wickedness of ungodly men. Such is human nature, such are our hearts, if left to themselves, deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. We have reason to be thankful for restraints, for being kept out of temptation, and should beg of God to renew a right spirit within us.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 15:20 2 Kings 15:22

Verse 22

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The latter kings of Israel.
This history shows Israel in confusion. Though Judah was not without troubles, yet that kingdom was happy, compared with the state of Israel. The imperfections of true believers are very different from the allowed wickedness of ungodly men. Such is human nature, such are our hearts, if left to themselves, deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. We have reason to be thankful for restraints, for being kept out of temptation, and should beg of God to renew a right spirit within us.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 15:21 2 Kings 15:23

Verse 23

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The latter kings of Israel.
This history shows Israel in confusion. Though Judah was not without troubles, yet that kingdom was happy, compared with the state of Israel. The imperfections of true believers are very different from the allowed wickedness of ungodly men. Such is human nature, such are our hearts, if left to themselves, deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. We have reason to be thankful for restraints, for being kept out of temptation, and should beg of God to renew a right spirit within us.
McArther Bible Commentary
fiftieth year. B.C. two years. 742-740 B.C.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 15:1 2 Kings 15:8 2 Kings 15:22 2 Kings 15:24 2 Kings 15:27

Verse 24

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The latter kings of Israel.
This history shows Israel in confusion. Though Judah was not without troubles, yet that kingdom was happy, compared with the state of Israel. The imperfections of true believers are very different from the allowed wickedness of ungodly men. Such is human nature, such are our hearts, if left to themselves, deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. We have reason to be thankful for restraints, for being kept out of temptation, and should beg of God to renew a right spirit within us.
McArther Bible Commentary
sins of Jeroboam. See notes on 2Ki 13:2; 1Ki 12:25-32.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 15:23 2 Kings 15:25

Verse 25

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The latter kings of Israel.
This history shows Israel in confusion. Though Judah was not without troubles, yet that kingdom was happy, compared with the state of Israel. The imperfections of true believers are very different from the allowed wickedness of ungodly men. Such is human nature, such are our hearts, if left to themselves, deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. We have reason to be thankful for restraints, for being kept out of temptation, and should beg of God to renew a right spirit within us.
McArther Bible Commentary
Pekah. See note on verse 2Ki 15:27. Pekah was one of Pekahiah's military officers, probably commanding Gilead, since fifty Gileadites accompanied him when he assassinated Pekahiah. Argob and Arieh were either Pekahiah's sons or loyal military officers. Pekah probably represented the anti-Assyrian faction in Israel (cf. 2Ki 16:5).
Bible Cross References
1 Kings 16:18 2 Kings 15:24 2 Kings 15:26 Isaiah 7:1

Verse 26

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The latter kings of Israel.
This history shows Israel in confusion. Though Judah was not without troubles, yet that kingdom was happy, compared with the state of Israel. The imperfections of true believers are very different from the allowed wickedness of ungodly men. Such is human nature, such are our hearts, if left to themselves, deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. We have reason to be thankful for restraints, for being kept out of temptation, and should beg of God to renew a right spirit within us.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 15:25 2 Kings 15:27

Verse 27

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The latter kings of Israel.
This history shows Israel in confusion. Though Judah was not without troubles, yet that kingdom was happy, compared with the state of Israel. The imperfections of true believers are very different from the allowed wickedness of ungodly men. Such is human nature, such are our hearts, if left to themselves, deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. We have reason to be thankful for restraints, for being kept out of temptation, and should beg of God to renew a right spirit within us.
McArther Bible Commentary
fifty-second year. B.C. twenty years. On the basis of Assyrian records, it can be determined that Tiglath-Pileser III deposed Pekah as king of Israel in 732 B.C., evidently using Hoshea as his instrument. Therefore, Pekah reigned c. 752-732 B.C., using the accession-year system of dating (that is, counting the first year as one). For an explanation of this dating system see 1 Kings Introduction: Interpretive Challenges. This included the years 752-740 B.C., when Pekah ruled in Gilead while Menahem (2Ki 15:17-22) and Pekahiah (2Ki 15:23-26) reigned in Samaria (the Jordan River being the boundary of the split kingdom). Verse 2Ki 15:25 seems to indicate that Pekah had an alliance with Menahem and Pekahiah, ruling Gilead for them.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 15:23 2 Kings 15:26 2 Kings 15:28 2 Chronicles 28:6 Isaiah 7:1

Verse 28

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The latter kings of Israel.
This history shows Israel in confusion. Though Judah was not without troubles, yet that kingdom was happy, compared with the state of Israel. The imperfections of true believers are very different from the allowed wickedness of ungodly men. Such is human nature, such are our hearts, if left to themselves, deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. We have reason to be thankful for restraints, for being kept out of temptation, and should beg of God to renew a right spirit within us.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 15:27 2 Kings 15:29

Verse 29

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The latter kings of Israel.
This history shows Israel in confusion. Though Judah was not without troubles, yet that kingdom was happy, compared with the state of Israel. The imperfections of true believers are very different from the allowed wickedness of ungodly men. Such is human nature, such are our hearts, if left to themselves, deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. We have reason to be thankful for restraints, for being kept out of temptation, and should beg of God to renew a right spirit within us.
McArther Bible Commentary
Ijon … Naphtali. The areas of Galilee and Gilead are described here. When Pekah and Rezin, the king of Syria, sought to have Judah join their anti-Assyrian alliance, another invasion by Assyria was provoked (cf. 2Ki 16:5-9) in 733/732 B.C. Tiglath-Pileser III took Galilee and Gilead and converted them into three Assyrian provinces governed by royal appointees. He also was involved in replacing Pekah with Hoshea as king over the remaining area of Israel (see note on 2Ki 15:27).
Bible Cross References
2 Samuel 20:15 1 Kings 14:15 1 Kings 15:20 2 Kings 15:19 2 Kings 15:28 2 Kings 15:30 2 Kings 16:7 2 Kings 16:10 2 Kings 17:6 2 Kings 17:20 1 Chronicles 5:22 1 Chronicles 5:26 Nehemiah 9:32 Isaiah 9:1 Isaiah 37:18

Verse 30

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The latter kings of Israel.
This history shows Israel in confusion. Though Judah was not without troubles, yet that kingdom was happy, compared with the state of Israel. The imperfections of true believers are very different from the allowed wickedness of ungodly men. Such is human nature, such are our hearts, if left to themselves, deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. We have reason to be thankful for restraints, for being kept out of temptation, and should beg of God to renew a right spirit within us.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Twentieth year - The meaning is, that he began his reign in the twentieth year after the beginning of Jotham's reign; or, which is the same thing, in the fourth year of Ahaz, son of Jotham.
McArther Bible Commentary
twentieth year. Jotham of Judah began his reign in 750 B.C. (see note on 2Ki 15:32). His twentieth year was 732 B.C., according to the non-accession-year system. Assyrian records confirm that Hoshea began to rule Israel in 732 B.C. (see notes on 2Ki 15:27; 2Ch 27:1-9).
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 15:25 2 Kings 15:29 2 Kings 15:31 2 Kings 17:1

Verse 31

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The latter kings of Israel.
This history shows Israel in confusion. Though Judah was not without troubles, yet that kingdom was happy, compared with the state of Israel. The imperfections of true believers are very different from the allowed wickedness of ungodly men. Such is human nature, such are our hearts, if left to themselves, deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. We have reason to be thankful for restraints, for being kept out of temptation, and should beg of God to renew a right spirit within us.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 15:30 2 Kings 15:32

Verse 32

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Jotham, king of Judah.
Jotham showed great respect to the temple. If magistrates cannot do all they would, for the suppressing of vice and profaneness, let them do the more to support and advance piety and virtue.
McArther Bible Commentary
second year. B.C., the year of Pekah's second year of rule in Gilead, according to the accession-year system (see note on 2Ki 15:27).
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 15:31 2 Kings 15:33 1 Chronicles 5:17 Isaiah 1:1 Micah 1:1

Verse 33

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Jotham, king of Judah.
Jotham showed great respect to the temple. If magistrates cannot do all they would, for the suppressing of vice and profaneness, let them do the more to support and advance piety and virtue.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
To reign - Alone: for he had reigned before this, as his father's deputy.
McArther Bible Commentary
sixteen years. 750-735 B.C. According to verse 2Ki 15:30, Jotham reigned until 731 B.C. Jotham was probably replaced as a functioning king of Judah by a pro-Assyrian faction who established Ahaz as ruler (see notes on 2Ki 15:1-2) while leaving Jotham as a powerless co-regent. the prophets Isaiah (Isa 1:1) and Micah (Mic 1:1) ministered to Judah during Jotham's reign.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 15:32 2 Chronicles 27:1

Verse 34

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Jotham, king of Judah.
Jotham showed great respect to the temple. If magistrates cannot do all they would, for the suppressing of vice and profaneness, let them do the more to support and advance piety and virtue.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 15:3 2 Kings 15:4 2 Chronicles 26:4 2 Chronicles 26:5

Verse 35

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Jotham, king of Judah.
Jotham showed great respect to the temple. If magistrates cannot do all they would, for the suppressing of vice and profaneness, let them do the more to support and advance piety and virtue.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Gate - Not of the temple, but of one of the courts of the temple, probably that which led to the king's palace.
McArther Bible Commentary
the Upper Gate. Probably the Upper Benjamin Gate, which stood along the north side of the temple complex facing the territory of Benjamin (cf. Jer 20:2; Eze 9:2; Zec 14:10). Other accomplishments of Jotham are noted in 2Ch 27:3-6.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 12:3 2 Kings 15:36 2 Chronicles 23:20 2 Chronicles 27:3

Verse 36

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Jotham, king of Judah.
Jotham showed great respect to the temple. If magistrates cannot do all they would, for the suppressing of vice and profaneness, let them do the more to support and advance piety and virtue.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 15:35 2 Kings 15:37 2 Chronicles 27:7

Verse 37

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Jotham, king of Judah.
Jotham showed great respect to the temple. If magistrates cannot do all they would, for the suppressing of vice and profaneness, let them do the more to support and advance piety and virtue.
McArther Bible Commentary
Rezin … Pekah. See notes on 2Ki 16:5-9.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 15:36 2 Kings 15:38 2 Kings 16:5 Isaiah 7:1

Verse 38

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Jotham, king of Judah.
Jotham showed great respect to the temple. If magistrates cannot do all they would, for the suppressing of vice and profaneness, let them do the more to support and advance piety and virtue.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 15:37 2 Kings 16:1