2 Kings - Chapter 15

The Amazing Bible. Book Club

In chapter 15 of 2 Kings we see the downward spiral of the northern ten tribes of Israel. Zechariah, the fourth generation from Jehu, which the Lord had promised would happen, was king, but only for six months. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. Shallum assassinated him and became king for one month. It was so short that the writer of 2 Kings did not even say he did evil in the eyes of the Lord. Menahem assassinated him, and he reigned for 10 years. He also did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and during his reign, Assyria approached. Menahem paid tribute money so the king of Assyria would leave him alone, but that was not the end of Assyria. Menahem's son, Pekahiah, became king, and he also did evil in the eyes of the Lord. He only reigned for two years until Pekah, the king's chief officer, assassinated him. During Pekah's reign, the king of Assyria came back, and this time took some of the land of Israel, and deported some of the Israelites to Assyria. After that, Hoshea assassinated him, and he became king.
Chapter 15 began and ended with a focus on Judah. It started with Azariah, also known as Uzziah became king of Judah, and he reigned for 52 years. He was basically a good king that followed the Lord until he became too prideful due to his success, and the Lord struck him with leprosy. He was separated, and his son, Jotham began to reign. He basically was a good king, and he even rebuilt the Upper Gate of the temple of the Lord. We get a notice of what is coming in verse 37, "In those days the Lord began to send Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah against Judah." This sets the stage for the message of Isaiah!