1V dvadsiatom siedmom roku izraelského kráľa Járobeáma stal sa kráľom judský kráľ Azarja (Uzija), syn Amacjov. 2Keď sa stal kráľom, mal šestnásť rokov, a kraľoval päťdesiatdva rokov v Jeruzaleme. Jeho matka sa volala Jecholjá z Jeruzalema. 3Konal, čo je v očiach Hospodinových správne, celkom tak, ako robil jeho otec Amacja. 4Len výšiny neboli odstránené. Ľud ešte vždy obetoval a kadil na výšinách. 5Hospodin ranil kráľa, takže bol malomocný až do dňa svojej smrti a býval v osobitnom dome. Kráľov syn Jótám bol na čele domu a spravoval ľud krajiny. 6Ostatné činy Azarjove, všetko, čo vykonal, je zapísané v Knihe letopisov judských kráľov. 7Keď Azarja usnul so svojimi otcami, pochovali ho k otcom v meste Dávidovom a kráľom miesto neho sa stal jeho syn Jótám. 8V tridsiatom ôsmom roku judského kráľa Azarju stal sa kráľom nad Izraelom v Samárii Járobeámov syn Zecharja. Panoval šesť mesiacov. 9Robil, čo sa nepáči Hospodinovi, ako robili jeho otcovia. Neodstúpil od hriechov Járobeáma, syna Nebatovho, ktorými ten zviedol Izrael na hriech. 10Proti nemu zosnoval sprisahanie Šallum, syn Jábešov. Zrazil ho pred ľudom, usmrtil a stal sa kráľom miesto neho. 11Ostatné činy Zecharjove sú zapísané v Knihe letopisov izraelských kráľov. 12Tak znelo slovo Hospodinovo, ktoré vyriekol Jéhuovi: Tvoji synovia až do štvrtého pokolenia budú sedieť na izraelskom tróne. Tak sa aj stalo. 13Šallum, syn Jábéšov, stal sa kráľom v tridsiatom deviatom roku judského kráľa Uziju (Azarja) a kraľoval jeden mesiac v Samárii. 14Vtedy vytiahol Menachém, syn Gádiho, z Tirce a prišiel do Samárie. V Samárii ranil a usmrtil Šalluma, syna Jábéšovho, a stal sa kráľom miesto neho. 15Ostatné činy Šallumove, aj sprisahanie, ktoré zosnoval, je zapísané v Knihe letopisov izraelských kráľov. 16Vtedy Menachém z Tirce spustošil Tapúach a všetko v ňom, aj jeho územie, lebo mu neotvorili. Keď ho spustošil, jeho tehotné rozpáral. 17V tridsiatom deviatom roku judského kráľa Azarju stal sa kráľom nad Izraelom v Samárii Menachém, syn Gádiho; panoval desať rokov. 18Konal, čo sa Hospodinovi nepáči, po všetky svoje dni neodstúpil od hriechov Járobeáma, syna Nebatovho, ktorý zviedol Izrael na hriech. 19Keď proti krajine pritiahol asýrsky kráľ Púl, Menachém dal Púlovi tisíc talentov striebra, aby mu pomohol upevniť kráľovstvo v jeho ruke. 20Menachém vyrubil peniaze Izraelcom, a to za všetkých hrdinov z vojska, aby tak mohol dať asýrskemu kráľovi. Päťdesiat šekelov na jedného muža. Asýrsky kráľ sa potom vrátil a nezostal v krajine. 21Ostatné činy Menachémove, všetko, čo vykonal, je zapísané v Knihe letopisov izraelských kráľov. 22Keď Menachém usnul so svojimi otcami, stal sa kráľom miesto neho jeho syn Pekachja. 23V päťdesiatom roku judského kráľa Azarju stal sa kráľom nad Izraelom v Samárii Pekachja, syn Menachémov. Panoval dva roky. 24Robil, čo sa nepáči Hospodinovi, neodstúpil od hriechov Járobeáma, syna Nebatovho, ktorý zviedol Izrael na hriech. 25Jeho dôstojník Pekach, syn Remaljov, zosnoval proti nemu sprisahanie s päťdesiatimi mužmi z Gileádu a zabil ho v hradnej veži kráľovského paláca v Samárii. Keď ho usmrtili, stal sa kráľom miesto neho. 26Ostatné činy Pekachjove, všetko, čo vykonal, je zapísané v Knihe letopisov izraelských kráľov. 27V päťdesiatom druhom roku judského kráľa Azarju stal sa kráľom nad Izraelom v Samárii Pekach, syn Remaljov. Panoval dvadsať rokov. 28Konal, čo sa nepáči Hospodinovi, neodstúpil od hriechov Járobeáma, syna Nebatovho, ktorými ten zviedol Izrael na hriech. 29Za čias izraelského kráľa Pekacha prišiel asýrsky kráľ Tiglat Pileser, zabral Ijjón, Ábelbét-maachá, Jánóach, Kedeš, Chácór, Gileád, Galileu, celý kraj Naftálí a odviedol ich do Asýrie. 30Vtedy Hóšéa, syn Élov, zosnoval sprisahanie proti Pekachovi, synovi Remaljovmu, a zabil ho. Keď ho usmrtil, stal sa miesto neho kráľom v dvadsiatom roku Jótáma, syna Uzijovho. 31Ostatné činy Pekachove, všetko, čo vykonal, je zapísané v Knihe letopisov izraelských kráľov. 32V druhom roku izraelského kráľa Pekacha, syna Remaljovho, sa stal kráľom Jótám, syn judského kráľa Uziju. 33Keď sa stal kráľom, mal dvadsaťpäť rokov, a kraľoval šestnásť rokov v Jeruzaleme. Jeho matka sa volala Jerúšá, dcéra Cádókova. 34Robil, čo je správne v očiach Hospodinových, celkom tak, ako robil jeho otec Uzija. 35Len výšiny neodstránili. Ľud ešte vždy obetoval a kadil na výšinách. On postavil Hornú bránu domu Hospodinovho. 36Ostatné činy Jótámove, ktoré vykonal, sú zapísané v Knihe letopisov judských kráľov. 37V tých časoch začal Hospodin posielať do Judska sýrskeho kráľa Recina a Pekacha, syna Remaljovho. 38Keď Jótám usnul so svojimi otcami, pochovali ho k nim v meste jeho otca Dávida. Po ňom sa stal kráľom jeho syn Ácház.
Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary 1 AZARIAH'S REIGN OVER JUDAH. (
2Kgs 15:1-7)
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 (2Ch. 26:1-23). 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 (
Num 8:7), 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
2Kgs 15:33) --he had to dwell in a place apart by himself (see on
2Kgs 7:3). 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" (
2Chr 26:23).
8 ZECHARIAH'S REIGN OVER ISRAEL. (
2Kgs 15:8-16)
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 (
2Kgs 10:30; also
Hos 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 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 (
1Kgs 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.
17 MENAHEM'S REIGN. (
2Kgs 15:17-21)
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" [
Hos 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 (
Hos 5:13;
Hos 7:1;
Hos 8:9), and a covenant-making with Asshur" (
2Kgs 12:1) [KEIL].
a thousand talents of silver--Equal to Ł262,200. This tribute, which Menahem raised by a tax on the grandees of Israel, bribed Pul to return to his own country (see on
1Chr 5:26).
23 PEKAHIAH'S REIGN. (
2Kgs 15:22-24)
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.
29 PEKAH'S REIGN. (
2Kgs 15:27-31)
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
2Chr 27:8).
33 JOTHAM'S REIGN OVER JUDAH. (
2Kgs 15:32-38)
Five and twenty years was he when he began to reign--that is, alone--for he had ruled as his father's viceroy [
2Kgs 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 (
2Chr 23:20).
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
2Chr 27:5.] However, war was not actually waged till the reign of Ahaz.