Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Kings 15

THE REIGN OF AZARIAH (Uzziah), KING OF JUDAH. (Compare to 2 Chronicles 26)

In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam. —An error of transcription for the fifteenth year (שץ 15, מ, 27). The error is clear from 2 Kings 14:2; 2 Kings 14:17; 2 Kings 14:23. Amaziah reigned twenty-nine years (2 Kings 14:2), fourteen concurrently with Joash, and fifteen with Jeroboam. It was, therefore, in the fifteenth of Jeroboam that Uzziah succeeded his father.

Azariah. —An Azriyâhu (Az-ri-ya-a-u), king of Judah, is mentioned in two fragmentary inscriptions of Tiglath Pileser II (B.C. 745-727). The most important statement runs: “19 districts of the city of Hamath (Hammatti) with the cities of their circuit, on the coast of the sea of the setting of the sun (i.e., the Mediterranean), which in their transgression had revolted to Azariah, to the border of Assyria I restored, my prefects my governors over them I appointed.” The Eponym list records a three years’ campaign of Tiglath Pileser against the Syrian state of Arpad in B.C. 742-740. Schrader supposes that Azariah and Hamath were concerned in this campaign. (This conflicts with the ordinary chronology, which fixes 758 B.C. as the year of Azariah’s death.)

And he did that which was right. —This statement is repeated word for word in Chronicles. Its exact meaning here, as in other instances, is that Azariah supported legitimate worship and gave no approval to any foreign cultus. When the chronicler adds that sought God in the days of (the prophet) Zachariah, and that as long as he sought Jehovah, God made him to prosper, he does not contradict the preceding general estimate of the king’s religious policy, but simply gives additional information respecting his life and fortunes.

And the Lord smote the king. —The chronicler relates the reason—namely, because of his usurpation of priestly functions in the sanctuary. This happened towards the end of the reign. Jotham, the regent, was only twenty-five when Azariah died (2 Kings 15:33).

Smote. —Or, struck. So we speak of a paralytic stroke, and the word plague literally means stroke.

In a several house. —Rather, in the sickhouse (or, hospital)—that is, a royal residence outside of Jerusalem (Leviticus 13:46; 2 Kings 7:3) set apart for such cases. (Strictly, in the house of freedom; because lepers were emancipated from all social relations and duties. Gesenius explains the word from an Arabic root said to mean prostration, weakness; but Lane gives for that term the special meaning smallness (or, narrowness) of the eye; weakness of sight. See his Arabic Lexicon, Book I, Part II, p. 772.)

Over the house. —Not apparently as prefect of the palace (compare 1 Kings 4:6; 1 Kings 18:3), but as dwelling in the palace instead of his father.

Judging the people of the land. —As his father’s representative (compare 1 Samuel 8:6; 1 Samuel 8:20; 1 Kings 3:9).

This passage is strong evidence against the assumption of joint sovereignties of princes with their fathers, so often made by way of escaping chronological difficulties in Hebrew history. Jotham is not co-regent but viceroy of Azariah until the latter dies.

The rest of the acts of Azariah. — Such as his wars with the Philistines and Arabs, his improvements in the organisation of the army and the defences of the capital, his fondness for husbandry and cattle-breeding, and his success in all these directions, as well as his intrusion into the Sanctuary to offer incense at the golden altar. (See 2 Chronicles 25:0 and the Notes there.)

THE REIGNS OF ZACHARIAH AND SHALLUM IN SAMARIA.

In the thirty-eighth year of Azariah. —This agrees with the assumption that Jeroboam reigned fifty-one years (2 Kings 14:23).