2 Kings 15:1-12 (CLICK HERE FOR BIBLE VERSES)
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is 2 Kings 15:1-12. As usual, I encourage you to open your Bible and read the passage yourself first. See what you can glean with the Holy Spirit’s help. Then read the GAME sharing below. Let’s go!
2 Kings 15:1-7 (NIV)
1 In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah began to reign.
2 He was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. His mother’s name was Jecoliah; she was from Jerusalem.
3 He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Amaziah had done.
4 The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.
5 The LORD afflicted the king with leprosy until the day he died, and he lived in a separate house. Jotham the king’s son had charge of the palace and governed the people of the land.
6 As for the other events of Azariah’s reign, and all he did, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah?
7 Azariah rested with his fathers and was buried near them in the City of David. And Jotham his son succeeded him as king.
On verses 1-7: Here we read of King Azariah of Judah. In verse 3 we learn that King Azariah of Judah did right in the eyes of the Lord. Yet in verse 5 we also learn that King Azariah had leprosy until he died and lived in seclusion. Due to his disease, King Azariah basically had to let his son Jotham rule Judah for him. What happened? If we read 2 Kings 15:1-12 in isolation, we only see part of the story. When you read 2 Chronicles 26 together with 2 Kings 15:1-12, we get a fuller picture of what happened to King Azariah: during his early years as king, King Azariah loved the Lord, humbly followed Him and had great intelligence and leadership skills to boot. As a result God gave him great success. However, as he got older, King Azariah (also known as Uzziah) became prideful and his pride led both to his downfall as well as his sickness.
What can we learn from this? When reading a passage in Scripture, ask yourself: are there any other passages in the Bible that would help me better understand the passage I am reading? Watch for footnotes and cross references in your Bible, because those can help you discover more insights from God’s Word. Using Scripture to interpret other Scripture is an important skill if you want to grow in your knowledge, understanding and handling of God’s Word.
2 Kings 15:8-12 (NIV)
8 In the thirty-eighth year of Azariah king of Judah, Zechariah son of Jeroboam became king of Israel in Samaria, and he reigned six months.
9 He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, as his fathers had done. He did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit.
10 Shallum son of Jabesh conspired against Zechariah. He attacked him in front of the people, assassinated him and succeeded him as king.
11 The other events of Zechariah’s reign are written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel.
12 So the word of the LORD spoken to Jehu was fulfilled: “Your descendants will sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation.”
On verses 8-12: Here we read of King Zechariah of Israel who reigned for only 6 months. Zechariah’s was the fourth generation in Jehu’s line to rule over Israel. Just as God had promised, Jehu’s descendants would sit on the throne in Israel to the fourth generation (see 2 Kings 10:30).
What can we learn from this? God is true to His Word. What God promises God will do.
Father, thank You that Your Word is reliable and true. Thank You that the best way I can understand what You say in one part of the Scriptures is to read it in light of other parts of the Scriptures. I pray that I would become better and better at interpreting and understanding Your Word, both for my benefit and for the benefit of others. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
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