1 Kings 15
2 Kings 15 chronicles the coronation, reigns, and deaths of various kings of the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah in chronological order. In this chapter, the reign of Azariah (Uzziah) of Judah and the brief or unstable reigns of several kings of Israel—Zechariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah, and Pekah—are described, revealing political turmoil and instability. At the same time, the long reign of Azariah and its resulting consequences are also mentioned.
1verseNow in the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam the son of Nebat, Abijam began to reign over Judah.
2verseHe reigned three years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Maacah the daughter of Abishalom.
3verseHe walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him; and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father.
4verseNevertheless for David’s sake, the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him and to establish Jerusalem;
5versebecause David did that which was right in the LORD’s eyes, and didn’t turn away from anything that he commanded him all the days of his life, except only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.
6verseNow there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all the days of his life.
7verseThe rest of the acts of Abijam, and all that he did, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? There was war between Abijam and Jeroboam.
8verseAbijam slept with his fathers, and they buried him in David’s city; and Asa his son reigned in his place.
9verseIn the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Asa began to reign over Judah.
10verseHe reigned forty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Maacah the daughter of Abishalom.
11verseAsa did that which was right in the LORD’s eyes, as David his father did.
12verseHe put away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made.
13verseHe also removed Maacah his mother from being queen, because she had made an abominable image for an Asherah. Asa cut down her image and burned it at the brook Kidron.
14verseBut the high places were not taken away. Nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect with the LORD all his days.
15verseHe brought into the LORD’s house the things that his father had dedicated, and the things that he himself had dedicated: silver, gold, and utensils.
16verseThere was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.
17verseBaasha king of Israel went up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might not allow anyone to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.
18verseThen Asa took all the silver and the gold that was left in the treasures of the LORD’s house, and the treasures of the king’s house, and delivered it into the hand of his servants. Then King Asa sent them to Ben Hadad, the son of Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, who lived at Damascus, saying,
19verse“Let there be a treaty between me and you, like that between my father and your father. Behold, I have sent to you a present of silver and gold. Go, break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.”
20verseBen Hadad listened to King Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel, and struck Ijon, and Dan, and Abel Beth Maacah, and all Chinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali.
21verseWhen Baasha heard of it, he stopped building Ramah, and lived in Tirzah.
22verseThen King Asa made a proclamation to all Judah. No one was exempted. They carried away the stones of Ramah, and its timber, with which Baasha had built; and King Asa used it to build Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah.
23verseNow the rest of all the acts of Asa, and all his might, and all that he did, and the cities which he built, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? But in the time of his old age he was diseased in his feet.
24verseAsa slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in his father David’s city; and Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place.
25verseNadab the son of Jeroboam began to reign over Israel in the second year of Asa king of Judah; and he reigned over Israel two years.
26verseHe did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight, and walked in the way of his father, and in his sin with which he made Israel to sin.
27verseBaasha the son of Ahijah, of the house of Issachar, conspired against him; and Baasha struck him at Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines; for Nadab and all Israel were besieging Gibbethon.
28verseEven in the third year of Asa king of Judah, Baasha killed him and reigned in his place.
29verseAs soon as he was king, he struck all the house of Jeroboam. He didn’t leave to Jeroboam any who breathed, until he had destroyed him, according to the saying of the LORD, which he spoke by his servant Ahijah the Shilonite;
30versefor the sins of Jeroboam which he sinned, and with which he made Israel to sin, because of his provocation with which he provoked the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger.
31verseNow the rest of the acts of Nadab, and all that he did, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
32verseThere was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.
33verseIn the third year of Asa king of Judah, Baasha the son of Ahijah began to reign over all Israel in Tirzah for twenty-four years.
34verseHe did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight, and walked in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin with which he made Israel to sin.
Summary of Key People and Events
| King's name | Kingdom | Characteristics and events |
|---|---|---|
| Azariah (Uzziah) | Judah | He acted honestly in the sight of the LORD. He was afflicted with a serious skin disease and lived in a separate house. |
| Zechariah | Israel | He was murdered by Shallum after six months. |
| Shallum | Israel | He was murdered by Menahem after one month. |
| Menahem | Israel | He became king through brutal means. He paid tribute to the king of Assyria. |
| Pekahiah | Israel | The son of Menahem. He was murdered by Pekah. |
| Pekah | Israel | He reigned for twenty years. Internal conflict among the people continued. |
The Meaning and Message of the Whole Chapter
This chapter shows that when both Judah and Israel turn away from God’s will, political confusion and crisis come upon them. In particular, in the northern kingdom of Israel, the instability of the nation deepens due to frequent changes of kings and murders, as well as invasions by foreign powers. The repeated phrase, “did not do what was right in the sight of the LORD,” points to the cause as spiritual disobedience. However, because of the promise God made to David, it implies that the southern kingdom still remains under God’s protection.
Meditation Points
- Pay attention to the fact that the root cause of the kings’ successes and failures are evaluated in the text through their covenant faithfulness and relationship with God.
- Reflect by contrasting the instability of human politics that changes quickly with God’s unchanging promises.
- Take time to think about the role and influence of spiritual leaders.
Apply It to My Life
- In the decisions and choices I make in my life, reflect on whether I am seeking and following God’s will.
- Recheck that it is not merely external success or stability, but the right relationship with God that is the foundation of life.
- If I am in a position where I influence others in my home, workplace, or community, take time to examine myself by considering what kind of leadership I have, comparing myself with the kings in this passage.
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