In this chapter, the title, “King of Israel”, changed hands several times over a short number of years by way of assassinations. May be the title should be "Assassins of Israel". The chapter begins, “Uzziah son of Amaziah began to rule over Judah in the twenty-seventh year of the reign of King Jeroboam II of Israel. He was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. (Wow...that’s a long time.) His mother was Jecoliah, from Jerusalem. He did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight, just as his father, Amaziah, had done. But he did not destroy the pagan shrines, where the people offered sacrifices and burned incense. The Lord struck the king with leprosy, which lasted until the day of his death; he lived in a house by himself. The king’s son Jotham was put in charge of the royal palace, and he governed the people of the land. (I wonder why the Lord struck King Uzziah with leprosy? As usual, if anyone knows, finds out, or has relevant information to share, please place a comment.)
The rest of the events in Uzziah’s reign and all his deeds are recorded in The Book of the History of the Kings of Judah. When Uzziah died, he was buried near his ancestors in the City of David. Then his son Jotham became the next king. (2 Kings 15:1-7)
Zechariah Rules in Israel
Kingdomship changed quickly beginning with the reign of Zechariah. He was the son of Jeroboam II and began to rule over Israel in the thirty-eighth year of King Uzziah’s reign in Judah. He only reigned in Samaria six months, before Shallum, son of Jabesh, assassinated him in public and became the next king. “So the Lord’s message to Jehu came true: “Your descendants will be kings of Israel down to the fourth generation.” (2 Kings 15:12)
Shallum’s reign was only one month, before Menahem, son of Gadi, assassinated him and became the next king of Israel.
Menahem Rules in Israel
“At that time Menahem destroyed the town of Tappuah and all the surrounding countryside as far as Tirzah, because its citizens refused to surrender the town. He killed the entire population and ripped open the pregnant women. (Wow...ruthless!)
Menahem stretched his leadership out to ten years, and during that time, he extorted money from the rich to support a huge payment he made to King Tiglath-pileser of Assyria to prevent him from taking over the land. Pekahiah, Menahem’s son, became the next king when Menahem died.
Pekahiah Rules in Israel
Pekahiah only ruled in Samaria for two years, before Pekah, the commander of Pekahiah’s army, conspired against him (Wait for it. You already know.) and assassinated him in the palace.
Each of these kings did what was evil in the eyes of the Lord, and their reign and deeds are recorded in The Book of the History of the Kings of Israel.
Pekah Rules in Israel
“Pekah son of Remaliah began to rule over Israel in the fifty-second year of King Uzziah’s reign in Judah. He reigned in Samaria twenty years. But Pekah did what was evil in the Lord’s sight. He refused to turn from the sins of idolatry that Jeroboam son of Nebat had led Israel to commit.
During his reign, King Tiglath-pileser of Assyria attacked Israel again, and he captured the towns of Ijon, Abel-beth-maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, and Hazor. (Wow...the king from Assyria returned to the land of Israel to continue what he started, after juicing King Menahem for money. Remember, Menahem paid the king of Assyria lots of money to keep him from invading the land. He is double-dipping!) He also conquered the regions of Gilead, Galilee, and Naphtali, and he took the people to Assyria as captives. Then Hoshea son of Elah conspired against Pekah and assassinated him. He began to rule over Israel in the twentieth year of Pekah’s reign and all his deeds are recorded in The Book of the History of the Kings of Israel.
Jotham Rules in Judah
Jotham son of Uzziah began to rule over Judah in the second year of King Pekah’s reign in Israel. He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. His mother was Jerusha, the daughter of Zadok.
Jotham did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight, just as his father Uzziah had done. But he did not destroy the pagan shrines, where the people offered sacrifices and burned incense. He was the one who rebuilt the upper gate of the Temple of the Lord.
The rest of the events in Jotham’s reign and all his deeds are recorded in The Book of the History of the Kings of Judah. In those days the Lord began to send King Rezin of Aram and King Pekah of Israel to attack Judah. (Don’t be mistaken...God has a plan! He had a plan then and He has a plan now. Your circumstances are not by chance!) When Jotham died, he was buried with his ancestors in the City of David. Then his son Ahaz became the next king. (2 Kings 15:27-38)
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Help us do what is pleasing to you, and also, rid ourselves of things that dishonor you. And help us know, Lord, that our circumstances are not by chance. You are executing your plan! We love you!
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
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