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2 Kings 15

38 verses

TL;DR

The chapter records a succession of kings in both Israel and Judah, highlighting their repeated apostasy and the resulting foreign domination, especially by Assyria and Syria.

Summary

The first part recounts the reign of Azariah of Judah, who ruled for fifty years but failed to eliminate the high places, and was later afflicted by leprosy. His son Jotham succeeded him. In Israel, the chapter lists a rapid succession of kings—Zachariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah, Pekah, and Hoshea—each marked by wickedness and often seized by conspirators or foreign powers. Menahem's tribute of a thousand talents to Assyria temporarily secured his reign, while Assyrian incursions in the later years led to the loss of northern territories and eventual deportations. The narrative ends with Jotham of Judah, who also failed to remove the high places, and the looming threat from Syria and Israel’s king Pekah. The recurring theme is that the kings’ disobedience invites judgment and loss of sovereignty.

Outline
  1. Reign of Judah kings Azariah and Jotham, marked by apostasy and leprosy
  2. Rapid succession of Israelite kings—Zachariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah, Pekah, Hoshea—each ended by intrigue or Assyrian intervention
  3. Foreign domination: Assyrian tribute, territorial losses, and Syrian threat to Judah
Themes
apostasy and idolatrypolitical instability and usurpationforeign domination and national decline
Keywords
high placessinsAssyriacovenantidolatrytributedeportation
People
JeroboamAzariahAmaziahJecholiahJothamZachariahShallumMenahemPekahiahPekahHosheaJotham (of Judah)UzziahAhazRezinSyriaAssyriaTirzahTiglathpileser
Places
JerusalemSamariaTirzahIjonAbelbethmaachahJanoahKedeshHazorGileadGalileeNaphtaliCity of David
Things
high placessilver (thousand talents)Assyrian tributeforeign conquestcovenant violations
Key Verses
  • 2 Kings 15:4: high places still present, showing apostasy
  • 2 Kings 15:20: Menahem’s payment of a thousand talents to Assyria illustrates political strategy and loss of autonomy
  • 2 Kings 15:29: Assyrian seizure of northern territories marks the decline of Israel’s sovereignty
Questions
  • Why does the narrative repeatedly emphasize that the kings did not remove the high places?
  • In what ways did Assyrian tribute alter Israel’s political standing?
  • How do the frequent coups reflect on Israel’s political culture?
  • What role does Judah’s relative stability play in the broader narrative?
  • How might the repeated pattern of apostasy affect the nation’s identity?
Sentiment

negative
The chapter primarily recounts wickedness, foreign domination, and loss of sovereignty.