2 He was sixteen years old when he became king, and he was ruling in Jerusalem for fifty-two years; his mother's name was Jecoliah of Jerusalem. 3 And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as his father Amaziah had done. 4 But he did not take away the high places, and the people still went on making offerings and burning them in the high places. 5 And the Lord sent disease on the king and he became a leper, and to the day of his death he was living separately in his private house. And Jotham his son was over his house, judging the people of the land. 6 Now the rest of the acts of Azariah, and all he did, are they not recorded in the book of the history of the kings of Judah? 7 And Azariah went to rest with his fathers and was put into the earth with his fathers in the town of David; and Jotham his son became king in his place.

The Reign of Zachariah

8 In the thirty-eighth year of Azaliah, king of Judah, Zechariah, son of Jeroboam, was king over Israel for six months. 9 And he did evil in the eyes of the Lord, as his father had done, not turning away from the sin which Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, did and made Israel do. 10 And Shallum, the son of Jabesh, made a secret design against him, and, attacking him in Ibleam, put him to death and became king in his place. 11 Now the rest of the acts of Zechariah are recorded in the book of the history of the kings of Israel. 12 This was what the Lord had said to Jehu, Your sons to the fourth generation will be kings of Israel. And so it came about.

The Reign of Shallum

13 Shallum, the son of Jabesh, became king in the thirty-ninth year of Uzziah, king of Judah; and he was ruling in Samaria for the space of one month.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Kings 15:2-13

Commentary on 2 Kings 15:1-7

(Read 2 Kings 15:1-7)

Uzziah did for the most part that which was right. It was happy for the kingdom that a good reign was a long one.

Commentary on 2 Kings 15:8-31

(Read 2 Kings 15:8-31)

This history shows Israel in confusion. Though Judah was not without troubles, yet that kingdom was happy, compared with the state of Israel. The imperfections of true believers are very different from the allowed wickedness of ungodly men. Such is human nature, such are our hearts, if left to themselves, deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. We have reason to be thankful for restraints, for being kept out of temptation, and should beg of God to renew a right spirit within us.