2 Kings 15 Bible Commentary

John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes

(Read all of 2 Kings 15)

Verse 1

[1] In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign.

To reign — Solely and fully to exercise his regal power.

Verse 5

[5] And the LORD smote the king, so that he was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house. And Jotham the king's son was over the house, judging the people of the land.

A leper — The cause whereof see 2 Chronicles 26:16.

Verse 8

[8] In the thirty and eighth year of Azariah king of Judah did Zachariah the son of Jeroboam reign over Israel in Samaria six months.

Six months — After the throne had been vacant several years, thro' the dissentions that were in the kingdom.

Verse 13

[13] Shallum the son of Jabesh began to reign in the nine and thirtieth year of Uzziah king of Judah; and he reigned a full month in Samaria.

Full moon — That dominion seldom lasts long, which is founded in blood and falsehood.

Verse 30

[30] And Hoshea the son of Elah made a conspiracy against Pekah the son of Remaliah, and smote him, and slew him, and reigned in his stead, in the twentieth year of Jotham the son of Uzziah.

Twentieth year — The meaning is, that he began his reign in the twentieth year after the beginning of Jotham's reign; or, which is the same thing, in the fourth year of Ahaz, son of Jotham.

Verse 33

[33] Five and twenty years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jerusha, the daughter of Zadok.

To reign — Alone: for he had reigned before this, as his father's deputy.

Verse 35

[35] Howbeit the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places. He built the higher gate of the house of the LORD.

Gate — Not of the temple, but of one of the courts of the temple, probably that which led to the king's palace.