2 Kings 15:1
In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Azariah the son of Amaziah, king of Judah, began to reign.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
What's striking here is that Azariah's reign in Judah begins in the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam's rule in Israel. This timing isn't accidental; it subtly highlights how long Israel had been entrenched in their idolatry and rebellion under Jeroboam, while Judah, despite its own flaws, continued to have kings appointed in sequence.
This verse kicks off a lengthy section detailing the reigns of kings in both Israel and Judah, often showing a stark contrast between their faithfulness to God. Immediately following is a list of Israel's kings who largely followed Jeroboam II's bad example, while Judah's kings waver between periods of good and bad. Azariah's reign begins here, and the narrative will soon reveal his significant time as king and his eventual leprosy, a consequence of his actions.
We meet a new king in Judah, but his story is already tied to the north. What does this reveal about the divided kingdom?
A New King, An Old Divide
The Bible often marks the beginning of a king's reign by noting the ruler of the other kingdom. This verse does just that. Azariah, son of Amaziah, becomes king of Judah. But his reign starts in the 27th year of Jeroboam, the king of Israel (the northern kingdom).
This isn't just chronological information. It's a constant reminder of the division that tore Israel apart after Solomon's reign. The two kingdoms, though once united, now exist in a state of separation, often in tension. Mentioning Jeroboam's reign alongside Azariah's highlights this fractured reality from the very start of Azariah's time on the throne.
Azariah's reign is marked by a significant event. What does his long rule and its ultimate consequence tell us about faithfulness and judgment?
Long and Prosperous, Until...
Azariah, also known as Uzziah, had one of the longest reigns in Judah's history. The Bible records that he was successful, prosperous, and sought after God during his early years. He strengthened Judah's defenses, expanded its territory, and improved its agriculture.
However, his story takes a sobering turn. Despite his successes, he became overly proud and presumptuous. He entered the Temple to burn incense, an act reserved for priests alone. This led to God striking him with leprosy, forcing him to live apart for the rest of his days.
His reign serves as a stark reminder that outward success and longevity don't guarantee spiritual faithfulness. Even a good start can falter if pride takes root.
Understand the original words
melek · Hebrew Noun
The title for a male monarch or ruler of a nation; in the biblical context, it refers to the one who exercises supreme authority over the people of Israel or Judah, ideally under the sovereignty of God.
melek Yehudah · Hebrew Noun
A general term for a male ruler; in the context of the Davidic line, it denotes the sovereign authority over the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
This verse anchors us in a specific year, the 27th of Jeroboam II's reign, which allows us to date Azariah's rule in Judah with remarkable precision, highlighting a period of relative stability and strength in both kingdoms before their eventual downfalls.
c. 798 BC
Reign of Jeroboam II begins
Jeroboam II, a powerful king, ascended the throne of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. His long and prosperous reign would see Israel reach a significant military and economic peak.
c. 791 BC
Reign of Amaziah ends
Amaziah, king of Judah, was assassinated by his own people. His son, Azariah, a young man at the time, would eventually succeed him and rule for many decades.
c. 786 BC
Azariah begins co-reign in Judah
Azariah (also known as Uzziah) began his reign as king of Judah, initially co-reigning with his father Amaziah before becoming sole ruler. His reign would be marked by military success and economic prosperity.
c. 776 BC
First Olympic Games held
The first recorded Olympic Games took place in ancient Greece, marking a significant cultural milestone in the Hellenic world during this period.
This parallel passage in Chronicles emphasizes Azariah's ascent to the throne, highlighting his youth (sixteen years old) when he began his long and often faithful reign over Judah.
2 Kings 14:21This verse immediately precedes the one you provided, detailing Azariah's father Amaziah's reign ending and setting the stage for Azariah's own kingship.
2 Kings 15:13This verse marks the end of Azariah's (also known as Uzziah) reign and the beginning of his son Jotham's, showing the full span of his time as king.
2 Kings 15:17This verse mentions Jeroboam II, the king of Israel during Azariah's early reign, showing the overlapping time periods of these two kingdoms' rulers.
What's striking here is that Azariah's reign in Judah begins in the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam's rule in Israel. This timing isn't accidental; it subtly highlights how long Israel had been entrenched in their idolatry and rebellion under Jeroboam, while Judah, despite its own flaws, continued to have kings appointed in sequence.
This verse kicks off a lengthy section detailing the reigns of kings in both Israel and Judah, often showing a stark contrast between their faithfulness to God. Immediately following is a list of Israel's kings who largely followed Jeroboam II's bad example, while Judah's kings waver between periods of good and bad. Azariah's reign begins here, and the narrative will soon reveal his significant time as king and his eventual leprosy, a consequence of his actions.
This verse kicks off a lengthy section detailing the reigns of kings in both Israel and Judah, often showing a stark contrast between their faithfulness to God. Immediately following is a list of Israel's kings who largely followed Jeroboam II's bad example, while Judah's kings waver between periods of good and bad. Azariah's reign begins here, and the narrative will soon reveal his significant time as king and his eventual leprosy, a consequence of his actions.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about 2 Kings 15:1 is available in the Sola app.
c. 773 BC
Reign of Jeroboam II ends
Jeroboam II, king of Israel, died after a long and influential reign. His death marked the beginning of a period of instability for the Northern Kingdom.
c. 772 BC— this verse
Azariah's sole reign as King of Judah
In the 27th year of Jeroboam II's reign, Azariah officially began his reign as king of Judah. This verse pinpoints a specific moment within the overlapping reigns of these two significant monarchs.
c. 753 BC
Traditional founding of Rome
According to legend, the city of Rome was founded by Romulus. This event occurred towards the later part of Azariah's long reign in Judah.
"In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Azariah the son of Amaziah, king of Judah, began to reign." — What's striking here is that Azariah's reign in Judah begins in the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam's rule in Israel. This timing isn't accidental; it subtly highlights how long Israel had been ent…
