2 Kings 15:6-7
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This verse isn't just a dry historical footnote; it highlights that even a king's entire reign, his "acts and all that he did," can be reduced to a record in someone else's history. It subtly points out how our own stories, our achievements and failures, might be summarized and archived, making us consider what we want that summary to say. Ultimately, it challenges us to live lives worthy of a more meaningful narrative than just a historical entry.
Now the rest of the acts of Azariah, and all that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? And Azariah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David, and Jotham his son reigned in his place.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse appears in the historical account of the kings of Judah. It's a concluding statement for King Azariah (also known as Uzziah), summarizing his reign and pointing readers to a more detailed record elsewhere, a common way these historical books wrap up individual king's stories. The preceding verses likely detail his significant reign, while the following verses would move on to the next king, indicating a transition in the narrative.
We often focus on the grand narratives, but what about the everyday actions of leaders? This verse reminds us that even the 'rest of the acts' matter.
The Official Record vs. Divine Awareness
The Book of the Chronicles was the official royal history, much like our modern historical accounts. It likely focused on major battles, political alliances, and significant building projects. However, the phrasing here hints at a vast amount of Azariah's life that didn't make the cut for the official record.
But here’s the profound truth: while human histories are selective, God’s memory is not. He knows every detail of every life, the 'rest of the acts' that go unrecorded by man. Azariah’s faithfulness (or unfaithfulness) in the small, unchronicled moments was still known and accounted for by God.
Why didn't everything get written down? This verse reveals the selective nature of historical records and what that means for us.
History is Written by the Victors (and the Scribes)
Official chronicles, like the one mentioned here, were often commissioned and curated by the ruling powers. This means they tended to highlight successes, downplay failures, and omit anything that didn't serve the reigning narrative. What was considered important enough to record was a decision made by human hands, influenced by human perspectives.
This passage isn't a complaint, but a factual statement. It tells us that the story of Azariah, including his struggles, his private devotion, his interactions with people outside the palace – the everyday texture of his life – isn't contained in the official annals. We have to trust that God preserves the complete account, even if human records are incomplete.
Ask a follow-up
Understand the original words
shakab ‘im ‘abothayw · Hebrew Verb phrase
A phrase commonly used in the Old Testament to describe the death of a king, signifying both the physical end of life and a continuing association with his ancestors in the afterlife or in the family burial tradition.
iyr David · Hebrew Proper noun
A phrase referring to Jerusalem, specifically the Zion fortress captured from the Jebusites, which became the royal residence and burial place for the kings of the Davidic line.
This verse points to a time when the Northern Kingdom of Israel was led by Jeroboam II and the Southern Kingdom of Judah by the long-reigning Uzziah (Azariah). Uzziah's reign was marked by significant achievements but ended in divine judgment due to his prideful overreach into the priestly role, a stark reminder that even successful leadership can face spiritual collapse.
c. 790 BC
Reign of Jeroboam II in Israel
Jeroboam II ruled the Northern Kingdom of Israel during a period of relative peace and prosperity, though moral decay was rampant. His reign overlapped with Uzziah's.
c. 788 BC
Uzziah Begins Reign in Judah
Uzziah (also called Azariah) ascended to the throne of the Southern Kingdom of Judah at the age of 16. He would reign for 52 years.
c. 770 BC
Uzziah's Military Successes
Uzziah strengthened Judah's military, recapturing the important southern port of Elath and securing the kingdom's borders against the Philistines and Arabs.
c. 765 BC
Uzziah's Building Projects and Reforms
He invested in agriculture, built towers and fortifications, and organized the army, bringing prosperity and stability to Judah.
c. 755 BC— this verse
Uzziah's Attempted Priestly Role
In an act of defiance against God's appointed order, Uzziah entered the Temple to burn incense, a role reserved for priests. He was struck with leprosy.
c. 740 BC
Death of Uzziah and Jotham's Regency
Uzziah died a leper, having been separated from public life. His son Jotham likely ruled as regent during the final years of his father's life and then as king.
This verse, like 2 Kings 15:6, points to the 'Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel' as the primary source for historical details, showing a pattern of referencing these annals for royal histories.
2 Kings 1:18This passage also directs the reader to the 'Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel' for further information about a king's reign, highlighting the existence and importance of these royal records in ancient Israel.
Jeremiah 17:1Jeremiah refers to the sin of Judah being 'written with a pen of iron' and 'with a point of a diamond,' suggesting that divine judgment and actions are indelibly recorded, much like the historical chronicles themselves.
Nehemiah 12:23This verse mentions the continuation of the records 'in the book of the chronicles' during the time of the priests, indicating these historical records were maintained and consulted across different periods.
This verse isn't just a dry historical footnote; it highlights that even a king's entire reign, his "acts and all that he did," can be reduced to a record in someone else's history. It subtly points out how our own stories, our achievements and failures, might be summarized and archived, making us consider what we want that summary to say. Ultimately, it challenges us to live lives worthy of a more meaningful narrative than just a historical entry.
This verse appears in the historical account of the kings of Judah. It's a concluding statement for King Azariah (also known as Uzziah), summarizing his reign and pointing readers to a more detailed record elsewhere, a common way these historical books wrap up individual king's stories. The preceding verses likely detail his significant reign, while the following verses would move on to the next king, indicating a transition in the narrative.
This verse appears in the historical account of the kings of Judah. It's a concluding statement for King Azariah (also known as Uzziah), summarizing his reign and pointing readers to a more detailed record elsewhere, a common way these historical books wrap up individual king's stories. The preceding verses likely detail his significant reign, while the following verses would move on to the next king, indicating a transition in the narrative.
"Now the rest of the acts of Azariah, and all that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? And Azariah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David, and Jotham h…" — This verse isn't just a dry historical footnote; it highlights that even a king's entire reign, his "acts and all that he did," can be reduced to a record in someone else's history. It subtly points…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
