◄ 2 Kings 15:8 ►
In the thirty-eighth year of Azariah's reign over Judah, Zechariah son of Jeroboam became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria six months.
Study Bible
In the thirty-eighth year of Azariah’s reign over Judah
Azariah, also known as Uzziah, was a king of Judah who reigned for 52 years. His reign is noted for prosperity and military success, as well as a period of spiritual decline due to his pride, which led to his downfall (2 Chronicles 26:16-21). The reference to the thirty-eighth year of his reign provides a chronological marker, situating Zechariah's ascension in the broader timeline of the divided monarchy. This period was marked by political instability and frequent changes in leadership, particularly in the northern kingdom of Israel.

Zechariah son of Jeroboam became king of Israel
Zechariah was the son of Jeroboam II, who was one of the more successful kings of Israel, known for expanding the kingdom's borders and bringing economic prosperity (2 Kings 14:23-29). Zechariah's ascension marks the continuation of the Jehu dynasty, fulfilling the prophecy given to Jehu that his descendants would sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation (2 Kings 10:30). However, Zechariah's reign was short-lived, indicating the instability and moral decline of Israel during this period.

and he reigned in Samaria
Samaria was the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, established by King Omri (1 Kings 16:24). It was a significant city both politically and religiously, often associated with idolatry and the worship of Baal, which was introduced by Ahab and Jezebel (1 Kings 16:31-33). The city was strategically located, making it a center of power and influence in the region. The mention of Samaria underscores the central role it played in the governance and spiritual life of Israel.

six months
Zechariah's brief reign of six months highlights the political turmoil and rapid turnover of kings in Israel during this era. His short rule ended with his assassination by Shallum, as recorded in 2 Kings 15:10. This period of instability was a consequence of the nation's departure from the covenant with God, leading to internal strife and vulnerability to external threats. The brevity of his reign contrasts with the longer, more stable reigns in Judah, reflecting the consequences of Israel's persistent idolatry and disobedience.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Azariah (Uzziah)
King of Judah during whose reign Zechariah became king of Israel. His reign is noted for both prosperity and eventual downfall due to pride.

2. Zechariah
Son of Jeroboam II, he became king of Israel and reigned for a brief period of six months. His short reign is marked by instability and eventual assassination.

3. Jeroboam II
Father of Zechariah, he was a powerful king of Israel who expanded the kingdom's territory and brought prosperity, yet continued in the sins of Jeroboam I.

4. Samaria
The capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, where Zechariah reigned. It was a center of political and religious activity.

5. Israel
The Northern Kingdom, distinct from Judah, often characterized by idolatry and political turmoil during this period.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Sinful Leadership
Zechariah's brief reign is a reminder of the instability that follows when leaders persist in sin. His assassination underscores the consequences of ignoring God's commands.

The Fulfillment of Prophecy
Zechariah's death fulfills God's word to Jehu, demonstrating that God's promises and warnings are sure. This should encourage believers to trust in God's faithfulness.

The Importance of Godly Leadership
The contrast between the reigns of Azariah in Judah and Zechariah in Israel highlights the impact of leadership. Godly leaders can bring stability and blessing, while ungodly leaders lead to chaos.

The Brevity of Earthly Power
Zechariah's six-month reign serves as a reminder of the temporary nature of earthly power and the importance of seeking eternal significance through obedience to God.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the brief reign of Zechariah reflect the spiritual state of Israel at the time, and what lessons can we learn about the importance of spiritual leadership?

2. In what ways does the fulfillment of prophecy in Zechariah's assassination encourage us to trust in God's promises today?

3. Compare the leadership styles of Azariah and Zechariah. What can we learn about the impact of godly versus ungodly leadership in our own lives and communities?

4. How does the instability in Israel during Zechariah's reign serve as a warning against the consequences of persistent sin?

5. Reflect on the temporary nature of Zechariah's power. How can this perspective influence our priorities and actions in our daily lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Kings 14:23-29
Provides background on Jeroboam II's reign, highlighting the prosperity and idolatry that set the stage for Zechariah's brief rule.

2 Kings 15:9-12
Details the assassination of Zechariah, fulfilling the prophecy given to Jehu about his descendants.

Amos 7:9
Amos prophesies the downfall of the house of Jeroboam, which is realized in Zechariah's assassination.
Sermons
Some Lessons from the History of KingsD. Thomas 2 Kings 15:1-38
Anarchy in IsraelJ. Orr 2 Kings 15:8-22
People
Abel, Ahaz, Amaziah, Amram, Aram, Argob, Arieh, Azaliah, Azariah, David, Elah, Gadi, Gileadites, Hoshea, Jabesh, Jecholiah, Jecoliah, Jehu, Jeroboam, Jerusha, Jotham, Maacah, Menahem, Naphtali, Nebat, Pekah, Pekahiah, Pul, Remaliah, Rezin, Shallum, Tappuah, Tiglathpileser, Tirzah, Uzziah, Zachariah, Zadok, Zechariah
Places
Abel-beth-maacah, Assyria, Damascus, Galilee, Gilead, Hazor, Ibleam, Ijon, Janoah, Jerusalem, Kedesh, Samaria, Syria, Tirzah
Topics
Azaliah, Azariah, Azari'ah, Eighth, Jeroboam, Jerobo'am, Judah, Months, Reign, Reigned, Samaria, Sama'ria, Six, Thirty, Thirty-eighth, Zachariah, Zechariah, Zechari'ah
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 15:1-38

     5366   king

2 Kings 15:8-9

     8739   evil, examples of

Library
The Twelve Minor Prophets.
1. By the Jewish arrangement, which places together the twelve minor prophets in a single volume, the chronological order of the prophets as a whole is broken up. The three greater prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, stand in the true order of time. Daniel began to prophesy before Ezekiel, but continued, many years after him. The Jewish arrangement of the twelve minor prophets is in a sense chronological; that is, they put the earlier prophets at the beginning, and the later at the end of the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Meditations Before Dinner and Supper.
Meditate that hunger is like the sickness called a wolf; which, if thou dost not feed, will devour thee, and eat thee up; and that meat and drink are but as physic, or means which God hath ordained, to relieve and cure this natural infirmity and necessity of man. Use, therefore, to eat and to drink, rather to sustain and refresh the weakness of nature, than to satisfy the sensuality and delights of the flesh. Eat, therefore, to live, but live not to eat. There is no service so base, as for a man …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

A Living Book
[Illustration: (drop cap T) Symbol of "Asshur", the principal Assyrian idol.] There is only one Book that never grows old. For thousands of years men have been writing books. Most books are forgotten soon after they are written; a few of the best and wisest are remembered for a time. But all at last grow old; new discoveries are made; new ideas arise; the old books are out of date; their usefulness is at an end. Students are the only people who still care to read them. The nations to which the …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making

In Galilee at the Time of Our Lord
"If any one wishes to be rich, let him go north; if he wants to be wise, let him come south." Such was the saying, by which Rabbinical pride distinguished between the material wealth of Galilee and the supremacy in traditional lore claimed for the academies of Judaea proper. Alas, it was not long before Judaea lost even this doubtful distinction, and its colleges wandered northwards, ending at last by the Lake of Gennesaret, and in that very city of Tiberias which at one time had been reputed unclean! …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

The Prophet Micah.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. Micah signifies: "Who is like Jehovah;" and by this name, the prophet is consecrated to the incomparable God, just as Hosea was to the helping God, and Nahum to the comforting God. He prophesied, according to the inscription, under Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. We are not, however, entitled, on this account, to dissever his prophecies, and to assign particular discourses to the reign of each of these kings. On the contrary, the entire collection forms only one whole. At …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The Prophet Hosea.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. That the kingdom of Israel was the object of the prophet's ministry is so evident, that upon this point all are, and cannot but be, agreed. But there is a difference of opinion as to whether the prophet was a fellow-countryman of those to whom he preached, or was called by God out of the kingdom of Judah. The latter has been asserted with great confidence by Maurer, among others, in his Observ. in Hos., in the Commentat. Theol. ii. i. p. 293. But the arguments …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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