2 Kings 15 2

2 Kings 15:2 kjv

Sixteen years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned two and fifty years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem.

2 Kings 15:2 nkjv

He was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem.

2 Kings 15:2 niv

He was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. His mother's name was Jekoliah; she was from Jerusalem.

2 Kings 15:2 esv

He was sixteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jecoliah of Jerusalem.

2 Kings 15:2 nlt

He was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. His mother was Jecoliah from Jerusalem.

2 Kings 15 verses

2 Kings 15 2 Meaning

This verse introduces Azariah (also known as Uzziah), the twelfth king of Judah, stating his age at accession (sixteen), the duration of his reign (fifty-two years) in Jerusalem, and identifies his mother as Jecoliah, also from Jerusalem. It establishes key chronological and lineage details essential for understanding his position within the Davidic dynasty and the historical timeline of the Judean monarchy.

2 Kings 15 2 Context

2 Kings chapter 15 records a tumultuous period for both the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. For Israel, it details a rapid succession of six kings, mostly marked by wickedness and assassinations, highlighting the kingdom's accelerating decline towards Assyrian conquest. In contrast, Azariah (Uzziah) provides a temporary period of stability for Judah, being the son of Amaziah, and preceding the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. This verse initiates Uzziah's lengthy account, an outlier compared to the many short, unstable reigns surrounding it. His rule begins following his father Amaziah's assassination in Lachish, making his accession notable after a regicidal event. Historically, this period roughly aligns with the 8th century BCE, a time of rising Assyrian power, though Uzziah's reign saw a significant re-establishment of Judahite strength before this threat became paramount.

2 Kings 15 2 Word analysis

• He: Refers to Azariah, also known as Uzziah. The discrepancy in names (Azariah in Kings, Uzziah in Chronicles and Isaiah) is common in Hebrew Bible. Both mean "Yahweh has helped" or "My strength is Yahweh," reinforcing the divine assistance he received, especially early in his reign. Scholars suggest "Azariah" (עֲזַרְיָה - 'Azaryah) meaning "Yahweh has helped" might be his birth name, while "Uzziah" (עֻזִּיָּהוּ - 'Uzziyyahu) meaning "My strength is Yahweh" could be a throne name or a variant common to him. He is the son of Amaziah.
• was sixteen years old: Indicates a young age for assuming kingship, but not unprecedented. Other kings like Josiah (8 years old) and Joash (7 years old) were younger. It suggests he likely had experienced advisors, possibly carried over from his father's reign, or a regent system early on, especially given his father's violent end. His youth at accession contrasts with the wisdom required for rule.
• when he became king: Signifies the formal process of royal succession. The Hebrew verb "מָלַךְ" (malakh) signifies 'to reign' or 'to become king.' This act solidified his place in the Davidic lineage as king of Judah.
• and he reigned: Continued use of "מָלַךְ" (malakh), denoting the duration of his rule.
• fifty-two years: An exceptionally long reign for a Judean king. Only Manasseh reigned longer (55 years). Such longevity often indicated divine favor or strength, though as 2 Kings 15:5 and 2 Chronicles 26 will reveal, Uzziah's long reign had a complicated end due to his pride and sin. The extended period suggests stability and effectiveness in the initial phase of his rule.
• in Jerusalem: The divinely appointed capital of Judah and the seat of the Davidic dynasty, housing the Temple. This emphasizes his legitimacy as the ruler of the Southern Kingdom, linked to God's covenant with David (2 Sam 7).
• And his mother's name was Jecoliah: The consistent inclusion of the mother's name in royal accounts (יְכָלְיָה - Yekolyah, "Yahweh is able") is a distinctive feature in the books of Kings for Judean monarchs. This highlights the queen mother's (Hebrew: גְּבִירָה - gevira) significant role in the Judean court, often serving as regent during a king's minority, holding political influence, or providing lineage legitimacy. The name itself reflects a theological conviction common in Israel.
• of Jerusalem: Indicates that Jecoliah was herself from Jerusalem, suggesting noble or prominent lineage within the capital city. This detail would reinforce Uzziah's local connection and roots within the elite of Judah. It differentiates her from foreign mothers like Naamah the Ammonitess (1 Ki 14:21).

Words-group Analysis

• "He was sixteen years old when he became king": This phrase highlights Uzziah's youthful accession to the throne, contrasting him with more mature kings or indicating a likely need for wise counsel from older advisors or his queen mother during the initial period of his reign.
• "and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem": This segment underscores the remarkable longevity and stability of Uzziah's rule, particularly in contrast to the rapid successions and short reigns characteristic of the Northern Kingdom during this era. "In Jerusalem" reaffirms the enduring significance of the Davidic covenant and Jerusalem as its central city. This extended reign suggests a period of relative peace and prosperity, as further elaborated in 2 Chronicles 26.
• "And his mother's name was Jecoliah of Jerusalem": This formulaic inclusion points to the importance of maternal lineage for the Judean kings. The Queen Mother (Gebirah) often played a vital role, including possibly regency for a young king, advising, or influencing policy. Her Jerusalemite origin suggests a deep connection to the capital's aristocracy, reinforcing Uzziah's legitimacy and his ties to the established Judean leadership structure.

2 Kings 15 2 Bonus section

• Double Name Azariah/Uzziah: The identity of this king is consistently referred to as "Azariah" in 2 Kings, but "Uzziah" in 2 Chronicles, Isaiah 6:1, Hosea 1:1, Amos 1:1, and Zechariah 14:5. Both names have similar meanings related to Yahweh's help or strength. It's not uncommon in the ancient Near East for a ruler to have more than one name, possibly a birth name and a throne name, or perhaps regional variants were in use. Biblical scholars generally agree they refer to the same individual. The use of "Uzziah" in prophetic books suggests that this name became more widely associated with him in later periods.
• Regency possibility: Given Uzziah's young age at ascension (16), especially after his father's assassination, it is plausible that his mother Jecoliah or a council of elders might have played a regency role, guiding his initial years until he reached full maturity in leadership. While not explicitly stated, the prominence given to the Queen Mother's identity supports this interpretation in some scholarly commentaries.
• Foreshadowing of Decline: Though this verse presents a formulaic and outwardly positive start to a long reign, the broader biblical narrative (especially 2 Kings 15:5 and 2 Chronicles 26) dramatically reveals that Uzziah's story ends with pride leading to leprosy, forcing him to live in isolation. This immediate follow-up to his long reign highlights that even extended periods of strength and prosperity are contingent upon faithful obedience to the Lord. His life serves as a cautionary tale within a king list often characterized by mixed, if not outright wicked, reigns.

2 Kings 15 2 Commentary

2 Kings 15:2 offers the standard introduction for a Judean king, setting the stage for Uzziah's extensive reign. While concise, each element carries weight. His youthful accession at sixteen (confirming a parallel account in 2 Ch 26:3) means he grew into his kingship, initially possibly under regency. His fifty-two year reign marks him as one of Judah's longest-serving monarchs, surpassed only by Manasseh. This prolonged period typically signifies stability and strength, an observation supported by the detailed account of his achievements in 2 Chronicles 26, where he is called Uzziah. It speaks to a divinely permitted extended rule. The mention of "Jerusalem" reinforces the unbroken lineage of Davidic kings reigning from the capital. The consistent inclusion of the mother's name, Jecoliah of Jerusalem, points to the culturally significant role of the Gebirah (Queen Mother) in the Judean court, potentially serving as an influential figure or a guarantor of legitimate succession, particularly for a king ascending at a young age. This formula provides crucial historical anchoring for biblical chronology and demonstrates the Judean record-keeping practices.