2 Kings 15 23

2 Kings 15:23 kjv

In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah Pekahiah the son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned two years.

2 Kings 15:23 nkjv

In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah, Pekahiah the son of Menahem became king over Israel in Samaria, and reigned two years.

2 Kings 15:23 niv

In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah, Pekahiah son of Menahem became king of Israel in Samaria, and he reigned two years.

2 Kings 15:23 esv

In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah, Pekahiah the son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and he reigned two years.

2 Kings 15:23 nlt

Pekahiah son of Menahem began to rule over Israel in the fiftieth year of King Uzziah's reign in Judah. He reigned in Samaria two years.

2 Kings 15 verses

2 Kings 15 23 Meaning

2 Kings 15:23 marks the beginning of the two-year reign of Pekahiah, son of Menahem, over the Northern Kingdom of Israel in Samaria. This period is synchronized with the fiftieth year of Azariah (also known as Uzziah) king of Judah. The verse succinctly conveys another instance of instability and rapid leadership change in Israel, contrasting sharply with Judah's concurrent long and relatively stable rule under Azariah, highlighting the consistent divine judgment upon Israel for its idolatry and disobedience.

2 Kings 15 23 Context

Chapter 15 of 2 Kings documents a period of intense political instability and moral decline in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, juxtaposed with the long and relatively stable reign of Azariah (Uzziah) in Judah. Prior to Pekahiah, the throne of Israel had seen three kings (Zechariah, Shallum, and Menahem) in quick succession, all of whom seized power through violent means. This constant upheaval directly contrasted with Judah's Davidic dynasty, whose kingship, though sometimes flawed, enjoyed divine promise and exhibited far greater continuity. The verse's reference to "Samaria" underlines its role as the center of Israel's apostasy, continuing the idolatrous practices established by Jeroboam son of Nebat. Historically, this period was just before the height of the Assyrian Empire's expansion under Tiglath-pileser III, whose increasing regional influence would soon destabilize Israel further, ultimately leading to its downfall.

2 Kings 15 23 Word analysis

• In the fiftieth year: This precise chronological notation, consistent throughout the book of Kings, anchors Israel's volatile history against the more stable, God-ordained dynastic sequence in Judah. It underscores Azariah's remarkably long and successful reign of 52 years, providing a stark contrast to Pekahiah's short tenure.
• Azariah king of Judah: (Hebrew: עֲזַרְיָהוּ, ’Azaryahu - "Yahweh has helped"). This name emphasizes reliance on God, fitting for a king under the Davidic covenant. He is also known as Uzziah (Hebrew: עֻזִּיָּה, ‘Uziyyah - "My strength is Yahweh"). His reign, though prosperous, ended with him being struck with leprosy for presumptuously offering incense in the temple, highlighting that even stability in Judah had its bounds when God's commands were violated.
• Pekahiah: (Hebrew: פְּקַחְיָה, Pekahyah - "Yahweh has opened (his eyes)" or "Yahweh has observed"). Ironically, despite a Yahwistic name, Pekahiah's actions are consistently described as evil in God's sight, perpetuating the apostasy of the Northern Kingdom. This highlights a superficial or nominal religious identification that contradicted their practices, a subtle polemic against Israel's idolatry alongside maintaining divine terminology.
• the son of Menahem: Pekahiah inherits the throne from his father Menahem, who himself was a brutal king known for violence and paying tribute to Assyria (2 Ki 15:16-20). This paternal link foreshadows a continuing pattern of wickedness and instability within the royal family, signifying a short, ill-fated reign. It reflects a perpetuation of Israel's deep-seated systemic spiritual sickness.
• began to reign over Israel: This phrase signals the official start of Pekahiah's rule, yet in the Northern Kingdom, such "beginnings" often signified violent seizure of power rather than legitimate, God-appointed succession. This continuous disruption reflects a breakdown of divine order due to unfaithfulness.
• in Samaria: (Hebrew: שֹׁמְרוֹן, Shomron) This was the capital city of the Northern Kingdom, established by Omri (1 Ki 16:24). It served as the central hub for Israel's state-sponsored idolatry (worshipping golden calves, Asherah poles) initiated by Jeroboam I. Samaria symbolizes the institutionalized apostasy against the true worship of Yahweh in Jerusalem. Its strategic location also made it a focal point for foreign incursions and subsequent judgment.
• and reigned two years: This very short duration is a strong indicator of Pekahiah's weakness, the pervasive internal strife, and the rapid collapse of any semblance of dynastic stability in Israel during this era. His brief reign serves as a stark testimony to divine judgment against the persistent wickedness of Israel's kings and its people, who "did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam." It directly contrasts with Azariah's extended reign.

2 Kings 15 23 Bonus section

• The chronic instability described in this verse (and indeed, throughout 2 Kings 15 for Israel) points to a profound theological issue: Israel rejected the divine blueprint for kingship (the Davidic covenant, leading to a stable dynasty) and opted for human-initiated, illegitimate kingship. This consistent deviation from God's pattern brought about divine judgment in the form of chaotic reigns and eventual destruction.
• While Pekahiah is just a short blip in the timeline, his very existence as a king and his swift removal serve as a microcosm of Israel's larger trajectory towards Assyrian conquest. Each short reign and coup weakened the nation, paving the way for the prophesied exile due to its unrepentant sin.
• The continued mention of "Samaria" as the capital in a time of intense instability emphasizes that the root of Israel's problem was not merely political succession but ingrained apostasy emanating from its spiritual center, designed in opposition to Jerusalem.

2 Kings 15 23 Commentary

2 Kings 15:23 captures a critical moment of decline for the Northern Kingdom. Pekahiah's two-year reign underscores the extreme political fragility and moral decay that gripped Israel. This constant shift in power, often through violent coups, starkly contrasts with Judah's relative stability under King Azariah, whose long rule provided continuity. Pekahiah, like his father and predecessors in Israel, "did what was evil in the sight of the LORD," continuing the idolatry of Jeroboam I. This pattern of unfaithfulness directly led to God's judgment manifested in constant internal strife, weakness, and vulnerability to external powers. The brevity and violent end of his rule exemplify the direct consequences of rejecting the covenant with Yahweh and His appointed Davidic kingship, showcasing the futility of leadership chosen apart from divine guidance.