2 Kings 15:7 kjv
So Azariah slept with his fathers; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.
2 Kings 15:7 nkjv
So Azariah rested with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the City of David. Then Jotham his son reigned in his place.
2 Kings 15:7 niv
Azariah rested with his ancestors and was buried near them in the City of David. And Jotham his son succeeded him as king.
2 Kings 15:7 esv
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.
2 Kings 15:7 nlt
When Uzziah died, he was buried with his ancestors in the City of David. And his son Jotham became the next king.
2 Kings 15 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Kgs 15:5 | And the LORD struck the king, so that he was a leper... Jotham the king’s son was over the household... | Uzziah's leprosy and regency |
| 2 Chr 26:16-21 | But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up... went into the temple to burn incense... leper until the day of his death. | Uzziah's pride and divine judgment |
| 2 Chr 26:23 | So Uzziah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the field of burial which belonged to the kings, for they said, “He is a leper.” | Uzziah's distinct burial place due to leprosy |
| 1 Kgs 2:10 | Then David slept with his fathers and was buried in the City of David. | Standard burial phrase and location for kings |
| 1 Kgs 11:43 | And Solomon slept with his fathers and was buried in the City of David. | Example of continuity of royal burial |
| 2 Sam 7:12 | When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you. | God's promise of succession for David's line |
| Job 14:10 | But man dies and is laid low... | Universal mortality |
| Ecc 9:5 | For the living know that they will die... | Acknowledgment of human mortality |
| Isa 6:1 | In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne. | Prophetic context of Uzziah's death |
| Jer 22:19 | He shall be buried with the burial of a donkey... | Contrast: unceremonious death for a wicked king |
| Eze 32:20-22 | They shall lie among the uncircumcised, with those who are slain by the sword... | Contrast: unholy burial in exile/defeat |
| Acts 13:36 | For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep... | "Sleep" as euphemism for death |
| Psa 49:10-11 | For he sees that even the wise die... and leave their wealth to others. Their inward thought is that their houses and their dwelling places will endure... | Reminder of mortality and human impermanence |
| Heb 9:27 | And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment. | Inevitable end for all humans |
| Psa 90:3 | You return man to dust and say, "Return, O children of man!" | Divine sovereignty over life and death |
| Gen 25:8 | Abraham breathed his last and died... and was gathered to his people. | Ancient custom of joining ancestors in death |
| 1 Chr 3:10-12 | Solomon's son was Rehoboam... Azariah his son... | Genealogical context of Judahite kings |
| Isa 14:18 | All the kings of the nations lie in glory, each in his own tomb. | Ideal burial for a king |
| Phil 1:21 | For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. | Christian perspective on death (sleep/gain) |
| 1 Cor 15:51-52 | We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed... | Theological context of "sleep" and resurrection |
2 Kings 15 verses
2 Kings 15 7 Meaning
This verse formally concludes the long reign of King Azariah, also known as Uzziah, of Judah. It states that he died ("slept with his fathers"), was interred in the traditional royal burial grounds within Jerusalem ("the City of David"), and was succeeded by his son, Jotham, in an orderly transfer of power. While observing the conventional royal transition, the chronicler's account subtly reveals the particularity of his burial due to his leprosy, highlighting the consequences of his actions.
2 Kings 15 7 Context
2 Kings chapter 15 records the often-turbulent reigns of multiple kings in both Israel and Judah, characterized by political instability, idolatry, and cycles of divine judgment. Verse 7 specifically concludes the long and historically significant reign of Azariah, also known as Uzziah, who ruled Judah for 52 years (2 Kgs 15:2). The broader context, especially in 2 Kings 15:5 and the parallel account in 2 Chronicles 26, highlights that Azariah had been afflicted with leprosy for many years due to his unauthorized attempt to offer incense in the temple. This forced him into isolation, and his son Jotham had already been serving as regent, co-ruling for some time before his father's death. Thus, this verse formally marks the end of Azariah's kingship and the complete transition of power to Jotham, ensuring continuity of the Davidic dynasty in Jerusalem, the City of David, the customary royal burial ground.
2 Kings 15 7 Word analysis
- So: This transitional word indicates the culmination and concluding action after the previously described life and reign of Azariah (Uzziah).
- Azariah: This is an alternative name for Uzziah, the ninth king of Judah. The Bible sometimes uses both names for the same individual (cf. 2 Chr 26:1). Uzziah's reign was remarkably long (52 years), initially marked by great prosperity and military success, but ultimately tarnished by his pride and subsequent leprosy.
- slept with his fathers: This is a widely used biblical euphemism for death, particularly for kings. (Hebrew: shakháv ‘im-’avotáiv). It signifies a natural, peaceful, or at least customary end to life, rather than a violent one. It also highlights continuity of lineage, implying that the deceased joins their ancestors in the afterlife or in the family tomb, representing a connection to their heritage and resting place.
- and they buried him: This refers to the traditional and respectful funeral rites performed for a deceased king. Burial was a vital practice in ancient Israel, signifying proper honor for the dead and providing a distinct resting place.
- with his fathers: Reiterates the familial connection in death and burial. It indicates that his burial place was aligned with his ancestral lineage, specifically within the royal Davidic line.
- in the City of David: This refers to the royal necropolis, the traditional burial ground for many kings of Judah, located in Jerusalem (Hebrew: Ir David). It emphasizes his status as a legitimate king of the Davidic line. However, it's crucial to note the parallel account in 2 Chronicles 26:23, which states he was buried "in the field of burial which belonged to the kings, for they said, 'He is a leper.'" This indicates a slight deviation from the typical royal tomb within the City of David, meaning he was buried in proximity to the royal tombs, but not within them due to his ritual impurity from leprosy. This subtle distinction underscores that even in death, the consequences of his transgression were observed.
- and Jotham his son: Identifies the direct heir to the throne. Jotham had already been regent, co-reigning due to Azariah's illness.
- reigned in his place: This is a standard biblical formula signifying an orderly and legitimate transfer of kingship (Hebrew: vayyimlokh takhtáv). It underlines the stability of the Davidic covenant and the monarchical succession in Judah, which stood in contrast to the frequent coups and assassinations often seen in the northern kingdom of Israel.
2 Kings 15 7 Bonus section
The story of Uzziah (Azariah) culminating in this verse offers profound theological insights. His long reign was initially a testament to divine blessing upon obedience, yet his eventual downfall due to pride in violating priestly duties serves as a solemn warning against spiritual presumption. This highlights that while God blesses obedience, He also justly punishes disobedience, regardless of position or past faithfulness. The biblical phrase "slept with his fathers" carries a sense of generational continuity and connection to a lineage, even if the individual's life had unique circumstances. Moreover, Uzziah's death is marked in one of the most significant prophetic accounts: Isaiah's call (Isa 6:1), connecting this historical moment to a pivotal prophetic ministry, showing how human history is intertwined with God's redemptive plan. The consistency of succession in Judah (e.g., Azariah to Jotham) contrasts sharply with the political chaos and frequent regicides in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, highlighting God's faithfulness to His covenant with David concerning an unbroken royal line.
2 Kings 15 7 Commentary
2 Kings 15:7 formally records the demise of King Azariah (Uzziah) and the orderly succession of his son Jotham. The phrase "slept with his fathers" is a common euphemism indicating a natural end to a monarch's life and underscores their ancestral continuity. The mention of his burial "in the City of David" confirms his royal status and honorable interment within Jerusalem, the capital of the Davidic dynasty. However, the unique circumstance of Azariah's leprosy, highlighted more explicitly in the parallel passage of 2 Chronicles 26:23, implies a specific section of the royal burial ground or an adjoining field was designated for him due to his ritual uncleanness. This nuance serves as a powerful reminder that even royalty faced the consequences of their disobedience before God. Despite the personal tragedy of Uzziah's pride and subsequent affliction, the transition to Jotham ("reigned in his place") illustrates the enduring stability of the Davidic covenant and the continuous line of kings promised to David.