Bible Commentaries

In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign.

Began Azariah … to reign, — i.e., To reign alone, after the death of his father, with whom he had reigned twelve or thirteen years before: or else there must be granted an interregnum, a vacancy in the royal seat of Judah, for so many years.

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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.

And he reigned two and fifty years. — He reigned still, though a leper for his curiosity and insolency; the disease of his forehead did not remove his crown. So, if we be once a royal generation, our leprosies may deform us, they shall not dethrone us.

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And he did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done;

According to all that his father Amaziah had done. — This is no great commendation: for neither of them did so well at last as at first, but apostatised.

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Save that the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places.

The high places were not removed. — No, not in his best times. This, if it did not loose, yet it lessened his crown of glory.

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And the LORD smote the king, so that he was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house. And Jotham the king’s son [was] over the house, judging the people of the land.

And the Lord smote the king. — For his arrogancy and impudency in invading the priest’s office; God spat in his face, that he might be ashamed and humbled, and that others might be warned.

And Jotham the king’s son was over the house, … — He did not thrust out his father: but ruled all as his substitute. This was some comfort to the diseased king.

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And 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?

Now the rest of the acts of Azariah. — Called also Uzziah.

Are they not written? — Written they were also by the prophet Isaiah. 2 Chronicles 26:22 Of the earthquake in this king’s days, see Amos 1:1 Zechariah 14:5 .

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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.

So Azariah slept, … — When this king died, the Philistines rejoiced, because "the rod of him that smote them was broken." But "out of the serpent’s root came forth a cockatrice" - Hezekiah - "and his fruit was a fiery, flying serpent" (Isaiah 14:29 , with 2 Chronicles 26:6-7 ). He stung them worse than his grandfather had done.

And they buried him, … — In some by-corner of the king’s burial place, "for they said, He is a leper." 2 Chronicles 26:23

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In the thirty and eighth year of Azariah king of Judah did Zachariah the son of Jeroboam reign over Israel in Samaria six months.

Six months. — So soon God despatched him out of the way, and with him the whole house of Jehu, for their great wickedness.

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