2 Kings 14:23-29
14:23 a The fifteenth year of King Amaziah’s reign in Judah marks the beginning of Jeroboam II’s independent reign (782 BC). His reign of forty-one years includes the earlier co-regency with his father (793–782 BC).14:24 b Jeroboam II perpetuated the apostate religion instituted by Jeroboam I (1 Kgs 12:28-33 c) that led to Israel’s demise (2 Kgs 17:21-23 d; 1 Kgs 14:16 e).
14:25 f Israel and Judah apparently lived in harmony at this time so that both kingdoms prospered and recovered nearly all the territory that Solomon had held (see 2 Chr 26:6-15 g).
• Lebo-hamath, known from Egyptian and Assyrian inscriptions, lay some forty-five miles north of Damascus in the Beqa‘ Valley. The extent of Jeroboam’s conquests testifies to the northern kingdom’s military power. Israel’s victories against the Arameans were possible because Aram had been weakened by earlier conquests of Adad-nirari III of Assyria.
• Jonah is the famous prophet who pronounced the doom of Nineveh but was disappointed when God spared its repentant people (Jon 3:3–4:3 h).
Summary for 2Kgs 14:26-28: 14:26-28 i The Lord ... used Jeroboam II: God saw his people’s helplessness and remained faithful to the covenant established with Israel’s patriarchs (13:23 j).
• everything he did: The narrator hints at the extent of Jeroboam’s God-given power and prosperity. The Samaria ostraca also indicate the prosperity of the era. The prophecies of Hosea and Amos show that despite the prosperity during Jeroboam’s reign, the Israelites refused to turn to the Lord.
2 Kings 15:1-7
Summary for 2Kgs 15:1-3: 15:1-3 k The name Uzziah means Yahweh is my strength.• fifty-two years: The length of Uzziah’s reign (792–740 BC) reflects changed conditions in the early 700s BC. Assyria was in decline and relations between Israel and Judah were cordial. Uzziah’s spiritual convictions earned God’s blessing so that Judah enjoyed its greatest prosperity since the days of Solomon (2 Chr 26:9-10 l).
15:4 m In spite of his good spiritual evaluation, Uzziah continued to allow worship at the pagan shrines (14:4 n).
15:5 o Because Uzziah usurped the prerogatives of the priesthood (2 Chr 26:16-21 p), the Lord struck the king with leprosy. His son Jotham became co-regent (about 750 BC). While Uzziah’s isolation kept him from public duties, he may have continued to exercise political power. King Tiglath-pileser III of Assyria (744–727 BC), in connection with his first western campaign (744–743 BC), mentioned an opponent named Azariau whom many scholars understand as Uzziah.
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