Question 1

Who are Azariah (Uzziah) and Jotham, and what kind of kings were they?

Accepted Answer

Azariah, also called Uzziah, became king of Judah when he was sixteen and reigned a long time. The passage says he did what was right in the Lord’s sight, like his father, but he did not remove the high places, so the people kept offering sacrifices there. Because of his pride and stepping into a role that belonged to the priests, God struck him with leprosy, and he lived in a separate house while his son Jotham governed. Jotham later became king and also did what was right, yet he too left the high places. They show partial obedience, but not full reform.

Question 2

Why did God strike Azariah with leprosy and make him live apart?

Accepted Answer

Azariah’s leprosy was not random suffering. The wider story shows that he overstepped the limits God had set, taking priestly work into his own hands by burning incense when he should not have. God answered this pride with leprosy, a disease that made him unclean and forced him to live in a separate house. His son Jotham then handled the rule of the people. This shows that even a generally good king is not free to ignore God’s order, and that high position does not excuse disobedience or pride.

Question 3

What are the “high places,” and why is it a problem they were not removed?

Accepted Answer

The “high places” were local worship sites, often on hills, where people offered sacrifices and burned incense. Some people mixed worship of the true God with practices taken from the nations around them. God had chosen a central place for proper worship and did not want His people to copy pagan ways. When the passage says Azariah and Jotham did right but did not remove the high places, it means they allowed ongoing worship that did not follow God’s clear pattern. It shows half-hearted reform and a kind of tolerance of wrong worship.

Question 4

Why are there so many murders and short reigns among Israel’s kings here?

Accepted Answer

In this chapter, several kings of Israel are killed by men who then take the throne. Zachariah is killed by Shallum, who is then killed by Menahem. Later Pekah kills Pekahiah, and finally Hoshea kills Pekah. This pattern of plots, violence, and short reigns shows a kingdom in deep trouble. The text links this to their ongoing sins, especially following the pattern started by Jeroboam with false worship. When leaders and people keep turning from God, He allows their rule to become unstable, so that power changes hands through bloodshed instead of peace.

Question 5

What does the violence of Menahem at Tiphsah show about Israel at this time?

Accepted Answer

Menahem’s attack on Tiphsah is described in very harsh terms. Because the city did not open its gates to him, he destroyed it and even ripped up pregnant women. This is meant to shock the reader and show how hard and cruel the rulers had become. It paints a picture of a king who will do anything to keep and show his power, with no respect for life. The story fits the wider pattern of this chapter, where Israel’s kings walk in evil, and it helps explain why God allows foreign powers and judgment to come against them.

Question 6

Why did Menahem pay Pul, king of Assyria, and what does that mean for Israel?

Accepted Answer

When Pul, king of Assyria, came against the land, Menahem chose to pay him a huge amount of silver so that Pul would support his rule instead of removing him. Menahem got this money by taxing the wealthy men of Israel. This shows how weak Israel had become. Rather than trusting God and turning from sin, the king leaned on a strong foreign ruler for safety. It marks a turning point where Israel starts to fall under Assyria’s control, leading later to loss of land and people being carried away.

Question 7

What is the significance of Tiglath-pileser taking cities and people to Assyria?

Accepted Answer

During Pekah’s reign, Tiglath-pileser of Assyria captured many towns and regions in Israel, including parts of Galilee and the land of Naphtali, and carried people away to Assyria. This is more than just a military loss. It is a sign that God is allowing a foreign nation to cut Israel down because of long-standing sin and refusal to turn from false worship. Land that God had once given to His people is now slipping from their hands. It is an early step toward the full downfall of the northern kingdom.

Question 8

How does this passage show that God keeps His word to Jehu’s family?

Accepted Answer

The passage points out that Zachariah’s short reign fulfills what God had said to Jehu, that his sons would sit on Israel’s throne to the fourth generation. Zachariah is that fourth generation. Even though the kings are doing evil and the kingdom is very unstable, God’s earlier word still comes true exactly. Then Jehu’s line ends with Zachariah’s death. This shows that God’s promises of blessing and His warnings of judgment both stand. He does not forget what He has said, even across many years and many kings.

Question 9

What does this chapter teach about God’s character in the middle of chaos?

Accepted Answer

In the middle of all the plots, murders, and foreign attacks, this chapter shows that God is not absent. He is patient, allowing many chances to turn back, yet He is also just. He strikes Azariah with leprosy for pride, lets violent kings rise who match the nation’s sins, and allows Assyria to chip away at Israel’s land. At the same time, He keeps His word about Jehu’s sons. So we see a God who is steady, who takes sin seriously, and whose promises stand even when people are unfaithful.

Question 10

How can believers today apply the message of this passage to their lives?

Accepted Answer

This passage invites self-check more than quick judgment on ancient kings. Azariah and Jotham show how easy it is to leave certain sins or patterns untouched, like the high places. The violent kings of Israel show what happens when pride, idolatry, and injustice are allowed to grow. For believers today, this calls for humble obedience, respect for the roles God has set, and a willingness to remove “high places” in our own lives, where we cling to old habits or idols. It also reminds us that God sees both public and hidden actions and that His word can be trusted.

2 Kings 15:1

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

Azariah Reigns in Judah

Zechariah Reigns in Israel

Shallum Reigns in Israel

Menahem Reigns in Israel

Pekahiah Reigns in Israel

Pekah Reigns in Israel

Jotham Reigns in Judah

Azariah Reigns in Judah

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2 Kings 15:1

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

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Azariah Reigns in Judah

Zechariah Reigns in Israel

Shallum Reigns in Israel

Menahem Reigns in Israel

Pekahiah Reigns in Israel

Pekah Reigns in Israel

Jotham Reigns in Judah

Azariah Reigns in Judah

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