In this chapter, I. The history of two of the kings of Judah is briefly recorded:--1. Of Azariah, or Uzziah, ver. 1-7. 2. Of Jotham his son, ver. 32-38. II. The history of many of the kings of Israel that reigned at the same time is given us in short, five in succession, all of whom, except one, went down slain to the pit, and their murders were their successors. 1. Zachariah, the last of the house of Jehu, reigned six months, and then was slain and succeeded by Shallum, ver. 8-12. 2. Shallum reigned one month, and then was slain and succeeded by Menahem, ver. 13-15. 3. Menahem reigned ten years, or tyrannised rather, such were his barbarous cruelties (ver. 16) and unreasonable exactions (ver. 20), and then died in his bed, and left his son to succeed him first, and then suffer for him, ver. 16-22. 4. Pekahiah reigned two years, and then was slain and succeeded by Pekah, ver. 23-26. 5. Pekah reigned twenty years, and then was slain and succeeded by Hoshea, the last of all the kings of Israel (ver. 27-31) for things were now working and hastening apace towards the final destruction of that kingdom.
The Reign of Azariah. (b. c. 798.)