2 Kings 15:1-22
Azariah, or Uzziah, about whom 2 Chronicles 26 gives much more detailed information, finished sadly after a reign of 52 years. His course had commenced well. It had been like this before with his father and grandfather. Let us remember that a good start in the Christian life does not guarantee us a happy life to the end of our course. Let us never rely on our past or present faithfulness, but on the Lord, who alone is able to keep us from falling (Judges 1:24).
During this long life of Azariah, Zachariah, the fourth and last descendant of Jehu, then Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah and Pekah occupy, each in his turn, the throne of Israel. "He did that which was evil . . . He did not turn away" is the sad refrain which sums up these successive reigns. It matters little how much the history of the world has recorded about them; what counts about a man’s whole life, including mine and yours, is the divine assessment. "They have set up kings, but not by me" (Hosea 8:4). It is solemn to see in this final period of the history of the kingdom of Israel how the LORD, wearied by so much unfaithfulness, leaves His people to themselves (Hosea 4:17).