2 Kings 15

Pekahiah King of Israel (15:23-26)

23-26 Pekahiah reigned two years and then was assassinated by Pekah, one of his chief officers. Pekah then became king.

Pekah King of Israel (15:27-31)

27-31 During Pekah’s reign, Tiglath-Pileser (or Pul), the king of Assyria, captured large parts of northern Israel and deported the inhabitants to Assyria (verse 29). This was the beginning of the final punishment God had said He would bring upon the Israelites for breaking His covenant commandments (Leviticus 26:33,38-39).

Then Hoshea, who was to be Israel’s last king (2 Kings 17:1-6), conspired against Pekah and assassinated him (verse 30). It is likely that Hoshea represented a proAssyrian faction within Israel, and that by overthrowing Pekah he was able to delay Israel’s ultimate destruction for the duration of his reign.⁵⁷

Jotham King of Judah (15:32-38)

(2 Chronicles 27:1-9)

32-38 Jotham, the son of Uzziah (Azariah), was one of Judah’s better kings; he had begun to take responsibility early because of his father’s leprosy (2 Kings 15:5). According to 2 Chronicles 27:3-5, he engaged in a number of building projects; he also conquered the Ammonites and forced them to pay heavy tribute. Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the LORD (2 Chronicles 27:6).

In verse 37, the writer mentions that during Jotham’s reign, the Lord began to send the kings of Aram and Israel against Judah. This hostility from the north is discussed further in the next chapter.