2 Kings – Chapter 15

Old Testament38 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 15 of 2 Kings begins: "In the seven and twentieth year of Jeroboam, king of Israel, reigned Azarias, son of Amasias, king of Juda." The chapter centers on Zechariah, David and Abel. Across its 38 verses, two threads run through the text: God's kingdom and kingship and family and covenant relationships. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1In the seven and twentieth year of Jeroboam, king of Israel, reigned Azarias, son of Amasias, king of Juda.

2He was sixteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned two and fifty years in Jerusalem: the name of his mother was Jechelia, of Jerusalem.

3And he did that which was pleasing before the Lord, according to all that his father, Amasias, had done.

4But the high places he did not destroy, for the people sacrificed, and burnt incense in the high places.

5And the Lord struck the king, so that he was a leper unto the day of his death, and he dwelt in a free house apart: but Joatham, the king's son, governed the palace, and judged the people of the land.

6And the rest of the acts of Azarias, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the words of the days of the kings of Juda?

7And Azarias slept with his fathers: and they buried him with his ancestors in the city of David, and Joatham, his son, reigned in his stead.

8In the eight and thirtieth year of Azarias, king of Juda, reigned Zacharias, son of Jeroboam, over Israel, in Samaria, six months:

9And he did that which is evil before the Lord, as his fathers had done: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nabat, who made Israel to sin.

10And Sellum, the son of Jabes, conspired against him: and struck him publicly, and killed him, and reigned in his place.

11Now the rest of the acts of Zacharias, are they not written in the book of the words of the days of the kings of Israel?

12This was the word of the Lord, which he spoke to Jehu, saying: Thy children, to the fourth generation, shall sit upon the throne of Israel. And so it came to pass.

13Sellum, the son of Jabes, began to reign in the nine and thirtieth year of Azarias, king of Juda: and reigned one month in Samaria.

14And Manahem, the son of Gadi, went up from Thersa, and he came into Samaria, and struck Sellum, the son of Jabes, in Samaria, and slew him, and reigned in his stead.

15And the rest of the acts of Sellum, and his conspiracy which he made, are they not written in the book of the words of the days of the kings of Israel?

16Then Manahem destroyed Thapsa and all that were in it, and the borders thereof from Thersa, because they would not open to him: and he slew all the women thereof that were with child, and ripped them up.

17In the nine and thirtieth year of Azarias, king of Juda, reigned Manahem, son of Gadi, over Israel, ten years, in Samaria.

18And he did that which was evil before the Lord: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, the son of Nabat, who made Israel to sin, all his days.

19And Phul, king of the Assyrians, came into the land, and Manahem gave Phul a thousand talents of silver to aid him and to establish him in the kingdom.

20And Manahem laid a tax upon Israel, on all that were mighty and rich, to give the king of the Assyrians, each man fifty sicles of silver: so the king of the Assyrians turned back, and did not stay in the land.

21And the rest of the acts of Manahem, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the words of the days of the kings of Israel?

22And Manahem slept with his fathers: and Phaceia, his son, reigned in his stead.

23In the fiftieth year of Azarias, king of Juda, reigned Phaceia, the son of Manahem, over Israel, in Samaria, two years.

24And he did that which was evil before the Lord: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, the son of Nabat, who made Israel to sin.

25And Phacee the son of Romelia, his captain, conspired against him, and smote him in Samaria, in the tower of the king's house, near Argob, and near Arie, and with him fifty men of the sons of the Galaadites, and he slew him, and reigned in his stead.

26And the rest of the acts of Phaceia, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the words of the days of the kings of Israel?

27In the two and fiftieth year of Azarias, king of Juda, reigned Phacee, the son of Romelia, over Israel, in Samaria, twenty years.

28And he did that which was evil before the Lord: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, the son of Nabat, who made Israel to sin.

29In the days of Phacee, king of Israel, came Theglathphalasar, king of Assyria, and took Aion, and Abel Domum Maacha, and Janoe, and Cedes, and Asor, and Galaad, and Galilee, and all the land of Nephthali: and carried them captives into Assyria.

30Now Osee, son of Ela, conspired, and formed a plot against Phacee, the son of Romelia, and struck him, and slew him: and reigned in his stead in the twentieth year of Joatham, the son of Ozias.

31But the rest of the acts of Phacee, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the words of the days of the kings of Israel?

32In the second year of Phacee, the son of Romelia king of Israel, reigned Joatham, son of Ozias, king of Juda.

33He was five and twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: the name of his mother was Jerusa, the daughter of Sadoc.

34And he did that which was right before the Lord: according to all that his father Ozias had done, so did he.

35But the high places he took not away: the people still sacrificed, and burnt incense in the high places: he built the highest gate of the house of the Lord.

36But the rest of the acts of Joatham, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the words of the days of the kings of Juda?

37In those days the Lord began to send into Juda, Rasin king of Syria, and Phacee the son of Romelia.

38And Joatham slept with his fathers, and was buried with them in the city of David, his father; and Achaz, his son, reigned in his stead.

Important Verses in 2 Kings 15

In the seven and twentieth year of Jeroboam, king of Israel, reigned Azarias, son of Amasias, king of Juda.

2 Kings 15:1

And the Lord struck the king, so that he was a leper unto the day of his death, and he dwelt in a free house apart: but Joatham, the king's son, governed the palace, and judged the people of the land.

2 Kings 15:5

And he did that which is evil before the Lord, as his fathers had done: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nabat, who made Israel to sin.

2 Kings 15:9

This was the word of the Lord, which he spoke to Jehu, saying: Thy children, to the fourth generation, shall sit upon the throne of Israel. And so it came to pass.

2 Kings 15:12

Historical Context

2 Kings belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for the exiles in Babylon, called to repentance and hope. Chapter 15 of 25 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a genealogical record linking earlier promises to later generations with 38 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Zechariah, David, Abel and Hosea appear at the center of the events recorded here. The chapter begins: "In the seven and twentieth year of Jeroboam, king of Israel, reigned Azarias, son of Amasias, king of Juda." The chapter ends with: "And Joatham slept with his fathers, and was buried with them in the city of David, his father; and Achaz, his son,…" In terms of historical background, Second Kings continues from Elijah's fiery departure and Elisha's ministry to the destruction of both kingdoms: Israel fell to Assyria in 722 BC and Judah to Babylon in 587 BC, when the Temple was burned. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of 2 Kings around Events from about 850 to 560 BC; final form during the Babylonian exile.

Who Wrote It

Unknown; compiled by prophetic circles, traditionally linked to Jeremiah

When It Was Written

Events from about 850 to 560 BC; final form during the Babylonian exile

Catholic Commentary

This chapter traces lines of descent that connect earlier promises to later figures in salvation history. A pivotal line is verse 1: "In the seven and twentieth year of Jeroboam, king of Israel, reigned Azarias, son of Amasias, king of Juda." The passage repeatedly touches on God's kingdom and kingship.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 1965). Here, the prophets prepared for Christ and called Israel to repentance (CIC 64, 522). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize God's kingdom and kingship as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.

People in This Chapter

Zechariah2 mentionsDavid2 mentionsAbel1 mentionHosea1 mention

Reflection for Today

2 Kings Chapter 15, containing 38 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation, offers a distinct passage for prayer and meditation.

The Magisterium teaches that every biblical passage must be read in light of Christ, the center of Scripture (CIC 74). Here the emphasis falls on living the Gospel in daily work, which shapes how the Church understands prophets, kings, and exile.

As you continue through 2 Kings, carry this chapter's lesson into your family, parish, and work. Catholic faith is always ecclesial—God speaks to us as members of Christ's Body, not as isolated individuals.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 2 Kings Chapter 15 about?

2 Kings 15 contains 38 verses. It opens with "In the seven and twentieth year of Jeroboam, king of Israel, reigned Azarias, son of Amasias, king of Juda." and closes with "And Joatham slept with his fathers, and was buried with them in the city of David, his father; and Achaz, his son,…". The book as a whole is historical narrative with prophetic accounts.

What is a key verse in 2 Kings 15?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "In the seven and twentieth year of Jeroboam, king of Israel, reigned Azarias, son of Amasias, king of Juda." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in 2 Kings Chapter 15?

This chapter mentions Zechariah, David, Abel, Hosea.

Who wrote 2 Kings and when?

Unknown; compiled by prophetic circles, traditionally linked to Jeremiah. Events from about 850 to 560 BC; final form during the Babylonian exile.

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