The two kingdoms, Judah and Israel, are ushered into an era of instability, recurrent political assassinations, and the expansion of the Assyrian empire. Azariah, king of Judah, does what is right in the eyes of God. However, he is stricken with leprosy-and so his son, Jotham, takes charge of the kingdom’s affairs.
Zechariah, son of Jeroboam II, rules Israel for only six months before he is killed. His assassin, Shallum, son of Jabesh, usurps the throne but is also quickly assassinated-by Menahem, son of Gadi, who now sits on the throne. Menachem offers the invading Assyrians a large sum of money to appease them and receive their protection. Menahem’s son, Pekahiah, becomes king when Menachme dies. However, Pekah, son of Remaliah, kills Pehakiah and takes the throne. The constant calamities afflicting the kings of Israel stem from their insatiable lust for honor and power. They are consistently preoccupied with their destructive schemes and dreams of glory-bringing darkness and death upon the Kingdom of Israel.
“Came Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abelbethmaachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria” (2 Kings 15:29)
and carried them captive to Assyria” (2 Kings 15:29)
Our most beautiful traits are surely noticed by others; modesty means not needing to show them off.
