MPV Commentary

Azariah's Reign over Judah.

The throne of Judah remained vacant for about eleven years after Amaziah's death before Azariah, who was just four years old at the time, began his reign in the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam. A regency was appointed to oversee affairs during Azariah's minority.

Azariah's reign is characterized by its brief but significant description of his religious policy, which is typical of later kings. However, his reign was also marked by great activity and events, as recorded in 2 Chronicles 26:1-23. Despite his youth, Azariah became arrogant with power and presumptuously took on the roles of both king and priest, a practice common among heathen rulers. This led to severe punishment: Azariah was afflicted with leprosy, which effectively excluded him from society since it was considered a capital offense (Numbers 8:7). Meanwhile, his son Jotham, about fifteen years old at the time (compare 2 Kings 15:33), served as regent and managed the kingdom's affairs. Azariah had to live in isolation due to his condition (see 2 Kings 7:3). After a long reign, he died and was buried in the royal burial ground, although not in the traditional cemetery of "the city of David" (2 Chronicles 26:23).