Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah began to reign at sixteen and reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jecoliah of Jerusalem.

Azariah was a righteous king, doing what was right in the sight of the Lord, just as his father Amaziah had done. However, he failed to remove the high places where the people continued to sacrifice and burn incense. The Lord struck Azariah with leprosy, and he lived in isolation until his death.

Jotham, the king's son, was over the house, judging the people of the land. Jotham succeeded his father as king and reigned for fifty-six years in Jerusalem. During this time, Israel was in turmoil.

In Samaria, Zechariah son of Jeroboam reigned over Israel for six months. He did evil in the sight of the Lord, just like his fathers had done, not turning away from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had led Israel into. Zechariah's reign was cut short when Shallum son of Jabesh conspired against him and struck him down before the people.

Shallum reigned in Samaria for a month but was quickly overthrown by Menahem son of Gadi, who came from Tirzah to take control. Menahem attacked Tiphsah and everything in it, including its surrounding areas from Tirzah, because they refused to submit to him; he also ripped open all the women there who were pregnant.

Menahem paid a thousand talents of silver to Pul, the king of Assyria, to secure his support in maintaining control over the kingdom. Menahem's reign was marked by evil and failure to turn away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat that had led Israel astray.

After Menahem's death, Pekahiah son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria for two years. He did what was evil in the Lord's sight, never turning away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat that had led Israel astray. Pekah, a captain in his army, conspired against him and struck him down within the palace of the king's house.

Pekah reigned for twenty years over Israel, but he continued to lead the nation into sin by failing to turn away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat that had led Israel astray. During this time, Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria came and took Ijon, Abel-beth-maachah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, Galilee, and all the land of Naphtali, carrying them captive to Assyria.

In the twentieth year of Jotham's reign, Hoshea son of Elah plotted against Pekah and struck him down, taking his place as king. Meanwhile, in Jerusalem, Jotham son of Uzziah began to reign at twenty-five years old and reigned for sixteen years in Samaria, not Jerusalem.

Jotham did what was right in the sight of the Lord, following all the ways of his father Uzziah. Although he still allowed high places to be used for sacrifice and incense, Jotham also built the higher gate of the house of the Lord. His reign was marked by both righteousness and compromise.

As Jotham's reign came to an end, the Lord began to send against Judah Rezin king of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah. In those days, Judah was facing threats from all sides, and its future hung in the balance.