Question 1

What does 2 Kings 15:13 mean?

Accepted Answer

2 Kings 15:13 reports that Shallum, the son of Jabesh, became king in Samaria during the thirty-ninth year of Uzziah, king of Judah, but his reign lasted only a full month. The verse highlights the extremely short and unstable rule of Shallum over Israel. The book of 2 Kings is giving a historical account of Israel’s kings. This verse notes the timing of Shallum’s rise to power, linking it to the reign of Uzziah in Judah, and points out that Shallum’s time as king was unusually brief. The setting is the northern kingdom of Israel, with Samaria as its capital, during a period marked by frequent changes in leadership and political turmoil.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 15:13

Accepted Answer

שַׁלּוּם (Shallum): This is the name of the new king, meaning "retribution" or "recompense." The name itself does not carry special meaning in this context, but it identifies the individual whose brief reign is being described. מָלַךְ (malakh, “reign”): This verb is used for beginning to rule as king. Its use here emphasizes the official start of Shallum’s rule, even though it was short-lived. שָׁלוֹם (yom, “full”): The word translated as “full” here literally means "day," but in this context, it is used to indicate a complete month, not just part of one. This stresses how short Shallum’s reign was—just one whole month. שֹׁמְרוֹן (Shomron, “Samaria”): The mention of Samaria as the location of Shallum’s reign roots the event in the northern kingdom’s capital, underlining the political center of Israel at that time.

Question 3

Why 2 Kings 15:13 matters

Accepted Answer

This verse clears up that Shallum’s reign was not only short but also officially recognized, even if it lasted only a month, which shows the instability in Israel’s monarchy at the time. By tying Shallum’s reign to the thirty-ninth year of Uzziah of Judah, the verse helps readers synchronize the histories of the northern and southern kingdoms, showing how events in one affected the other. The mention of Samaria as the seat of power highlights the division between Israel and Judah and the ongoing political struggles in the northern kingdom.

2 Kings 15:13 (KJV)