In the nine and thirtieth year of Azariah king of Judah began Menahem the son of Gadi to reign over Israel, and reigned ten years in Samaria.

2 KINGS 15:17KJV
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2 Kings 15:17 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 15:17 mean?

2 Kings 15:17 reports that Menahem, the son of Gadi, began his reign as king over Israel in the thirty-ninth year of Azariah, king of Judah, and that Menahem ruled for ten years from the city of Samaria. This verse marks the beginning of Menahem’s rule and situates it in relation to the reign of Azariah in Judah.

The book of 2 Kings is a historical account, and here the writer is providing a chronological marker by linking the start of Menahem’s kingship in Israel to the ongoing reign of Azariah (also known as Uzziah) in Judah. The verse also notes that Menahem’s rule was centered in Samaria, which was the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel at this time.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 15:17

  • "Menahem" (מְנַחֵם, menaḥem) means "comforter." The name itself does not affect the historical detail, but it is notable that the Bible often records the meanings of names, which sometimes reflect the character or hopes for the person.
  • "Samaria" (שֹׁמְרוֹן, Shomron) was the capital city of Israel. Mentioning Samaria highlights the political division between Israel (north) and Judah (south), as well as the central place of Samaria in Israel’s history.

Why 2 Kings 15:17 matters

  • This verse helps readers track the overlapping reigns of Israel’s and Judah’s kings, which can otherwise be confusing due to the two separate kingdoms and their different timelines.
  • By naming both Azariah and Menahem, the verse connects the histories of Judah and Israel, showing how the events in one kingdom relate to those in the other.
  • The mention of Samaria as the seat of Menahem’s rule reminds readers of the political and religious significance of this city in the northern kingdom’s story.

Where else these words appear

“Gadi” Hebrew H1424 · used in 2 verses

  • 2 Kings 15:14 For Menahem the son of Gadi went up from Tirzah, and came to Samaria, and smote Shallum the son of Jabesh in Samaria, and slew him, and reigned in his stead.

“Menahem” Hebrew H4505 · used in 8 verses

  • 2 Kings 15:14 For Menahem the son of Gadi went up from Tirzah, and came to Samaria, and smote Shallum the son of Jabesh in Samaria, and slew him, and reigned in his stead.
  • 2 Kings 15:19 And Pul the king of Assyria came against the land: and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand.
  • 2 Kings 15:21 And the rest of the acts of Menahem, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

“Azariah” Hebrew H5838 · used in 44 verses

  • 1 Kings 4:2 And these were the princes which he had; Azariah the son of Zadok the priest,
  • 1 Chronicles 6:10 And Johanan begat Azariah,(he it is that executed the priest's office in the temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem:)
  • 2 Chronicles 31:10 And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.

“nine” Hebrew H8672 · used in 57 verses

  • Genesis 5:5 And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.
  • Numbers 34:13 And Moses commanded the children of Israel, saying, This is the land which ye shall inherit by lot, which the LORD commanded to give unto the nine tribes, and to the half tribe:
  • 2 Kings 25:8 And in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month, which is the nineteenth year of king Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, unto Jerusalem: