In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah Pekahiah the son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned two years.

2 KINGS 15:23KJV
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2 Kings 15:23 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 15:23 mean?

2 Kings 15:23 records that in the fiftieth year of Azariah’s reign as king of Judah, Pekahiah, the son of Menahem, began to rule over Israel from Samaria, and his reign lasted two years. This verse marks a transition of leadership in the northern kingdom of Israel and situates it within the timeline of Judah’s king.

The book of 2 Kings is a historical account, and this verse is part of a series that carefully tracks the rulers of both Israel and Judah. The writer is documenting the succession of kings, showing how the reign of Pekahiah in Israel aligns with the long reign of Azariah (also called Uzziah) in Judah. The verse sets the stage for the events that follow in Israel’s history by introducing Pekahiah’s brief rule.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 15:23

  • "fiftieth" (חֲמִשִּׁים, ḥămīššîm) and "year" (שָׁנָה, šānāh): These words together emphasize the exact timing of Pekahiah’s rise to power, showing the careful chronological tracking in the narrative.
  • "Azariah" (עֲזַרְיָה, ʿAzaryāh): Naming Azariah as king of Judah helps anchor the timeline, since he had a notably long reign, making him a reference point for dating events in Israel.
  • "Pekahiah" (פְּקַחְיָה, Pəqaḥyāh) and "son" (בֵּן, bēn) "Menahem" (מְנַחֵם, Menaḥēm): These names identify the new king of Israel and his lineage, which is important for understanding the dynastic changes and the instability in Israel at this time.
  • "reign" (מָלַךְ, mālaḵ): This verb signals the official start of Pekahiah’s rule, a key transition point in the narrative.

Why 2 Kings 15:23 matters

  • This verse helps clear up the often confusing overlap between the kings of Israel and Judah by giving a precise chronological marker.
  • The mention of Samaria as the seat of Israel’s king highlights the divided state of God’s people at this time, with two separate kingdoms and capitals.
  • By noting Pekahiah’s short two-year reign, the verse hints at the political instability and frequent changes in leadership that characterized Israel’s final decades.

Where else these words appear

“Pekahiah” Hebrew H6494 · used in 3 verses

  • 2 Kings 15:22 And Menahem slept with his fathers; and Pekahiah his son reigned in his stead.
  • 2 Kings 15:26 And the rest of the acts of Pekahiah, and all that he did, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.

“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 15:17 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 15:20 And Menahem exacted the money of Israel, even of all the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and stayed not there in the land.

“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.

“Samaria” Hebrew H8111 · used in 101 verses

  • 1 Kings 13:32 For the saying which he cried by the word of the LORD against the altar in Bethel, and against all the houses of the high places which are in the cities of Samaria, shall surely come to pass.
  • 2 Kings 10:36 And the time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty and eight years.
  • 2 Chronicles 28:9 But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name was Oded: and he went out before the host that came to Samaria, and said unto them, Behold, because the LORD God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up unto heaven.