In the thirty and eighth year of Azariah king of Judah did Zachariah the son of Jeroboam reign over Israel in Samaria six months.

2 KINGS 15:8KJV
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2 Kings 15:8 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 15:8 mean?

2 Kings 15:8 marks the start of a brief reign in the northern kingdom of Israel. Zachariah, son of Jeroboam, became king while Azariah ruled the southern kingdom of Judah. Zachariah’s reign lasted only six months.

The narrator dates Zachariah’s rule by counting the years of another king’s reign. Samaria was the northern kingdom’s capital, so naming it places Zachariah’s rule at Israel’s royal center.

Why 2 Kings 15:8 matters

  • The verse distinguishes two kings and two kingdoms. Azariah is “king of Judah,” while Zachariah reigns “over Israel”; they are not successive rulers of the same kingdom.
  • Zachariah’s family connection matters to the account that follows. His father Jeroboam belonged to the royal family of Jehu, and verse 12 connects Zachariah’s death with the end of that family’s rule.

Where else these words appear

“Zachariah” Hebrew H2148 · used in 43 verses

  • 2 Kings 14:29 And Jeroboam slept with his fathers, even with the kings of Israel; and Zachariah his son reigned in his stead.
  • 1 Chronicles 27:21 Of the half tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah: of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner:
  • Ezra 8:16 Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib, and for Elnathan, and for Nathan, and for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib, and for Elnathan, men of understanding.

“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.

“Jeroboam” Hebrew H3379 · used in 95 verses

  • 1 Kings 11:26 And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon's servant, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow woman, even he lifted up his hand against the king.
  • 1 Kings 14:30 And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their days.
  • 2 Kings 15:1 In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign.

“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.