We know the two primary nations whom God highlights throughout the books of Kings are Judah and Israel. What is a less obvious and hidden truth is that those two nations are part of the written word of God which serve as a parable for us to understand that “the first man Adam was made a living soul; [and] the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.” The spiritual counterparts which these two nations of Judah and Israel represent, and how the natural nations precede the spiritual kingdom within God’s elect, is hidden from the world just as Christ is hidden within His people who are inwardly spiritual Jews, and the Israel of God (1Co 15:45-46, 1Co 2:7, Col 3:3). God’s word won’t quicken us or be profitable to us unless the Lord shows us how to rightly divide it, but if He does, it becomes evident that “the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God” are unsearchable as we compare spiritual with spiritual using the natural (2Ti 3:16, Rom 11:33, 1Co 2:13).
1Co 15:45 And so it is written, [all scripture which is profitable] The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
1Co 15:46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; [Judah and Israel] and afterward that which is spiritual [Judah and Israel].1Co 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
Col 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Rom 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
Adam, who is the father of all of humanity, had a carnal head which is represented by Judah or Jerusalem below, the capital of Judah, and Adam’s carnal body is represented by Israel as is Samaria the capital of Israel. The first marred man that must be completely destroyed, root and branch (Mal 4:1-2), and made anew in the Potter’s hand is represented by the physical nations of Judah and Israel (Jer 18:4). Both nations must go into captivity, which represents the bondage of sin we naturally go into and can only come out of by the power of God’s holy spirit.
Mal 4:1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
Mal 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.Jer 18:4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.
The parable continues as we’re shown that our bondage to sin in the first man Adam brings us into captivity, represented by Israel’s exile, a type of our body being a slave to sin (733 BC).
The spiritual captivity in our heavens against powers and principalities which take us captive, especially spiritually, is represented by the nation of Judah who represents the religious beast inside us (Rev 13:11) that is taken into captivity after Israel in 597 BC.
Rev 13:11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
Many scholars, although very good at getting the historical journeys of these two nations sorted out, are hopeful that the physical lost tribes of Israel will be restored and the Abrahamic promises will be fulfilled physically for the nation of Israel, not being given to understand that the only kingdom which ultimately matters is God’s kingdom that is being established, first within the body of Christ (Luk 12:49), and is only represented or typified by these two kingdoms (Judah and Israel) that have been instrumental in creating a physical construct that God ordained to reveal to the body of Christ what He is doing with the Israel of God, or the inward Jew who the elect are (Gal 6:16, Rom 2:29).
Babylon wants to preserve the flesh, and still thinks that the kingdom of God must be established on this earth by physical means, via nations, not being given to see Christ’s words that the kingdom of God was already in their midst (Luk 17:21) when He was in their presence, and that the kindled fire of Luke 12:49 represents the kingdom of God which is now within His people in earnest, soon to be the outward kingdom of God that will rule over all the nations of this world (Rev 11:15).
Luk 12:49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
Rev 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
The last Adam’s spiritual head is represented by Christ, our head, the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Rom 2:29), and the last Adam’s spiritual body is represented by the Israel of God, the body of Christ. The first Adam cannot save anyone. The last Adam, Christ and his Christ, will be used to save all of humanity with Christ’s faith within us which will be tried and prepared in this life for the world’s sake that God loves and gives us for as he did Christ (Gal 6:16, 1Co 15:22, Oba 1:21, Joh 3:16, 1Jn 4:17).
Rom 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Gal 6:16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
Oba 1:21 And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S.
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
1Jn 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
The context is important in Galatians 6:16 as it speaks about putting off the flesh or not putting off the flesh, circumcision or uncircumcision (Gal 6:15). That’s not where the battlefield is. That is only the physical construct which reveals where the real spiritual battle is taking place as we compare spiritual with spiritual using the physical (1Co 2:13-14). This gives us peace because we know the battle is the Lord’s, and therefore anything we do physically does not contribute to our salvation, and only that which Christ does through us brings about true spiritual circumcision as the new man in Christ is formed (Php 2:12-13). So in these books and chronicles we are studying, with all the wars and all the good and bad leadership, which we could compare to flesh being put off or preserved, it is all unfolding as a type of what God is doing within the body of Christ, and it is for our sakes. The underlying spiritual lesson is “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature”; a new creature formed by the circumcision of the heart (Rom 2:28-29).
Gal 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
Gal 6:16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.[When we walk with the knowledge that God uses all things to his glory, and is working all things including how we work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, we are then experiencing (Php 2:12-13) “peace on them, and mercy“]
1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.Php 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.Rom 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
Rom 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Judah’s and Israel’s history and the many warring nations and multiple kings they encountered, peaceful ones and evil ones, were all written to demonstrate to us the life-long struggle that we all must have in Christ, not against outward enemies, but against powers and principalities that we wrestle against and that Christ our head is far higher than. God uses all those nations within us to cause our hearts to change, to have them circumcised inwardly (Eph 6:12, Eph 1:20-21, Eph 4:10). Our flesh, all flesh and blood that cannot inherit the kingdom of God, is seen as gentile flesh that is in need of being put off, destroyed and replaced with the body and blood of Christ so that we can have real life, otherwise we have no life, but just a temporary shadow that is going to pass and not inherit the kingdom of God (Joh 6:53-56).
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Eph 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:Eph 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
Joh 6:53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
Joh 6:54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
Joh 6:55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
Joh 6:56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
This chapter of 2 Kings focuses on several kings of Judah and Israel, and provides more evidence for us of how God was working all the events of these kings’ lives and the nations they ruled to teach us lessons about our own spiritual warfare within us against nations and kings, which represent the powers and principalities that Christ in us can and will rule over as the author and finisher of our faith. We fix our eyes on Christ now because we know and are confident that our labours are not in vain, because he who has “begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (1Pe 1:12 , 1Co 10:11, Heb 12:2, Php 1:6).
2Ki 15:1 In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign.
2Ki 15:2 Sixteen years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned two and fifty years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem.
2Ki 15:3 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done;
2Ki 15:4 Save that the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places.
2Ch 26:5 And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.
2Ch 26:6 And he went forth and warred against the Philistines, and brake down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod, and built cities about Ashdod, and among the Philistines.
2Ch 26:7 And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gurbaal, and the Mehunims.
2Ch 26:8 And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah [Azariah]: and his name spread abroad even to the entering in of Egypt; for he strengthened himself exceedingly.
2Ch 26:9 Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate, and at the valley gate, and at the turning of the wall, and fortified them.
2Ch 26:10 Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen also, and vine dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he loved husbandry.
2Ch 26:11 Moreover Uzziah had an host of fighting men, that went out to war by bands, according to the number of their account by the hand of Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the ruler, under the hand of Hananiah, one of the king’s captains.
2Ch 26:12 The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valour were two thousand and six hundred.
2Ch 26:13 And under their hand was an army, three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy.
2Ch 26:14 And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons [breastplate], and bows, and slings to cast stones.
2Ch 26:15 And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.
2Ch 26:16 But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense.
2Ch 26:17 And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the LORD, that were valiant men:
2Ch 26:18 And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the LORD, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the LORD God.
2Ch 26:19 Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, from beside the incense altar.
2Ch 26:20 And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the LORD had smitten him.
2Ki 15:5 And the LORD smote the king, so that he was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house. And Jotham the king’s son was over the house, judging the people of the land.
2Ki 15:6 And the rest of the acts of Azariah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
2Ki 15:7 So Azariah slept with his fathers; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.
Azariah reigned for [52] years “And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done; Save that the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places“. As we see in the verses above, it is when our flesh is strong (the pride of life of 1 John 2:16) that we turn away from obedience to God and transgress so that God’s wrath comes upon us, “And the LORD smote the king, so that he was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several [separate] house”, the “several house” representing how sin separates us from the body of Christ.
The life of Azariah ultimately ended up producing bad fruit, represented by his building of ElathH359 that he restored to Judah, “He built Elath, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers” (2Ki 14:22). Based on all that we read about the life of Azariah and what he ended up doing, it’s clear that his high-mindedness was manifested by disobedience as he went to burn incense in the temple when only the priest of Aaron were allowed to do so (Exo 30:30, Exo 30:37-38, Num 16:35), and then being smitten with physical leprosy, symbolic of his spiritually corrupt heart. As always, we are reminded that this is written for our admonition. Unless we are washed by the blood of Christ that takes away our sinful condition represented by leprosy, we would remain in the bondage that the whole world is in (Joh 8:36, 1Jn 5:19).
H359‘êylôth / ‘êylath BDB Definition:
Elath or Eloth = “grove of lofty trees”
1) a port on the north-east arm of the Red Sea
Part of Speech: noun proper locative
A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: from H352 [properly strength; hence anything strong]
1Jn 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. [sinful leprous flesh]
Azariah’s mother’s name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem, representing Jerusalem below as the fruit of her loins was haughty (Pro 18:11-12), who in the end used the liberty God had given him as ‘an occasion to the flesh’ and not to serve the nation in obedience to God.
“the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places” (2Ki 15:4)
“when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense” (2Ch 26:16)
Pro 18:11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
Pro 18:12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
Her name, JecholiahH3203, also reminds us that despite ourselves, God has, does and will prevail (Pro 19:21).
JecholiahH3203
BDB: “Jehovah is able”
PNB: “Jehovah prevails”
Pro 19:21 There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
God must continue to give us trials in this life if Christ is going to increase and we decrease, and yet it must be appointed of Him that those trials soften our hearts and change us as they did not in the life of Azariah. He remained separate from the people because “when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction” (2Ch 26:16), “so Uzziah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the field of the burial which belonged to the kings; for they said, He is a leper [he remained separated even in death]: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.” [2Ch 26:23]
The thorn in our flesh God gives each of us in the body of Christ is given with great purpose, keeping us humble in His service and knitted together to overcome the giants of our land through Christ, little and by little to the glory of God (1Co 10:12-13, 2Co 12:7, Exo 23:30). It is not written anywhere that Azariah’s trial of health, as severe as it was, produced any humility or repentance, so with no change of heart he was separated from the people, typifying not suffering with the body and being separated from the body because of sin (Heb 11:24-26, 1Co 12:26).
2Co 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. [God made a way for Paul to overcome the pride of life as he does with us through the thorn in our flesh, and so with the temptation to be proud He made a way to escape through the thorn in his flesh – thank God for the thorn that creates weakness so His power can rest upon us causing us to overcome, otherwise we would go back to our high and lofty places in our heavens.]
Heb 11:24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;
Heb 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Heb 11:26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ [the thorn in our flesh] greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.1Co 12:26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
1Co 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
The circumstances of Azariah’s life remind us that God’s elect are blessed to see the need to be part of this fellowship or communion, which is the body and blood of Christ (1Co 10:16) as we’re given to esteem “the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward” as a many-membered body (1Co 10:17). That is what God’s judgment (1Co 10:16) will produce in the lives of those who are being judged of Him today for His purpose and to His glory (1Pe 4:17, Heb 9:27)
1Co 10:16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
1Co 10:17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
2Ki 15:8 In the thirty and eighth year of Azariah king of Judah did Zachariah the son of Jeroboam reign over Israel in Samaria six months.
2Ki 15:9 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his fathers had done: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.
2Ki 15:10 And Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him, and smote him before the people, and slew him, and reigned in his stead.
2Ki 15:11 And the rest of the acts of Zachariah, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.
It is significant when God mentions the timing of when one king, in this case Azariah of Judah in his thirty-eighth year of reign, is juxtaposed against the length of time of the other king, in this case king Zachariah of Israel who reigned for six months. Those numbers regarding king Azariah [38] apply to the condition of king Zachariah who would reign for [6] months. We read that his reign was another example of an evil-reigning king who did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, and so the six months represent the number of man, and the 3 and 8 add up to 11, telling us that there was not going to be any lasting foundation for king Zachariah whose kingdom was soon going to be sabotaged by Shallum the son of Jabesh.
ShallumH7967 = retribution conspired against Zachariah, “and smote him before the people, and slew him, and reigned in his stead“, teaching us that God’s process of judgment upon us [3] which brings forth the new man [8] will not change the inner man unless God has purposed that for us in this life (Eph 3:16, Heb 9:27). So we see it was not just Judah’s king Azariah who was highminded and not repenting in his heart, but also king Zachariah of Israel who “did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his fathers had done“. When the head is sick, represented by Azariah of Judah, the body follows what the head does represented by Zachariah king of Israel, and this symbolic message is for us who are blessed to see, hear and understand (Isa 1:5-6, Luk 24:45).
Eph 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man [Heb 6:3];
Isa 1:5 Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.
Isa 1:6 From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.Luk 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
2Ki 15:12 This was the word of the LORD which he spake unto Jehu, saying, Thy sons shall sit on the throne of Israel unto the fourth generation. And so it came to pass.
We are reminded here of the Lord’s promise in 2 Kings 10:30 being fulfilled, demonstrating God’s faithfulness to judge the nation of Israel which typifies our body now reaping what we have sown (Gal 6:7, 2Ki 10:28-31, Hos 1:1-5). The outline of this judgment of God was spoken to Jehu who was told “Thy sons shall sit on the throne of Israel unto the fourth generation. And so it came to pass“. The ‘fourth’ represents the whole judgment culminating in having the nation of Israel go into captivity as we read in verse 2 Kings 15:29, which Gill explains as “the first captivity of Israel in which half their tribes were carried away.” God anointed Jehu king over Israel and avenged the blood of his prophets and servants at Jezebel’s hand, slaying the whole house of Ahab which was discussed in earlier chapters (2Ki 9:6-10).
Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
2Ki 10:28 Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel.
2Ki 10:29 Howbeit from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, Jehu departed not from after them, to wit, the golden calves that were in Bethel, and that were in Dan.
2Ki 10:30 And the LORD said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel.
2Ki 10:31 But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin.Hos 1:1 The word of the LORD that came unto Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.
Hos 1:2 The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD.
Hos 1:3 So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim; which conceived, and bare him a son.
Hos 1:4 And the LORD said unto him, Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel.
Hos 1:5 And it shall come to pass at that day, that I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel. [Jehu was cut off at this point being the fourth generation]
This prophecy of four generations ruling represents the whole process of the wood hay and stubble judgment that we must go through before we “suffer loss” (1Co 3:12-15). There continues to be nothing but instability for Israel as we will read, reminding us that until our lives are judged of God we cannot be made “perfect, stablish[ed], strengthen[ed], settle[d]”, which is a painful process requiring much tribulation that takes time (1Pe 5:10 , Act 14:22 , Luk 21:19).
1Co 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
1Co 3:13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
1Co 3:14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.[the lake of fire]1Pe 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
Act 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Luk 21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls.
2Ki 15:13 Shallum the son of Jabesh began to reign in the nine and thirtieth year of Uzziah king of Judah; and he reigned a full month in Samaria.
2Ki 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.
2Ki 15:15 And the rest of the acts of Shallum, and his conspiracy which he made, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.
Shallum, son of Jabesh, began to reign and did so for “a full month in Samaria”. Uzziah king of Judah was in his thirty-ninth year of reigning [39] when Shallum began his reign. This very transitional king represents our inability to overcome and fight a good fight of faith at this stage in our walk and he Shallum, is judged [39] as being unfit to be a king (demonstrated by his having killed his king [Psa 105:15]), and was killed by Menahem the son of Gadi who reigned in his stead.
Here’s how Wikipedia breaks down this generational curse which was pronounced upon Israel, and notice there is no thought given to how this applies to the “Israel of God“(Gal 6:16), very typical of the blindness we are all first given in that it all remains a history lesson for the world who cannot at this time see that this prophecy represents the stages of judgment God’s people, the small remnant, the few chosen, the Israel of God, would go through. Just for contrast we read this now from Wikipedia:
“The destruction of the house of Ahab is commended by the author of 2 Kings as a form of divine punishment. Yahweh rewards Jehu for being a willing executor of divine judgement by allowing four generations of kings to sit on the throne of Israel. Jehu and his descendants Jehoahaz, Jehoash, Jereboam II and Zachariah ruled Israel for 102 years. Nonetheless, according to the Book of Hosea, the House of Jehu was still punished by God through the hands of the Assyrians for Jehu’s massacre at Jezreel, some Biblical commentators reasoning that this was because Jehu’s motives may not have been entirely pure in his massacre.”
Upon further investigation of some of the different interpretations of what this chapter is about, via the content found in various commentaries, what is always missed is that these events are not just a foregone conclusion or prophecy that was written in the word of God, but were written for the elect’s sake upon whom the end of the world has come, all “predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will” (1Co 10:11, Eph 1:11). God willing, we will not murmur in our wilderness and will be given to accept that God is working all our trials and tribulations in this life to a greater end that will be revealed in the blessed and holy first resurrection (Rev 20:6). We want our old man to be destroyed and not have our spiritual life to be sifted like wheat by the destroyer as these verses make clear: (1Co 10:11-12, Amo 9:8-9, Luk 22:31).
1Co 10:10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
1Co 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.Amo 9:8 Behold, the eyes of the Lord GOD are upon the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from off the face of the earth; [first Adam] saving that I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob, saith the LORD [last Adam].
Amo 9:9 For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth [Joh 17:12].Joh 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
Luk 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
Luk 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
Next week Lord willing, we’ll look further into this tumultuous time of Israel, during Azariah’s 52 year reign and his son Jotham’s 16 year reign in Judah, events that were written for our sakes, the “Israel of God”‘s sake. (Rom 15:4, 2Co 4:15).
Rom 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
2Co 4:15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
"His Branch" 