Kings

Azariah (Uzziah)

Did Azariah mostly do well?

He was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem. And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah had done, except that the high places were not removed; the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. (2 Kings 15:2-4 NKJV)

Jotham

Was Jotham basically a good king?

Jotham son of Uzziah began to rule over Judah in the second year of King Pekah’s reign in Israel. He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. His mother was Jerusha, the daughter of Zadok. Jotham did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight. He did everything his father, Uzziah, had done. But he did not destroy the pagan shrines, and the people still offered sacrifices and burned incense there. He rebuilt the upper gate of the Temple of the Lord. (2 Kings 15:32-35 NLT)

Hezekiah

Hezekiah made a lot of unwise decisions. However, he repented. Did God hear his prayers?

Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, “Yahweh, the God of Israel, says ‘You have prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria, and I have heard you. (2 Kings 19:20 WEB)

Josiah

Was Josiah righteous like David?

Josiah was 8 years old when he became king, and he ruled for thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah; she was Adaiah’s daughter and was from Bozkath. He did what was right in the Lord’s eyes, and walked in the ways of his ancestor David—not deviating from it even a bit to the right or left. (2 Kings 22:1-2 CEB)

The kings of Israel and Judah point out the failures of human leadership. Not one of the 19 northern kings of Israel looked to God, but 8 of the 20 southern kings of Judah did, and God was merciful on their glaring weaknesses. Does the church also have very imperfect leadership? To whom do we look, faulty men or God? You decide!