[:en]Thoughts from 2 Kings 15 – 16[:]

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  •  Azariah – the son of Amaziah reigned Jerusalem for 52 years.  He did right in the eyes of the Lord.  But he did not removed the high places where people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incenses there.   The Lord afflicted him with leprosy until the day he died.  His son, Jotham succeeded him as king.
  • Zechariah – the son of Jeroboam became king of Israel in Samaria.  He reigned for 6 months and did evil in the eyes of the Lord.  Shallum assassinated him in front of the people and he succeeded him as king.
  • Shallum – became king in Samaria and reigned for one month. He was assassinated by Menahem.
  • Menahem – became king in Samaria and reigned for 10 years.  He did evil in the eyes of the Lord.  He was attacked by Pul, king of Assyria.  He extracted money from the wealthy men to give to Pul and gain support to hold on his kingdom.  His son Pekahiah succeeded him as king.
  • Pekahiah – the son of Menahem reigned for 2 years.  He did evil in the eyes of the Lord.  One of his chief officials, Pekah assassinated him succeeded him as king.
  • Pekah – became king of Samaria and reigned for 20 years.  He did evil in the eyes of the Lord.  During his time, the king of Assyria invaded Israel and deported the people to Assyria.  Pekah was attacked and assassinated by Hoshea.  Hoshea became king of Israel
  • Jotham – the son of Uzziah became king of Judah.  He reigned in Jerusalem for 16 years.  He did RIGHT in the eyes of the Lord but failed to remove the high places.  He rebuilt the Upper Gate of the temple of the Lord.  In those days, Rezin, king of Aram and Pekah, king of Israel were against Judah.  Ahaz, his son succeded him as king.
  • Ahaz – the son of Jotham reigned Judah for 16 years.  He walked in the ways of the king of Israel and sacrificed his son in fire.  He robbed God’s temple to bring protection.  He worshiped God after the world’s pattern.  His son Hezekiah succeeded him as king.

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