In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign.
In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam. Since Amaziah, the father of Azariah, lived only until the fifteenth year of Jeroboam II (cf. 2 Kings 14:17; 2 Kings 14:23), there is a difficulty in reconciling that fact with the chronological statement in the first verse of this chapter. It may be removed, however; and a satisfactory explanation given by assuming, what seems exceedingly probable, that Jeroboam had reigned in conjunction with his father for eleven or twelve years, and on the demise of his father, reigned alone. Thus, his reign would have a double commencement. According to the former view, this would be his 27th year; according to the latter, his 15th year. Or, it is thought that the throne of Judah continued vacant eleven or twelve years, between the death of Amaziah and the inauguration of his son Azariah, who, being a boy four years old when his father was murdered, a regency was, by the popular will, appointed during his minority, for he was not formally inaugurated into the kingdom until he was sixteen. His reign was the longest with the exception of Manasseh's, in the sacred history, extending to 52 years; but chronologists are not agreed as to the period from which this term is to be computed, whether the date of his father's death, or from the time of his actual accession.
Began Azariah ... to reign, х `Azaryaah (H5838) and `Azaryahuw (H5838), might of Yahweh; 'Azariyaah is probably a clerical error]. He is called Azariah here, 2 Kings 15:6-8; 2 Kings 15:23; 2 Kings 15:27; but Uzziah, 2 Kings 15:13; 2 Kings 15:32; 2 Kings 15:34, etc. [Septuagint, Ozias]. The character of big reign is described by the brief formula employed by the inspired historian in recording the religious policy of the later kings. But his reign was a very active as well as eventful one, and is fully related, 2 Chronicles 26:1-23. Elated by the possession of great power, and presumptuously arrogating to himself, as the pagan kings, the functions both of the regal and sacerdotal offices, he was punished with leprosy, which, as the offence was capital (Numbers 8:7), was equivalent to death; for this disease excluded him from all society (Leviticus 13:46); and while Jotham, his son, as his viceroy, administered the affairs of the kingdom, devoting fixed portions of his time (like Solomon, 1 Kings 7:7) to the judicial duties-being about 15 years of age (cf. 2 Kings 15:33) - he had to dwell in a place apart by himself (see the notes at 2 Kings 7:3). After a long reign he died, and was buried in the royal burying-field, though not in the royal cemetery of "the city of David" (2 Chr. 26:33).