John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 8. In the thirty eighth year of Azariah king of Judah did Zachariah the son of Jeroboam reign over Israel in Samaria six months .] Since Azariah began to reign in the twenty seventh of Jeroboam, ( 2 Kings 15:1), and Jeroboam reigned forty one years, ( 2 Kings 14:23), his last year must be the fifteenth or sixteenth of Azariah, in which year Zachariah must have begun to reign, had he immediately succeeded his father in the throne; there must be therefore an interregnum of twenty two years at least, which might be owing to the dissensions among the princes and people about the succession, and a dislike to Zachariah on some account; however, after all, he must reign, though but six months, to fulfil the word of the Lord, (see 2 Kings 15:12).
Ver. 9 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, as his fathers had done , etc.] Even all his predecessors, from the time of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, from whose sin, in worshipping the calves, they departed not.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 8-31 - This history shows Israel in confusion. Though Judah was not withou troubles, yet that kingdom was happy, compared with the state of Israel. The imperfections of true believers are very different from the allowed wickedness of ungodly men. Such is human nature, such are ou hearts, if left to themselves, deceitful above all things, an desperately wicked. We have reason to be thankful for restraints, for being kept out of temptation, and should beg of God to renew a righ spirit within us.
Original Hebrew בשׁנת8141 שׁלשׁים7970 ושׁמנה8083 שׁנה8141 לעזריהו5838 מלך4428 יהודה3063 מלך4427 זכריהו2148 בן1121 ירבעם3379 על5921 ישׂראל3478 בשׁמרון8111 שׁשׁה8337 חדשׁים׃2320
