‏ 2 Kings 15

* Reign of Azariah, or Uzziah, king of Judah. (1-7) The latter

kings of Israel. (8-31) Jotham, king of Judah. (32-38)

1-7 Uzziah did for the most part that which was right. It was

happy for the kingdom that a good reign was a long one. 8-31 This history shows Israel in confusion. Though Judah was

not without 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 our hearts, if left to themselves,

deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. We have

reason to be thankful for restraints, for being kept out of

temptation, and should beg of God to renew a right spirit within

us. 32-38 Jotham showed great respect to the temple. If magistrates

cannot do all they would, for the suppressing of vice and

profaneness, let them do the more to support and advance piety

and virtue.