Bible Notes Online - 2-Kings 15 - ESV
Commentary

v1-7: The reign of Uzziah (Azariah) is also described in 2 Chr 26. Later in his reign, Jotham his son reigned in his place, due to his leprosy. It is true that sin robs us of effectiveness in serving God.

v8-16: There followed a period of instability in Israel, the previous calm was now disrupted. There were four kings in only 13 years. Shallum killed Zechariah, the last of the dynasty of Jehu, in full view of the people. Shallum himself was killed only one month later; he is noted (v15) for the conspiracy he led. And Menahem dealt cruelly with the people of Tiphsah.

v17-22: Menahem reigned for ten years. During his reign, Pul (Tiglath-Pileser) the king of Assyria attacked Israel, Menahem sent him a massive gift to ask him to leave the land. It was not many years before Pul returned, to defeat part of Israel, and capture many of her people.

Assyria was the most powerful empire of the time.

v23-31: Menahem was followed by Pekahiah and Pekah. Both men were killed by a conspiracy. Tiglath-Pileser returned to Israel, capturing many people, and taking them off to Assyria, and defeating large areas of the land. Land lost in 10.32-33, restored in 14.25, was now lost again. This chapter describes the terminal decline of the nation of Israel, although the final defeat was not for another 9 years after Pekah's death.

v32-38: Jotham was king of Judah during the reign of Pekah. Doubtless he observed events in Israel. Jotham had to endure attacks from both Syria and Israel (See Is 7.1). Later Judah suffered at the hands of Assyria too. Jotham cannot be described as an outstanding king, but he was a good man (see 2 Chr 27), and followed the pattern of Amaziah and Uzziah before him.