CHARACTER STUDY ~ KING AZARIAH

Today's character study is on King Azariah son of Amaziah whose name is also written as Uzziah. The name Azariah is a Hebrew name for boys which means "helped by God". He became King of Judah at the age of sixteen and reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem. During his reign, he did what was right in the sight of the Lord.

Some Characteristics of Azariah:

✔ He reigned righteously. He did what was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. When we attain higher positions in life we must use it to glorify God. We must seek the advancement of God's Kingdom rather than our self-gratification.  

✔ He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had an understanding of the visions of God; and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper. God never disappoints anyone who seeks Him wholeheartedly.  

✔ He was victorious in battle. He went out and made war against the Philistines, and broke down the wall of Gath, the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod; and he built cities around Ashdod and among the Philistines. God helped him against the Philistines, against the Arabians who lived in Gur Baal, and against the Meunites. Also, the Ammonites brought tribute to Uzziah. His fame spread as far as the entrance of Egypt, for he became exceedingly strong.

✔ He fortified Jerusalem. During his reign, he built towers in Jerusalem at the Corner Gate, at the Valley Gate, and at the corner buttress of the wall; then he fortified them. We need to protect whatever is entrusted to our care. 

✔ Improved agriculture in his reign. He built towers in the desert. He dug many wells, for he had much livestock, both in the lowlands and in the plains; he also had farmers and vinedressers in the mountains and in Carmel, for he loved the soil. One thing to emulate about Azariah is how he made good use of what he had. 

✔ He had a great army. He was strategic with his army: He had mighty men of valor who were in charge of three hundred and seven thousand five hundred men of war. He also prepared for them, for the entire army, shields, spears, helmets, body armor, bows, and slings to cast stones. He made devices in Jerusalem, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and the corners, to shoot arrows and large stones. So his fame spread far and wide, for he was marvelously helped till he became strong. We must also be tactical in life. 

✔ The rebuilding of Elath is attributed to him. 

✔ He allowed pride to consume him to destruction. He transgressed against the Lord his God by entering the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense. The Lord punished him as a leper until the day of his death.

✔ He died and was buried with his fathers in the field of burial which belonged to the kings.  

Supporting Scriptures: 2 Kings 14:21; 15:1-7; 2 Chronicles 26:1-23