Most Bible students know Azariah by his other name, Uzziah ( 2 Kings 15:13; 2 Kings 15:30; 2 Kings 15:32; 2 Kings 15:34; 2 Chronicles 26; Isaiah 1:1; Hosea 1:1,Amos 1:1; Zechariah 14:5; et al.). His52-year reign (790-739 B.C.) was longer than any other king of Judah or Israel so far. King Manasseh reigned the longest in Judah (55 years), and Azariah was second. Azariah reigned while seven of the last eight kings of the Northern Kingdom ruled, all but the last Israelite king, Hoshea. The first23years of his reign was a coregency with his father Amaziah, and the last11was another coregency with his son Jotham. [source][source][source]
Azariah was one of Judah"s most popular, effective, and influential kings. He expanded Judah"s territories, fortified several Judean cities, including Jerusalem, and reorganized the army ( 2 Kings 15:22; cf. 2 Chronicles 26:6-14). The combined territories over which he and Jeroboam II exercised control approximated those of David and Solomon. [source][source][source]
Unfortunately he became proud, and in disobedience to the Mosaic Law performed functions that God had restricted to the priests ( 2 Chronicles 26:16-21). For this sin God punished him with leprosy ( 2 Kings 15:5). History teaches us that few people have been able to maintain spiritual vitality and faithfulness when they attain what the world calls success. As with Song of Solomon , Azariah"s early success proved to be his undoing. [source][source][source]