Question:
Dear Rabbi,
I would like your help to ask, regarding Ahazia’s being king.
In the Book of Kings II it is written that he became king at the age of 22, while the Chronicle says that he was 42 years old?
Thank you
Answer:
Your question is correct
Although you have not interpreted in your question why the chronicle says that he is 42 years old.
I certainly understand your question, because in the book of Kings chapter 9 there is a mention of King Ahazia, who reigned at the age of 22, and was killed in the revolt of Jehovah after a short period, and his reign was in the eleventh year of Yoram son of Ahab. While in the book of Kings 1 chapter 22 the king Ahazia is mentioned and according to the account he was king about ten years earlier.
The answer to this question is: There were two different kings called Ahazia.
The first: Ahazia the king of ‘Israel’ who was the son of Ahab and Isabel, and reigned over Israel for several months spread over two different years, the period of his reign is mentioned in the book of Kings 1 chapter 22.
The second: Ahazia, king of Judah, who was the son of Jehoram, and reigned about ten years later over Judah at the age of 22 years. Ahaziah, king of Judah, was killed after a very short period in Jehovah’s revolt against Ahab and his family. As mentioned in Kings 2 chapter 9 verse 27.
