He built Elath Elath (also written Eloth) was at the northern extremity of the Gulf of Akabah. It is said in 1 Kings 9:26 to have belonged to Edom, but at this time Judah was powerful enough to secure a road through Edom for trade purposes, and so extend the sway of their kingdom to the same point southward which they had occupied in the days of Solomon. Between that time and this, Elath had most likely fallen into decay. Hence the mention of -building", which of course means restoration. (See on 2 Kings 15:35.)

and restored it to Judah As it had been in the days of Solomon. We need not suppose that more was done than to secure a passage through Edom between Elath and Jerusalem. Edom was of small use to Judah, but a port on the Red Sea was a great acquisition.

after that the king slept with his fathers This is another of those vague notices which indicate an unusual state of things in Judah at this period. It would almost seem as though Azariah had been put in authority, if not on the throne, before the death of his father, and that he had been making his plans beforehand, only waiting for his father's death to carry them out. He was without doubt a popular monarch, for it is said (verse 21) that all Judah agreed on him for king.

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