Is this the same Azaryah as in the previous verse?
'Rashi': Some say that it is the same. He served in Shlomo's Bayis; from him until Serayah (at the time of the Churban), there were eight Kohanim Gedolim. They change the text in Yuma, Vayikra Rabah and Sifri to say eight; others say that there were 18 (refer to 3:31:1:1, 3:31:1:1 1 ) 2 . If you will say that Azaryah is Serayah's father, where is Chilkiyah, the Kohen Gadol in the days of Yoshiyah?!
'Rashi': There were 12 Kohanim Gedolim in Bayis Rishon, from Tzadok until Serayah. So it says in accurate texts of Vayikra Rabah and the Yerushalmi. This Azaryah in the days of Uziyah and Chizkiyah (Divrei ha'Yamim II, 26:17, 31:10). Azaryah ben Achima'atz was in the days of Yehoshafat; he was called also Amaryahu (ibid. 19:11). Azaryah ben Achima'atz was called also Zecharyahu 3 (ibid. 26:5).
Vilna Gaon: No; refer to 5:36:2:3.
'Rashi': Both of these are wrong. Tzadok was the first Kohen Gadol in the days of Shlomo! Also, Amaryah ben Azaryah was Kohen Rosh (Gadol) in the days of Yehoshafat. How could he be in the days of Uziyah and Chizkiyah (Divrei ha'Yamim II, 26:17, 31:10), much later?!
Vilna Gaon: Zecharyahu was in the days of Uziyah. Can we say that there were only two Kohanim Gedolim from Shlomo until Uziyah?! ('Rashi' said that the same Azaryah could not be in the days of Yehoshafat, and also in the days of Uziyah and Chizkiyah! Perhaps the text of 'Rashi' should say 'Azaryah ben Yochanan [was called Zecharyahu].' - PF)
What is the meaning of "Asher Kihen ba'Bayis Asher Banah Shlomo"?
'Rashi', Radak, from Sifri (Sof Balak): He was not the only Kohen Gadol in Bayis Rishon 1 ! Rather, it says so because he was Moser Nefesh for Kedushas ha'Bayis, and did not let Uziyah ha'Melech burn Ketores in the Heichal.
Radak: Perhaps he was in the days of Shlomo, but then he was young. He lived until the days of Uziyah, and He was "ha'Kohen ha'Rosh" (Divrei ha'Yamim II, 31:10) even in the days of Chizkiyah. It says "Asher Kihen ba'Bayis" because he was Kohen Gadol for so many years.
Vilna Gaon: It is Yehoyada; he is called Azaryah. The verse implies that he was the only Kohen, for Asalyah ceased the Avodah, and he fixed and restored it.
Malbim (30): He was appointed over the Bayis. He was not Kohen Gadol; sometimes the Kohen Gadol was appointed over the Bayis.
Radak: We cannot say that he was the first to serve in it - Tzadok was first!
Why is Yehoyada, the mentor of Yo'ash (Melachim II, 12:3), not listed among the Kohanim Gedolim here?
Tosfos Yeshanim (Yuma 9a): He is listed here under a different name, i.e. Yochanan (Metzudas David) or the latter Azaryah (Vilna Gaon).
Tosfos ha'Rosh (Yuma 9a): It lists a Kohen Gadol only if his son became Kohen Gadol once he died.
