In the second year of the reign of Pekah son of Remaliah over Israel, Jotham son of Uzziah became king of Judah. In the second yearThis phrase sets a chronological marker, situating the events within a specific timeframe. The use of regnal years was common in ancient Near Eastern cultures, providing a framework for historical events. The "second year" of Pekah's reign indicates a period of political instability in Israel, as Pekah came to power through a coup. This context highlights the tumultuous nature of the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah, emphasizing the need for godly leadership and stability. of Pekah son of Remaliah
Pekah, the son of Remaliah, was a military officer who seized the throne of Israel by assassinating King Pekahiah. His reign is marked by idolatry and conflict, particularly with the Assyrian Empire. The mention of his lineage, "son of Remaliah," serves to distinguish him from other figures and underscores the importance of familial identity in the biblical narrative. Pekah's actions contrast with the Davidic line in Judah, which is portrayed as more faithful to God. king of Israel
This title refers to Pekah's position as the ruler of the northern kingdom. The division of the united monarchy into Israel and Judah was a result of Solomon's apostasy and the subsequent judgment of God. The kings of Israel, unlike those of Judah, did not have the promise of an eternal dynasty, as they were not from the line of David. This distinction is crucial in understanding the biblical narrative, as it sets the stage for the eventual downfall of Israel due to persistent idolatry and disobedience. Jotham son of Uzziah
Jotham is introduced as the son of Uzziah, also known as Azariah, who was a generally righteous king of Judah. Jotham's lineage is significant because it connects him to the Davidic covenant, which promised a lasting dynasty to David's descendants. Uzziah's reign was marked by prosperity and military success, but also by his prideful act of burning incense in the temple, which led to his leprosy. Jotham's rule is seen as a continuation of his father's positive legacy, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness to God. became king of Judah
This phrase marks the beginning of Jotham's reign over the southern kingdom of Judah. Unlike the northern kingdom, Judah maintained a line of kings from the house of David, which was significant in the biblical narrative as it pointed to the coming Messiah. Jotham's ascension to the throne represents a period of relative stability and faithfulness in Judah, as he is described in the biblical text as doing what was right in the eyes of the Lord. His reign serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness to His promises and the importance of righteous leadership. Persons / Places / Events 1. Pekah son of RemaliahHe was the king of Israel during the time Jotham became king of Judah. His reign was marked by idolatry and political instability. 2. Jotham son of UzziahJotham became king of Judah and is noted for his righteous reign, following in the footsteps of his father, Uzziah, but without repeating his mistakes. 3. Uzziah (also known as Azariah)The father of Jotham, Uzziah was a king of Judah who initially did what was right in the eyes of the Lord but later fell into pride, leading to his downfall. 4. JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, where Jotham reigned. It was often more faithful to God compared to the northern kingdom, Israel. 5. IsraelThe northern kingdom, often characterized by its departure from the worship of Yahweh, leading to its eventual downfall. Teaching Points Faithfulness in LeadershipJotham's reign is a reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God in leadership. Despite the challenges, he maintained his commitment to God, which brought stability to Judah. Learning from the PastJotham learned from his father Uzziah's mistakes, particularly regarding pride. This teaches us the importance of humility and learning from the past to avoid repeating mistakes. Influence of a Godly HeritageJotham benefited from the godly influence of his father, Uzziah, despite his later failings. This underscores the impact of a godly heritage and the responsibility to pass on faith to the next generation. The Consequences of IdolatryThe contrast between Judah and Israel during this time highlights the destructive nature of idolatry and the blessings of faithfulness to God. Bible Study Questions 1. How did Jotham's reign differ from that of his father Uzziah, and what lessons can we learn from this difference? 2. In what ways can we apply Jotham's example of faithfulness in leadership to our own lives, whether in family, work, or community? 3. How does the political and spiritual climate of Judah during Jotham's reign compare to the challenges faced by believers today? 4. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure we learn from the past and avoid repeating the mistakes of previous generations? 5. How can we cultivate a godly heritage in our own families and communities, and what role does humility play in this process? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Chronicles 27This chapter provides a more detailed account of Jotham's reign, highlighting his construction projects and military successes, as well as his faithfulness to God. Isaiah 1:1Isaiah's prophetic ministry began during the reign of Jotham, providing a spiritual context to the political and social environment of Judah. 2 Kings 15:34-35These verses describe Jotham's righteous actions and his efforts to maintain the worship of Yahweh, despite the high places not being removed. People Abel, Ahaz, Amaziah, Amram, Aram, Argob, Arieh, Azaliah, Azariah, David, Elah, Gadi, Gileadites, Hoshea, Jabesh, Jecholiah, Jecoliah, Jehu, Jeroboam, Jerusha, Jotham, Maacah, Menahem, Naphtali, Nebat, Pekah, Pekahiah, Pul, Remaliah, Rezin, Shallum, Tappuah, Tiglathpileser, Tirzah, Uzziah, Zachariah, Zadok, ZechariahPlaces Abel-beth-maacah, Assyria, Damascus, Galilee, Gilead, Hazor, Ibleam, Ijon, Janoah, Jerusalem, Kedesh, Samaria, Syria, TirzahTopics Jotham, Judah, Pekah, Reign, Reigned, Remaliah, Remali'ah, Uzziah, Uzzi'ahDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 15:1-38 5366 king Library The Twelve Minor Prophets.
1. By the Jewish arrangement, which places together the twelve minor prophets in a single volume, the chronological order of the prophets as a whole is broken up. The three greater prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, stand in the true order of time. Daniel began to prophesy before Ezekiel, but continued, many years after him. The Jewish arrangement of the twelve minor prophets is in a sense chronological; that is, they put the earlier prophets at the beginning, and the later at the end of the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the BibleMeditations Before Dinner and Supper.
Meditate that hunger is like the sickness called a wolf; which, if thou dost not feed, will devour thee, and eat thee up; and that meat and drink are but as physic, or means which God hath ordained, to relieve and cure this natural infirmity and necessity of man. Use, therefore, to eat and to drink, rather to sustain and refresh the weakness of nature, than to satisfy the sensuality and delights of the flesh. Eat, therefore, to live, but live not to eat. There is no service so base, as for a man …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety A Living Book
[Illustration: (drop cap T) Symbol of "Asshur", the principal Assyrian idol.] There is only one Book that never grows old. For thousands of years men have been writing books. Most books are forgotten soon after they are written; a few of the best and wisest are remembered for a time. But all at last grow old; new discoveries are made; new ideas arise; the old books are out of date; their usefulness is at an end. Students are the only people who still care to read them. The nations to which the …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making In Galilee at the Time of Our Lord
"If any one wishes to be rich, let him go north; if he wants to be wise, let him come south." Such was the saying, by which Rabbinical pride distinguished between the material wealth of Galilee and the supremacy in traditional lore claimed for the academies of Judaea proper. Alas, it was not long before Judaea lost even this doubtful distinction, and its colleges wandered northwards, ending at last by the Lake of Gennesaret, and in that very city of Tiberias which at one time had been reputed unclean! …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life The Prophet Micah.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. Micah signifies: "Who is like Jehovah;" and by this name, the prophet is consecrated to the incomparable God, just as Hosea was to the helping God, and Nahum to the comforting God. He prophesied, according to the inscription, under Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. We are not, however, entitled, on this account, to dissever his prophecies, and to assign particular discourses to the reign of each of these kings. On the contrary, the entire collection forms only one whole. At …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Prophet Hosea.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. That the kingdom of Israel was the object of the prophet's ministry is so evident, that upon this point all are, and cannot but be, agreed. But there is a difference of opinion as to whether the prophet was a fellow-countryman of those to whom he preached, or was called by God out of the kingdom of Judah. The latter has been asserted with great confidence by Maurer, among others, in his Observ. in Hos., in the Commentat. Theol. ii. i. p. 293. But the arguments …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Kings 15:32 NIV2 Kings 15:32 NLT2 Kings 15:32 ESV2 Kings 15:32 NASB2 Kings 15:32 KJV
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