2 Kings 15:33 Study Bible: He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: and his mother's name was Jerusha the daughter of Zadok.

◄ 2 Kings 15:33 ►

He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. His mother's name was Jerusha daughter of Zadok.

Study Bible

He was twenty-five years old when he became king
This phrase indicates the age at which Jotham ascended to the throne of Judah. In the context of ancient Near Eastern monarchies, becoming king at a relatively young age was not uncommon. Jotham's age suggests a period of preparation and possibly co-regency with his father, Uzziah, who was struck with leprosy (2 Kings 15:5). This transition period would have allowed Jotham to gain experience in governance and leadership.

and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years
Jotham's reign in Jerusalem, the capital of Judah, lasted for sixteen years. This period was marked by relative stability and prosperity, as Jotham is noted for doing what was right in the eyes of the LORD (2 Kings 15:34). Jerusalem, as the political and spiritual center of Judah, was significant in maintaining the Davidic line, which is central to biblical prophecy concerning the Messiah (2 Samuel 7:12-16). Jotham's reign is also mentioned in the context of the Assyrian threat, which began to loom over the region during this time.

His mother’s name was Jerusha daughter of Zadok
The mention of Jotham's mother, Jerusha, and her father, Zadok, highlights the importance of maternal lineage in the biblical narrative. Jerusha's name, meaning "possession" or "inheritance," and her connection to Zadok, a name associated with righteousness, may imply a heritage of faithfulness. The inclusion of maternal lineage in the biblical text often underscores the influence of the mother in the king's upbringing and character. This detail also serves to authenticate the historical record, as genealogies were crucial for establishing legitimacy and continuity in the royal line.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Jotham
The central figure in this verse, Jotham was the king of Judah. He is noted for his relatively righteous reign compared to other kings of Judah.

2. Jerusalem
The capital city of Judah, where Jotham reigned. It holds significant religious and political importance in the history of Israel and Judah.

3. Jerusha
Jotham's mother, identified as the daughter of Zadok. Her mention highlights the importance of lineage and maternal influence in the biblical account.

4. Zadok
Although not much is detailed about this Zadok in this verse, the name is historically significant, often associated with priestly lineage.

5. Reign of Jotham
The period of Jotham's rule over Judah, which lasted sixteen years. His reign is characterized by stability and adherence to God's laws, as noted in other parts of the biblical account.

Teaching Points

The Importance of Godly Leadership
Jotham's reign is a reminder of the impact a leader can have when they follow God's commandments. His faithfulness brought stability to Judah.

Influence of Family
The mention of Jerusha and Zadok highlights the influence of family and heritage. It encourages believers to consider the spiritual legacy they are building.

Partial Obedience
While Jotham did what was right, the high places were not removed. This serves as a caution against partial obedience to God’s commands.

Faithfulness in Adversity
Jotham's reign occurred during a time of political and spiritual challenges. His example encourages believers to remain faithful despite external pressures.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Jotham's age at the start of his reign influence your understanding of his leadership qualities and challenges?

2. In what ways can the influence of a godly family, as seen with Jerusha and Zadok, impact one's spiritual journey today?

3. How does Jotham's reign compare to other kings of Judah in terms of faithfulness to God, and what lessons can we learn from this comparison?

4. What are the "high places" in our lives that we might be neglecting to remove, and how can we address them?

5. How can we apply the lessons from Jotham's reign to our roles in leadership, whether in the church, family, or community?

Connections to Other Scriptures

2 Chronicles 27
This 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 1:1
Isaiah's prophetic ministry began during the reign of Jotham, indicating the spiritual climate and challenges of the time.

2 Kings 15:34-35
These verses further describe Jotham's reign, noting his adherence to God's ways, yet also mentioning the continued existence of high places, which were contrary to God's commands.

Sermons

Some Lessons from the History of Kings	D. Thomas	2 Kings 15:1-38
A Good Reign	J. Orr	2 Kings 15:32-38

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, Zechariah

Places

Abel-beth-maacah, Assyria, Damascus, Galilee, Gilead, Hazor, Ibleam, Ijon, Janoah, Jerusalem, Kedesh, Samaria, Syria, Tirzah

Topics

Daughter, Jerusalem, Jerusha, Jeru'sha, Mother's, Reign, Reigned, Reigning, Ruling, Sixteen, Twenty, Twenty-five, Zadok

Dictionary 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 Bible

Meditations 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

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