◄ 2 Kings 15:38 ►
And Jotham rested with his fathers and was buried with them in the City of David his father. And his son Ahaz reigned in his place.
Study Bible
And Jotham rested with his fathers
This phrase indicates the death of Jotham, the king of Judah. The expression "rested with his fathers" is a common biblical euphemism for death, suggesting a peaceful passing and a joining with ancestors. It reflects the belief in an afterlife and the continuation of one's lineage. Jotham's reign was marked by relative stability and faithfulness to God, as noted in 2 Kings 15:34, where he is described as doing what was right in the eyes of the Lord.

and was buried with them in the City of David his father.
The City of David refers to Jerusalem, specifically the area that was the original stronghold captured by King David. Being buried in the City of David was an honor, signifying Jotham's legitimate and respected place in the Davidic line. This burial location underscores the importance of the Davidic covenant, which promised that David's descendants would continue to rule. Archaeological evidence supports the existence of royal tombs in this area, though specific identifications remain debated.

And his son Ahaz reigned in his place.
Ahaz's succession to the throne marks a significant transition. Unlike his father, Ahaz is noted for his unfaithfulness to God, as detailed in 2 Kings 16. His reign is characterized by idolatry and political alliances that compromised Judah's spiritual integrity. This transition highlights the recurring biblical theme of the faithfulness of one generation not guaranteeing the same in the next. Ahaz's reign sets the stage for the prophetic ministry of Isaiah, who warned against the very alliances Ahaz pursued.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Rezin
King of Aram (Syria) who was an adversary of Judah. His actions against Judah were part of God's judgment.

2. Pekah son of Remaliah
King of Israel who allied with Rezin to attack Judah. His reign was marked by idolatry and political instability.

3. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, which was under threat from external enemies due to its own disobedience to God.

4. The LORD
The covenant God of Israel, who orchestrates events as part of His divine plan and judgment.

5. Aram (Syria)
A neighboring nation to Israel and Judah, often in conflict with them.
Teaching Points
Divine Sovereignty in Judgment
God uses nations and leaders to accomplish His purposes, even in judgment. This reminds us of His ultimate control over world events.

Consequences of Disobedience
Judah's troubles were a direct result of their disobedience to God. This serves as a warning to remain faithful and obedient to God's commands.

The Role of Prophets
Prophets like Isaiah provided guidance and reassurance during times of crisis. We should seek God's wisdom and guidance through His Word and prayer.

Trust in God, Not Alliances
Judah's reliance on foreign alliances rather than God led to further complications. We are encouraged to place our trust in God rather than worldly solutions.

God's Faithfulness
Despite Judah's unfaithfulness, God remained faithful to His covenant promises, offering hope and redemption. This is a reminder of God's enduring faithfulness to us.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the alliance between Rezin and Pekah against Judah illustrate the consequences of turning away from God?

2. In what ways can we see God's sovereignty at work in the events described in 2 Kings 15:38?

3. How does the response of Judah's leadership to the threat from Rezin and Pekah compare to how we should respond to challenges in our own lives?

4. What lessons can we learn from the role of prophets like Isaiah during this period of Judah's history?

5. How can we apply the principle of trusting in God rather than worldly solutions to our current personal or communal challenges?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 7
This chapter provides a broader context for the alliance between Rezin and Pekah against Judah, highlighting God's promise to protect Judah despite the threat.

2 Kings 16
Details the reign of Ahaz, king of Judah, and his response to the threat from Rezin and Pekah, including his appeal to Assyria for help.

2 Chronicles 28
Offers a parallel account of the events and further insight into the spiritual and political climate of Judah during this time.
Sermons
Some Lessons from the History of KingsD. Thomas 2 Kings 15:1-38
A Good ReignJ. 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
Ahaz, Buried, David, Fathers, Jotham, Lieth, Reign, Reigned, Rest, Rested, Slept, Stead, Succeeded, Town
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 15:1-38

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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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