2 Kings 15:34 – “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father Uzziah had done.”
Extended Explanation
This verse speaks about Jotham, the king of Judah, and provides a summary of his character and reign. It states that Jotham “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord,” which is a positive spiritual evaluation of his leadership. Like his father Uzziah, Jotham followed the Lord and sought to lead Judah according to God’s commands. This is notable because not all kings of Judah were described in such a favorable light. Many had failed to uphold the standards God had set, but Jotham stands out as one who was faithful.
However, while Jotham followed in his father Uzziah’s footsteps in doing what was right, it is worth noting that his father had a downfall due to pride. Uzziah had entered the temple to burn incense, a duty reserved for priests, and was struck with leprosy as a consequence (2 Chronicles 26:16-21). Jotham seems to have learned from his father’s mistakes and ruled with humility and faithfulness.
Historical Context
Jotham reigned over Judah during a time of relative stability, though the threat of Assyria was looming over the region. His father, Uzziah, had been a powerful and successful king, bringing prosperity to Judah. But Uzziah’s reign ended tragically after he disobeyed God by arrogantly assuming the role of a priest. Jotham, having witnessed his father’s downfall, likely approached his own reign with a greater sense of humility and obedience to God.
During Jotham’s reign, Judah faced external threats, particularly from the northern kingdom of Israel and Aram (Syria). Yet, Jotham managed to keep the kingdom secure and strengthen it through various building projects, such as fortifying the walls of Jerusalem and constructing defensive towers (2 Chronicles 27:3-4).
Although Jotham ruled well, the spiritual condition of the people was not as strong as it should have been. While he was faithful to God, the high places—where people continued to worship in ways that did not fully align with God’s commands—were not removed. This indicates that while Jotham was personally obedient to God, he did not completely eradicate the nation’s tendency toward compromise in their worship practices.
Theological Implications
Theologically, this verse highlights the importance of faithful leadership and the role of a king in guiding a nation toward God. Jotham’s faithfulness is commended, but the lingering presence of the high places shows that even a good leader cannot fully ensure the spiritual purity of a nation. His obedience to God serves as a model for what leadership should look like, but it also reminds us of the limits of human leadership. Only complete reliance on God can bring about full restoration and spiritual renewal.
Jotham’s story also illustrates the importance of learning from the mistakes of previous generations. His father Uzziah had been faithful for much of his reign but stumbled at the end due to pride. Jotham appears to have avoided this pitfall, showing the value of humility and submission to God’s authority.
Literary Analysis
This verse uses a familiar formula found throughout the Books of Kings and Chronicles to evaluate the reign of a king. The phrase “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord” is used for kings who were faithful to God, while the opposite phrase, “did evil in the eyes of the Lord,” is reserved for those who led the nation into idolatry or disobedience.
By comparing Jotham to his father Uzziah, the text places Jotham within a broader narrative of Judah’s kingship, where faithfulness to God is the key measure of a king’s success. However, it is also implied that Jotham, while faithful, was not able to fully reform the nation, as the high places were not removed. This creates a tension between personal righteousness and national spiritual health.
Biblical Cross-References
- 2 Chronicles 27:2: Chronicles gives a similar evaluation of Jotham, noting that he “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord,” but also mentions that the people continued in corrupt practices.
- 2 Kings 15:3: Jotham’s father, Uzziah, is also described as having done what was right in the eyes of the Lord, though his later pride led to his downfall.
- 2 Kings 14:3: Similar language is used for King Amaziah, indicating a pattern in the way the Bible evaluates the spiritual condition of Judah’s kings.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse serves as a reminder of the importance of personal faithfulness to God, especially for those in leadership. Jotham’s example shows that it is possible to lead with integrity and righteousness, even in the face of external pressures or the imperfect spiritual condition of those around us. His faithfulness to God sets a standard for how we should live—striving to do what is right in God’s eyes, even if the culture around us is compromised.
This verse also encourages believers to be mindful of the influence they have on others. While Jotham’s personal obedience is commended, the fact that the high places were not removed shows that true spiritual reform is a communal effort. We are called not only to live in obedience but to lead others toward a deeper relationship with God as well.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love for His people is evident in the way He continues to raise up faithful leaders like Jotham, even when the nation as a whole is not fully devoted to Him. Jotham’s reign is a testimony to God’s patience and mercy. Even though Judah was not completely free from idolatry, God blessed Jotham for his obedience and allowed him to rule in peace and stability.
God’s love is also seen in His willingness to guide and support those who seek to do what is right. Jotham was not a perfect leader, but he was faithful to God, and God blessed his efforts to lead Judah well. This reflects God’s desire for relationship and His willingness to work through imperfect people to accomplish His purposes.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jotham’s reign points to the need for a greater King, one who would lead with perfect righteousness and bring about true spiritual reform. While Jotham was faithful, he could not fully remove the idolatry and compromise in the land. Jesus Christ, the ultimate King in the line of David, came to do what no earthly king could—lead His people into a perfect relationship with God.
Jesus fulfilled the role of the perfect leader, doing what was right in the eyes of the Lord in every way. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus not only removed the “high places” of sin and idolatry from our lives, but He also made a way for us to be fully reconciled to God. In Jesus, we see the fulfillment of the promise of a King who would lead His people in perfect righteousness and faithfulness.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- How does Jotham’s example of faithfulness challenge us to live in obedience to God, even when the culture around us may not be fully aligned with His ways?
- What lessons can we learn from Jotham’s ability to avoid the mistakes of his father, Uzziah? How can we ensure that we learn from the mistakes of those who have gone before us?
- In what ways does Jesus fulfill the role of the perfect King that Jotham and other earthly kings could not? How does His leadership inspire us to live in faithfulness and obedience?
- How can we, like Jotham, seek to lead others toward greater faithfulness to God, even if we are not in positions of formal leadership? How does this verse encourage us to be a positive spiritual influence on those around us?