2 Kings 15:32

“32 In the second year of Pekah the son of Remaliah king of Israel began Jotham the son of Uzziah king of Judah to reign.”

Historical Context:2 Kings is part of the Old Testament and specifically belongs to the historical books of the Bible. It records the history of the divided kingdom of Israel and Judah, focusing on the various kings who ruled during that time. This verse specifically mentions two kings, Pekah of Israel and Jotham of Judah.

• Kings of Israel and Judah:

In the preceding chapters of 2 Kings, the kingdom of Israel had experienced a series of unstable reigns with different kings taking power through assassinations. Pekah, the son of Remaliah, became the king of Israel after assassinating his predecessor, Pekahiah. Meanwhile, in Judah, Jotham ascended to the throne after his father, Uzziah, became leprous and had to live in isolation.

Jotham’s Reign:According to the verse, Jotham began his reign in the second year of Pekah’s rule. Jotham ruled over the southern kingdom of Judah for a total of sixteen years (2 Kings 15:33). During his reign, Jotham continued the reforms initiated by his father Uzziah and sought to maintain the worship of God in Judah.

Spiritual Assessment:Although the verse primarily focuses on the succession of kings, it provides us with a snapshot of the political and spiritual climate during this period. The division between Israel and Judah had weakened both kingdoms, leading to political instability and unfaithfulness to God. However, despite the challenges, Jotham’s reign was marked by efforts to uphold the worship of God in Judah.

Overall, 2 Kings 15:32 emphasizes the historical transition of power between Pekah and Jotham. It also serves as a reminder of the spiritual challenges faced by the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah and the faithfulness of some of the kings, like Jotham, in upholding the worship of God.