Jotham slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father, and Ahaz his son reigned in his place.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Notice how the verse doesn't just state Jotham died, but that he "slept with his fathers" and was "buried with his fathers." This emphasizes a sense of continuity and belonging within the Davidic line, even as a new king takes the throne, highlighting the ongoing covenant and legacy despite human mortality. It's a subtle but powerful reminder that each generation is part of a larger story.
Jotham slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father, and Ahaz his son reigned in his place.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse concludes a section detailing the reigns of Judah's kings, specifically highlighting the peaceful transition from Jotham to his son Ahaz. It follows Jotham's solid but not entirely godly rule, which still saw idolatry and compromise present in the land, and it directly sets up the more tumultuous and faithless reign of Ahaz that is about to unfold.
Some reigns are marked by dramatic battles or sweeping reforms. Others, like Jotham's, are defined by quiet endurance. What does faithfulness look like when the world around you is chaotic?
A Legacy of Quiet Service
This verse marks the end of King Jotham's reign. While not remembered for grand spiritual movements or military conquests, the text emphasizes his faithfulness.
Jotham's story reminds us that faithfulness isn't always loud. It's often found in consistent obedience and diligent stewardship, even when it doesn't make headlines.
Jotham was a good king, but his son Ahaz plunged Judah into deep sin. How can the spiritual legacy of parents impact their children, even generations later?
A King's Shadow
The transition of power to Ahaz immediately follows the description of Jotham's good reign. This juxtaposition is stark and carries significant weight.
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Understand the original words
shakhav im avotav · Hebrew Verb Phrase
A term used throughout the Old Testament as a euphemism for death, signifying that the person has joined their ancestors in Sheol or the grave, emphasizing the continuation of the ancestral line.
ir david · Hebrew Noun Phrase
The historical capital of the Kingdom of Judah, captured by David from the Jebusites and established as the center of royal authority and the place where the temple was eventually built.
This verse marks the transition between two kings in Judah during a tumultuous period of increasing Assyrian power and the eventual collapse of the northern kingdom of Israel. Jotham's righteous reign was overshadowed by lingering issues, setting the stage for his wicked son Ahaz's disastrous rule.
c. 786-771 BC
Reign of Jeroboam II in Israel
Jeroboam II, a powerful king of the northern Kingdom of Israel, presided over a period of significant prosperity and territorial expansion, though also spiritual decline.
c. 790-739 BC
Reign of Uzziah (Azariah) in Judah
Uzziah ruled Judah for over fifty years, enjoying military success and economic growth. He strengthened Jerusalem but overstepped his bounds by attempting to offer incense in the temple, for which he was struck with leprosy.
c. 750-730 BC— this verse
Reign of Jotham in Judah
Jotham, Uzziah's son, ruled as co-regent and then king. He was a generally righteous king who repaired the temple and expanded Jerusalem's defenses, but the high places of worship remained in use.
c. 740 BC
Assyrian Expansion begins
Under Tiglath-Pileser III, the Neo-Assyrian Empire began a period of aggressive expansion, exerting increasing pressure on the smaller kingdoms of Israel and Judah.
c. 739-715 BC
Reign of Ahaz in Judah
Ahaz was a deeply ungodly king who followed the ways of the northern kings. He faced military threats from Syria and Israel and made disastrous alliances, even sacrificing his own son to pagan gods.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Destruction of Israel
The Neo-Assyrian Empire conquered the northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting its population and ending its existence as a distinct nation.
This passage describes the death and burial of King David, setting a precedent for the way kings were interred and remembered in the "city of David."
2 Kings 20:21This verse marks the death of King Hezekiah and mentions his burial in the "city of David," reinforcing the continuity of royal burial practices.
Matthew 1:11This genealogy traces the lineage from David through Solomon and later kings, including those who reigned in the "city of David," showing the historical scope of this royal line.
1 Chronicles 29:30This verse summarizes David's reign and the succession of Solomon, highlighting David's lasting legacy and the established line of kings that continued in his city.
Notice how the verse doesn't just state Jotham died, but that he "slept with his fathers" and was "buried with his fathers." This emphasizes a sense of continuity and belonging within the Davidic line, even as a new king takes the throne, highlighting the ongoing covenant and legacy despite human mortality. It's a subtle but powerful reminder that each generation is part of a larger story.
This verse concludes a section detailing the reigns of Judah's kings, specifically highlighting the peaceful transition from Jotham to his son Ahaz. It follows Jotham's solid but not entirely godly rule, which still saw idolatry and compromise present in the land, and it directly sets up the more tumultuous and faithless reign of Ahaz that is about to unfold.
This verse concludes a section detailing the reigns of Judah's kings, specifically highlighting the peaceful transition from Jotham to his son Ahaz. It follows Jotham's solid but not entirely godly rule, which still saw idolatry and compromise present in the land, and it directly sets up the more tumultuous and faithless reign of Ahaz that is about to unfold.
"Jotham slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father, and Ahaz his son reigned in his place." — Notice how the verse doesn't just state Jotham died, but that he "slept with his fathers" and was "buried with his fathers." This emphasizes a sense of continuity and belonging within the Davidic lin…
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Last reviewed October 2026