2 Kings 15:34 kjv
And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD: he did according to all that his father Uzziah had done.
2 Kings 15:34 nkjv
And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD; he did according to all that his father Uzziah had done.
2 Kings 15:34 niv
He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Uzziah had done.
2 Kings 15:34 esv
And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah had done.
2 Kings 15:34 nlt
Jotham did what was pleasing in the LORD's sight. He did everything his father, Uzziah, had done.
2 Kings 15 34 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Did What Was Right in the Eyes of the Lord (Righteous Kingship) | ||
| 2 Kgs 12:2 | Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest. | Joash's early righteousness under priestly guidance. |
| 2 Kgs 14:3 | Amaziah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, yet not like David his father. | Amaziah's righteousness was qualified, unlike David's steadfastness. |
| 2 Kgs 15:3 | And he [Azariah/Uzziah] did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. | Directly preceding verse, shows Uzziah's own righteous lineage. |
| 2 Kgs 18:3 | And he [Hezekiah] did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that David his father had done. | Hezekiah is compared to David, a benchmark of righteousness. |
| 2 Kgs 22:2 | And he [Josiah] did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in all the way of David his father. | Josiah as a model of adherence to God's ways, like David. |
| 1 Kgs 15:11 | And Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as David his father had done. | Asa as another righteous king who followed David's example. |
| Deut 6:18 | You shall do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord... | Divine command for righteous living for God's people. |
| Ps 19:8 | The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart... | The nature of God's commands as inherently righteous and beneficial. |
| Is 56:1 | Thus says the Lord: "Keep justice, and do righteousness..." | Call for God's people to live justly and righteously. |
| Jer 7:23 | But this command I gave them: ‘Obey my voice, and I will be your God...' | Emphasizes obedience to God's voice as fundamental to righteousness. |
| Rom 12:2 | Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind... | Living a transformed life aligned with God's will is righteousness. |
| Phil 4:8 | Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just... think about these things. | Exhortation to think on what is morally good and righteous. |
| In the Eyes of the Lord (God as Judge) | ||
| 1 Sam 16:7 | ...for the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. | God's ultimate judgment is based on inner character, not outward show. |
| Prov 16:2 | All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit. | Human self-justification contrasted with God's perfect judgment. |
| Jer 17:10 | "I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways..." | God's deep knowledge and just recompense for human actions. |
| Heb 4:13 | And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. | Reinforces God's omnipresence and perfect knowledge. |
| According to his father Uzziah (Generational Influence & Legacy) | ||
| Gen 18:19 | For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord... | Importance of patriarchal example in teaching righteousness to offspring. |
| Ps 78:6-7 | ...that the next generation might know them... so that they should set their hope in God... | The role of passing on God's truth to future generations. |
| Prov 22:6 | Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. | Principle of formative guidance by parents impacting future behavior. |
| 2 Chr 26:4-5 | He [Uzziah] did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that Amaziah his father had done. He sought God... | Details Uzziah's early righteousness and seeking of God, which Jotham emulated. |
| 2 Chr 26:16 | But when he [Uzziah] was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he acted corruptly against the Lord his God... | Shows Uzziah's later failure, which Jotham implicitly did not emulate. |
| Eph 5:1 | Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. | The New Testament principle of imitation of good example, especially God. |
| Col 1:10 | ...to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him... | New Testament concept of living a life pleasing to God. |
2 Kings 15 verses
2 Kings 15 34 Meaning
2 Kings 15:34 states that King Jotham of Judah, like many of his righteous predecessors, "did what was right in the eyes of the Lord." This indicates his reign adhered to God's covenant commands and standards, pleasing Him. The verse further qualifies his righteousness by stating it was "according to all that his father Uzziah had done." This signifies Jotham's positive emulation of the faithful and successful aspects of King Uzziah's long reign, particularly Uzziah's early years of seeking God before his act of sacrilege.
2 Kings 15 34 Context
King Jotham's reign (c. 750–735 BC) in Judah occurred during a period of complex political shifts, specifically the rise of the Assyrian Empire under Tiglath-Pileser III. Chapter 15 of 2 Kings documents a rapid succession of kings, marked by instability and assassinations, particularly in the northern kingdom of Israel, and a mixed record for the kings of Judah. Jotham ascended the throne after his father Uzziah (also known as Azariah) had been struck with leprosy for presumptuously offering incense in the Temple (2 Kgs 15:5; 2 Chr 26:16-21). For much of Jotham's early reign, he served as co-regent while Uzziah remained alive but confined, ruling the palace and land. This verse thus speaks of Jotham's individual faithfulness during a challenging transition, drawing upon the positive, foundational examples from his father's extensive and initially prosperous reign. His actions stood in stark contrast to the rapidly deteriorating moral and political climate often found in Israel during the same period.
2 Kings 15 34 Word analysis
- And he did: The subject "he" refers to Jotham. This phrase, standard in the evaluations of Israelite and Judean monarchs, introduces the king's character assessment. It highlights his actions, not merely his intentions.
- what was right: Hebrew hayyashar (הַיָּשָׁר). Derived from the root yashar (יָשָׁר), meaning "straight," "upright," "just," "ethically correct." This term denotes conformity to God's laws and moral standards. It signifies adherence to the covenant requirements set by Yahweh, often relating to upholding justice, practicing faithfulness, and rejecting idolatry. It's a key biblical metric for evaluating kings.
- in the eyes of the Lord: Hebrew b'einei Adonai (בְּעֵינֵי יְהוָה). This crucial phrase establishes God as the supreme and ultimate judge of a king's conduct, rather than human opinion or political success. It underscores that true righteousness is not merely external or performative but is seen and evaluated by the omniscient God who discerns the heart and motives.
- according to all that his father Uzziah had done: Hebrew k'khol asher asa Uziyahu aviv (כְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה עֻזִּיָּהוּ אָבִיו). This clause specifies the positive model Jotham followed. Uzziah's reign (also known as Azariah) was notably successful and prosperous, initially characterized by devotion to God (2 Chr 26:4-5), military strength, economic development, and administrative capability. However, Uzziah later overstepped his boundaries and performed priestly functions, leading to leprosy (2 Chr 26:16-21). The phrasing in 2 Kings 15:34 implies Jotham meticulously emulated the righteous aspects of Uzziah's example, avoiding his father's final fatal flaw. This indicates discerning obedience and the selective adoption of positive elements of his father's rule, especially those reflecting true piety and obedience to divine ordinances.
2 Kings 15 34 Bonus section
It is important to note that while Jotham emulated the positive aspects of Uzziah's reign, 2 Chronicles 27:2 clarifies that "the high places were not removed, and the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places." This common caveat found in the description of many "righteous" kings indicates that while Jotham personally followed God's ways, he did not fully eradicate the popular, syncretistic worship sites which often facilitated spiritual compromise among the people. His righteousness was personal and exemplary in his direct conduct, administration, and fidelity to God, yet it highlights the ongoing spiritual struggle within Judah, even under good kings. Jotham's commitment is also shown through his building projects, such as strengthening the Temple's "Upper Gate" (2 Chr 27:3), indicating a concern for true worship, even amidst prevailing challenges to singular worship of the Lord.
2 Kings 15 34 Commentary
2 Kings 15:34 concisely characterizes King Jotham of Judah as a righteous monarch, fulfilling the crucial Deuteronomic ideal of a king who walks in God's ways. The recurring phrase "did what was right in the eyes of the Lord" serves as the standard evaluation for the kings of Judah, indicating alignment with God's covenant commands. Jotham's particular strength was his adherence to the positive aspects of his father Uzziah's long and largely successful reign. Uzziah initially sought God and received blessing and prosperity. Jotham evidently drew wisdom from this foundational faithfulness, reinforcing a legacy of righteousness even as the larger historical context foreshadowed impending Assyrian threats and Israel's decline. Although Uzziah succumbed to pride later in life, Jotham demonstrated a discriminating obedience, choosing to emulate the faithfulness and adherence to God's law that marked the earlier, positive phase of his father's rule. This highlights the importance of individual moral choice and the perpetuation of godly legacies within leadership, yet with the necessary caveat of discerningly learning from the complete trajectory of those who have gone before.