Book of 2 Kings - Chapter 15 - Verse 33

This verse presents us with historical information about the reign of a king in Jerusalem. It tells us that the king was twenty-five years old when he began his sixteen-year reign. The mention of his mother's name, Jerusha, the daughter of Zadok, provides us with a glimpse into his lineage and family background. In biblical times, genealogy and ancestry were crucial in determining one's legitimacy and authority as a ruler. By including this detail, the verse emphasizes the importance of heritage and lineage in the context of kingship. The mention of Jerusha's father, Zadok, also holds significance as he is known to have been a high priest in the Bible. The verse not only gives us factual information about the king's age and reign but also highlights the importance of ancestral ties and the role of family in ancient Israelite society.

When looking at the theological interpretation of the verse stating the age of King Jotham when he began to reign and the length of his reign, we can see a correlation to the patterns in the rulership of ancient Israel and Judah. In this case, Jotham ascended to the throne at the relatively young age of twenty-five, which was not uncommon in biblical times. It's noteworthy that his mother's name, Jerusha, is mentioned, as maternal lineage was significant in determining legitimacy and influence in the ancient world. The mention of Jerusha being the daughter of Zadok also holds significance, as Zadok was a high priest who played a crucial role in the religious life of Israel. This connection to a prominent priestly family could suggest that Jotham was raised with a strong foundation in faith.